Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts

Share this post

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts
Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts
When scientists' anxiety disorder interferes with other people's lives
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

When scientists' anxiety disorder interferes with other people's lives

It's a problem when it interferes with your life, but when it affects others, it's a disaster

Vinay Prasad's avatar
Vinay Prasad
Sep 16, 2022
∙ Paid
131

Share this post

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts
Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts
When scientists' anxiety disorder interferes with other people's lives
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
39
Share

A key concept in psychiatry is that an idea or compulsion or personality trait can be acceptable if it doesn’t bother you, but becomes harmful and pathological when it interferes with your daily life. It's ok to be obsessive, but it is obsessive compulsive disorder if it interferes with your day to day.

What word do we use to describe doctors, scientists and policy makers whose personal mental health issues affect their policy recommendations? The lives of others? If someone's anxiety makes them more likely to support school closure, masking 2 year olds or lockdown, how should we consider them?

It is pathologic for anxiety to harm your own life, but I believe we enter the realm of catastrophe when personal mental health issues affect sweeping policy matters. Let's consider some examples of vocal policy analysts (doctors, scientists, professors) who’s comments might be concerning.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Vinay Prasad
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More