26. Is mental illness contagious?

There is a disturbing trend amongst teens in the U.S. seeking to identify as “mentally ill” and achieve a diagnosis as a means of establishing a group identity.

Human behaviors and emotions are contagious. We learn behaviors through the modeling of others to be accepted into the group. This has always existed.

What is contributing to this dramatic increase?

On today’s podcast we discuss the contagion effect on mental illness.

Center for Integrated Behavioral Health - https://www.centerforibh.com/

Roger K. McFillin, Psy.D., ABPP - https://twitter.com/DrMcFillin_PsyD?s=20

Radically Genuine Podcast email - [email protected]

If you are in a crisis or think you have an emergency, call your doctor or 911. If you're considering suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a skilled trained counselor.

Additional Resources:

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) on Instagram

18:30 - ABC News: Connection between TikTok and teens struggling with mental health

21:00 - Damon Centola How Behavior Spreads: the Science of Complex Contagions

21:30 - Hidden Brain: The Snowball Effect

50:30 - The Simple Rules of Social Contagion

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