Helping a loved one exit a medical conspiracy wormhole
6 reported
A new book examines how to help family and friends who have fallen into dangerous alternative medicine practices, based on the author’s personal experience. Hannah McElhinney’s cousin Lauren died at age 37 after undergoing a risky, unproven treatment for chronic Lyme disease at a hospital in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. McElhinney argues that shaming loved ones with labels like “anti-vaxxer” or “quack” can drive them to conceal dangerous treatments. She recommends believing women’s pain and symptoms, as systemic invalidation erodes trust in mainstream medicine. McElhinney also advises “following the money” to expose exploitative practitioners who charge exorbitant fees for unproven treatments. She stresses staying tethered to loved ones even when they push family away, though acknowledges this may not always prevent tragedy.
What’s reported
Hannah McElhinney’s cousin Lauren was found in a coma at a hospital in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, after an unproven treatment for chronic Lyme disease, and died two days later at age 37.
McElhinney wrote the book “Wormhole” to examine the cultural and institutional forces behind Lauren’s path.
Lauren consumed chlorine dioxide (bleach) and bought sheep dip from veterinary supply stores to consume orally.
One holistic doctor pressured McElhinney’s aunt into spending $1,000 a week for five years during a two-hour phone call.
The alternative medicine market is projected to be worth US$1,282.70bn by 2034.
Female pain is consistently underestimated compared with male pain, and conditions like endometriosis take six to eight years to diagnose.
Key figures
Hannah McElhinney, author of “Wormhole”
Lauren, McElhinney’s cousin who died at age 37
McElhinney’s aunt (Lauren’s mother)
Sources: The Guardian
