I've known pick-up artists and while, yes, some stuff they preach is positive in terms of self-esteem, I can't say I found much of their approach to life as positive. And it most certainly didn't make me want to read books on the shit or prescribe it to a kid who is as troubled as this one.

I'm not blaming PUAs just like I'm not blaming movies. And I don't know the kid but given his history, I think the idea that a PUA could have swooped in and saved the day is bonkers to me (and assumes that his parents and trained professional therapists never tried socializing exercises.)