Mark McDonald, M.D.

12/26/2025

Mouthing off again…

Todd Vande Hei is joined by Dr. Mark McDonald — psychiatrist, author, and one of the sharpest, most unapologetically clear voices on the psychological develo...

12/25/2025

I've noticed a worrying trend where "Happy Holidays" is replacing "Merry Christmas," and it feels like a deliberate ban on the very essence of Christmas.
To me, Christmas stands alone as a powerful symbol of Western tradition, personal responsibility, and unity that no other holiday evokes.
The shift away from "Merry Christmas" isn't merely about political correctness—it's a broader cultural departure that strips away the deep religious and familial significance of the holiday.
I deeply miss the days when everyone could freely wish one another a merry Christmas and I hope for a return to that unreserved celebration in our society.
Merry Christmas!

No Happy Holidays, please!

12/18/2025

I've been reflecting on how the tech revolution has blurred the line between what we perceive and what is truly valuable.
I worry that AI is pushing us toward a future where the real and the fabricated become indistinguishable.
I see our daily lives flooded with curated, non-contextual information that often masks the authenticity of true experiences.
I notice how social media encourages us to value polished images over the genuine substance of who we are.
I believe that the true measure of worth lies in intrinsic value—real-life experiences, personal growth, and actions that withstand the test of time.
I’m convinced that focusing on tactile, in-person encounters and seeking honest, third-party insights is the way to restore trust and accountability in our relationships and decisions.

Virtual curation hides what is real--and what we really need to know

12/11/2025

I've always been fascinated by the power of silence and the tension that builds in its space.
I've experienced firsthand how carefully timed pauses during speech can generate a magnetic presence, captivating audiences and creating emotional impact.
Speaking at numerous conferences since 2020 has shown me that rushing words only dilutes the message, whereas the art of pausing holds listeners in suspense.
I've come to believe that this principle isn’t just for public speaking—it can transform personal interactions, particularly in approaching women, where a moment of deliberate silence can leave an unforgettable impression.
I urge men to take a cue from great orators, embracing the pause to stand out in a world overloaded with constant noise.

It's not what you say--it's how you manage the silence

12/04/2025

I've been reflecting on Dr. Hannah Spier’s bold claims that our medical field, particularly psychiatry, is on the brink of collapse.
I see how the new diagnosis of AuDHD, merging distinct conditions like autism and ADHD, is being misused almost exclusively with women to mask underlying personality disorders.
I’m concerned that by labeling classic borderline behaviors as neurodevelopmental, we lose accountability and enable a damaging cycle for both patients and professionals.
I believe that psychiatry should strive for honest, accurate diagnoses rather than rebranding issues that it fails to address, further eroding the credibility of our field.
I wonder if it’s time to allow psychiatry, already overwhelmed by corrupted systems in education and medicine, to fall so that something more genuine and objective can rise.

The MDs are part of the problem

11/27/2025

It's Thanksgiving 2025 and I'm taking time to enjoy the holiday with my family.
I'm reflecting on the blessings of togetherness and gratitude this season.
Wishing you all a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

The one truly American holiday that everyone can enjoy

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