Bad Therapy cover art

Bad Therapy

Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up

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Bad Therapy

By: Abigail Shrier
Narrated by: Abigail Shrier
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About this listen

In virtually every way that can be measured, Gen Z's mental health is worse than that of previous generations. Youth suicide rates are climbing, antidepressant prescriptions for children are common, and the proliferation of mental health diagnoses has not stopped the trend. What has gone wrong with our youth?

In Bad Therapy, bestselling investigative journalist Abigail Shrier argues that the problem isn't the kids - it's the mental health experts. Mental health care can be lifesaving when properly applied, but that is not what's happening. Instead, children experiencing the normal pangs of adolescence and their anxious parents are seeking answers from therapists, who are only too happy to explore what might be wrong - and to make money doing so. No industry seems to turn away from the possibility of exponential growth, and our mental health industry is no exception. It asks children, again and again: How do you feel? Are you sure? By treating the well, it is making them sick, feeding normal kids with normal problems into the mental healthcare pipeline. It is minting patients faster than it can cure them.

Drawing on extensive research and interviews with doctors, parents, therapists and young people, Shrier enumerates the dangerous side effects of unnecessary or poorly executed mental health care. With clear eyes and compassion, she examines ways worried parents who think they must indulge their child's every feeling make matters worse, and she offers liberating advice for raising emotionally resilient and independent children.

Packed with relatable stories, devastating insights, and common-sense conclusions, Bad Therapy is a must-listen for anyone concerned about protecting the next generation.

©2024 Abigail Shrier (P)2024 Swift Press Audio
History & Commentary Parenting & Families Relationships Social Sciences

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gives you a good prespective on 'over' therapy

This book was recommended by my husband, who listened one of to the Joe Rogan podcast. He wanted me to know that he was anti therapy, and sometimes our kids just needs some tough love and 'get over it'. If you want a book that gives you another perspective of parenting, the 'less parenting' way, then this book is for you.
i still believe in therapy, but now have a more clearer expectation of it for myself and children.

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Insightful and important

From the beginning Abigail had my attention. The stories, examples, insights and perspective were, in my opinion very convincing. I have recommended it to several colleagues and friends

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Reality

Very well researched and written book that everyone should read. Im not even a parent, but the value in this book goes well beyond parenting. It puts together and explains why people (particularly of a younger generation) are the way they are, how in a matter of only a generation we've had such a stark change in human development/behavior and why society is going down the drain hole. A must read for anyone who thinks we could be heading in the wrong direction

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Every parent should read this!

The author wades into the sacrosanct pond of therapy and reveals that it is indeed for the most part a toxic swamp. An incredibly well researched, well written deep dive into why we should leave our kids alone!

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A must read

A detailed and well researched analysis of what is wrong with the current generation and what caused it. Abigail Shrier backs up her thesis with facts and observations. It’s so obvious when you think about it: if giving young people better access to dentists improves their oral health, why did giving them more access to therapists only make their mental health worse?

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this is the best parenting book ever!

what an eye opener. this book has changed the way I treat my children. the fear I have let then do things is crazy but watching then blossom and be happy and feel Trusted and responsible is the best. Abigail is an amazing writer. I truly look forward to her next book.

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Gentle Parenting is out

Fantastic book, so insightful. Raising kids to be respectful fuctioning humans doesn't feel so helpless now

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letting the evidence speak the truth

this book was really good at looking at the whole depth of research and literature and not just cherry picking to suit the narrative. it looked at the empirical evidence to understand how we have come to the situation we are today. then it goes through the ongoing research that's been out there and how it is deceptive. it's been points fruit and how to resolve these issues of today's society through evidence-based practise, not theoretical sciences which have been shown to further destroy the children of today. a must read for all parents who desire to have children who are raised, stable, respectful honouring authority and being truthful in all matters of life.

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What we need to hear

This is a book that all parents, teachers and politicians need to read. Some of the book might be a little outdated because some of the changes needed are finally being implemented such as banning phones at school! I highly recommend this book!!!

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Reassuring and unsettling at the same time.

This book says a lot of things I needed to hear as a parent - namely that parents are the experts on their own children, that it is our job to help our children grow, not to incapacitate them with diagnoses. It is unsettling to see the level of pathologising done by some teachers and other experts. I don't agree with everything Shrier says and think some points are a bit overblown - e.g. Some of the parenting resources she references are a limited representation and she misses significant aspects of actual gentle/respectful parenting.

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