Mark McDonald, M.D.

11/21/2025

I've been reflecting on how a breakdown of shared values in our society leaves me feeling increasingly disoriented and doubtful of what is considered normal.
I recently experienced this firsthand at a comedy show, where a strange encounter involving a transgender woman and a couple blatantly mirrored the rampant narcissism and extreme individualism that has become all too common.
Later, an unsettling interaction at a cocktail bar only deepened my concerns, as I witnessed behavior that, while clearly marked by mental instability, was met with no disapproval or corrective action.
I see this trend as an assault on our social fabric, where tolerance has morphed into complacency and where old-fashioned values of modesty and communal respect are being eroded in favor of unchecked self-expression.
I believe many share my discomfort with these changes, yet few are willing to openly challenge what has become a toxic celebration of extremism over healthy societal norms.

Living amongst the sick can make it difficult to know

11/14/2025

I've long believed that therapy has lost its way by banishing morality from its core, deadening its true purpose. I've seen therapists urged to avoid value judgments in favor of a detached, almost celebratory embrace of a secular, feminist ideology that shuns responsibility. I insist that therapy must address right and wrong, calling out destructive behaviors rather than simply offering empty empathy. I no longer view myself as a therapist, having left behind an institution that chose compliance over ethical courage during our nation's toughest times. I now practice as a doctor who believes that genuine transformation is only possible when moral accountability is at the center of healing.

No morality = no growth

11/06/2025

I recently spoke with a 39-year-old woman who expects a wealthy, remote-working husband to follow her career and buy her a beachfront home while keeping her family happy on the east coast.
Her unrealistic demands struck me as a clear sign of how chronic financial stress has warped the judgment of many middle-class Americans.
I believe that the collapse of genuine, economically balanced relationships is a direct result of systemic failures—exorbitant taxes, a manipulated housing market, and a failing education system—that have hollowed out our middle class.
From my perspective, both genders are reacting very differently to this crisis: while some women seem to disavow harsh economic realities by clinging to outdated roles, many men are left feeling utterly hopeless.
It is clear to me that until we address these deep financial issues, our personal relationships and our cultural future will continue to suffer.

Could crazy be caused by impoverishment?

10/31/2025

I've been hearing from realtors and friends alike about how location is the one unchangeable factor in choosing a home, and once you’re there, you're stuck with what the surrounding area becomes.
I've seen how high taxes, rising crime, failing schools, and the decline of public services have worn people down, leading many to consider packing up and moving elsewhere.
I've felt the exhaustion from watching Los Angeles deteriorate into a place lacking authentic community, where isolation and social media have fostered narcissism and inauthentic interactions.
I've noticed that even cities like Seattle, while offering agreeable weather, are not immune to the mental and emotional instability that plagues urban living.
I've come to believe that if you reside in one of these tortured urban centers, waiting it out might no longer be the best option, and it could be time to move on.

Americans struggle with abandoning their dying cities

10/28/2025

https://lumennews14.substack.com/p/los-angeles-psychiatrist-sums-up

Child psychiatrist Mark McDonald, M.D. warned that the rise of transgenderism among children and adolescents has led to “a medical cultural emergency” fostered by a medical system designed “against the health and safety and well-being of these young people.”

10/26/2025

10/23/2025

I've long maintained that the crisis in modern masculinity stems from the destruction of essential connections between men.
I've observed that rebuilding relationships with peers, mentors, and mentees is vital for developing and passing on true masculine traits like physical strength, courage, honor, and mastery.
I believe that today's institutions, particularly universities, have abandoned the traditional role of equipping young men with practical skills, leaving them economically and physically weakened by modern dietary habits and ideological education.
I argue that until cultural reform takes place, men must forge their own paths by forming societies that focus on authentic male bonding, even if it means facing criticism from feminists and those who have lost touch with traditional masculinity.
I also contend that a return to traditional gender roles, with women stepping back from the workforce, might create the conditions necessary for men to reclaim their rightful place, though this remains largely unacknowledged publicly.

Restoring broken connections

10/20/2025

Judy Mikovits and CA Educators for Medical Freedom

10/16/2025

I've been reflecting on the mounting masculinity crisis in our society, where falling testosterone levels, economic challenges, and a loss of traditional roles leave many men struggling to fulfill their potential.
I see that the roots of this crisis stretch back over a century, beginning with the industrial revolution and the dissolution of tight-knit communities that once provided men with clear, inherited roles and guidance.
I notice that as family structures and community organizations like the Boy Scouts have eroded, virtual life has further disconnected men from the deep, embodied connections necessary for developing true masculinity.
In my view, our hyper-feminized, anti-masculine culture offers little support, yet I believe solutions exist for those curious, motivated, and willing to risk reclaiming their lost sense of purpose.

It didn't start recently, but it has recently accelerated

10/09/2025

I've been watching how some women are choosing impulsive journeys over stable lives, and frankly, it's a recipe for disaster.
I recently saw a video of a woman who quit her job to backpack through Europe while expecting others to foot the bill for her adventures.
I believe that feminism has led many women to waste their prime years on self-indulgence with the promise of a bailout later, rather than taking responsibility for their choices.
I've noticed that poor decisions, like delaying serious relationships and financial planning, inevitably lead to loneliness and regret.
I see a double standard where men are held accountable for their mistakes, yet women seem able to escape the consequences of their imprudence.
It saddens me to witness this self-destructive path that leaves a generation of women isolated and unfulfilled.

Not every journey has a happy ending

10/07/2025

Speaking with Shae Matthews about the current crisis of masculinity.

Listen and explore men’s mental health solutions, how to be a healthy masculine man & overcoming the meaning crisis. Join our open conversation on liberation...

10/02/2025

I've been watching with dismay as psychotherapy devolves into a spectacle, much like journalism and medicine have before it.
I predicted this trend two years ago when I noticed new therapists’ headshots on psychologytoday.com starting to resemble dating app profiles.
I'm disturbed by the seductive imagery—hot, coy, and provocatively styled—which blurs the line between professional therapy and a cam-girl experience.
One practice in downtown Los Angeles epitomizes this shift, where nearly identical, attractive therapists seem more like a digital harem than serious mental health experts.
The ease of virtual sessions has paved the way for a market where the therapist’s visual appeal outweighs legitimate qualifications and in-person connection.
I now struggle to take most therapists seriously, as I watch the profession sink deeper into a world of validation without real challenge or authenticity.

The line between therapy and Only Fans has blurred