Post it!

I went over to that blog and all I can say is don't feed the trolls.

I'd also like to see the McManamy freakout.

"Can I just say that John McManamy, author the Knowledge Is Necessity blog and the book "Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder," is an out-of-touch fool?"

Out-of-touch is a good way to put it. I used to have this problem when I was younger where I would feel involuntary empathetic embarrassment stomach pains in response to awkward television characters. Probably wouldn't have ever remembered this problem had I not checked out McManamy's video intro for his blog.

It's about "the art of knowing thyself," lol. "One day I may be writing about something I just learned in the course of talking with an expert," 'cause John's all casually up in the business of experts like that.

Before I learned that no objective tests for any psych disorder exist and that anyone who consults a "mental health professional" gets a dsm number, etc., I admired McManamy and his ilk for making people with psych labels feel deserving of special treatment (as if AOT and involuntary commitment help anyone).

Now, it's not so much that I dislike him. I feel more fear and some pity. I know he's a true believer, his need to identify as mentally ill a crucial part of his identity, but his site really harms people pushing his biopsych myths as established scientific facts as he does...in other words...post the exchange!

Post it! (2)

I visited his site one time and all I can remember is that the video is so ridiculous that I remember laughing and laughing.
I looked for any good content and found nothing.
You should not consider it as a offense Philip!
I would be very concerned if he praised you.
Being insulted by some people is a compliment and a honor.

POST IT!

McManamy is an ass, and carries some sort of arrogant self-appointed theory he is an expert of anything.

That book was reviewed by a prominent medical journal and it was totally dissed.

I'm sure his crony friend Herb will be patting his back on his blog in comments.

McManamy won't stop harrassing his ex wife, which is sick. She should sue him for defamation.

I watched his video for like 20 seconds, and realized that he resembles Craig Pullin, AKA The Truckie River Killer on the Comedy Central Show "Reno 911!" Craig was a serial killer executed by lethal injection.

Does McManamy read this blog - I guess he does?

Anyway, the trouble with people who need things to be known as facts (eg, "Philip Dawdy is anti-psychiatry"), is that it's likely to be highly disruptive to them to have that belief countermanded.

John, do yourself a favour and reframe: "some of Philip Dawdy's views are indicative of anti-psychiatry, but then others aren't". You'll feel much better for it.

Philip, I wouldn't post that conversation... If he struggles to incorporate alternative views within his reality, then he's got enough on his plate, I reckon.

Matt

Yes please, Philip. I'd love to read that.

This McManamy is so marginalized and inconsequential at this juncture; it would probably behoove Philip to just ignore him.

He only has a hand full of whack job readers after all; which laughably include "Herb" and "Gina Pera" from the PhARMA/DSM-V/VSN Lovers Association.

In my opinion, Philip should just let him wallow in his own misery, jealousy, and complete ignorance over at his local NAMI (dating club) meetings.

"John, do yourself a favour and reframe: 'some of Philip Dawdy's views are indicative of anti-psychiatry, but then others aren't.' You'll feel much better for it."

It's even funnier given the "thesis" for McManamy's post in which he tries to pigeonhole Philip is that there are two kinds of people: 1) those who generalize everything to fit their views ("bad") and 2) those who appreciate the nuance of each case as it comes ("good"). The cognitive dissonance is sort of beautiful in the Escher "hands drawing each other" sense.

He's awful; just ignore him.

I personally wouldn't care if he called me an anti-psychiatrist or not... psychiatry ruined my life...

You may also add self-absorbed to the description of McManamy.
Andrew

Bipolar Porch. The very latest on breaking Bipolar Disorder news...

I should just add to my other comment (despite my obviously vociferous disagreement with Philip's decision to publicize the emails) that it was not personal.

Because I know both McMan and his ex-wife personally from when I lived in New Jersey near them, and trust me, I have no sympathy for McMan whatsoever as far as his personal life goes.

Speaking as a psychiatrist, which is not my preferred identity (I love it when people think I'm a social worker), I think you are one of the most energetic, intelligent, and BALANCED critics of contemporary US psychiatry. It's clear that the distinction between being anti-psychiatry and being a critic of psychiatry is important to you, and it's equally clear that Herr McManamy is just not capable of understanding these important nuances.

We love you Philip. Don't let ignoramuses distract you from your important work.