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A Clinical Analysis of Anti- Government Phobia by I

A CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PHOBIA

Ivor E. Tower, M.D.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Volume 11, series 3, pages 4-5

Abstract

This study conclusively demonstrates that unfounded fear of government
is a recognizable mental illness, closely related to paranoid
schizophrenia. Anti-Government Phobia (AGP) differs from most mental
illnesses, however, in that it is highly infectious and has an acute
onset. Symptoms include extreme suspiciousness, conspiracy-mongering,
delusional thought patterns, staunch "us against them" mentality,
withdrawal from reality, and often religious fanaticism. Having the
patient committed to a qualified mental health institution is the best
option for family and loved ones. For this reason, all psychiatrists
and family physicians should be provided with educational materials
which will help them recognize the various symptoms and warning signs
accompanying onset. Since comparatively little is known about Anti-
Government Phobia at the present time, a government-funded health
commission should be set up to oversee, and help focus, future research.

Incidence and Etiology

Anti-Government Phobia has a worldwide distribution, but has a
particularly high incidence in the United States. Infection rates
are estimated by mental health officials to be about 5% of the
general population, and this rate is growing at an alarming rate.
Rates are highest, but not limited to, those who are disaffected in
some fashion, especially those who have a strong personal grudge
against the federal government for one reason or another.

Although certain variants of the illness have been around for many
years, it is only in the last decade or so that the more virulent and
infectious strains have appeared. This is most likely due to the rapid
buildup of government, at all levels, during the 1980's. Closely
paralleling this trend was an explosion in the number of cases in which
individuals were diagnosed as having unfounded fears concerning such.

Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

Anti-Government Phobia is marked by extreme suspiciousness toward
government. Onset is acute. Symptoms start almost immediately after a
run-in with some agency or institution of the government, or when the
patient is introduced to anti-government propaganda, in one form or
another, by a self-styled "patriot." Common ways in which this harmful,
anti-government propaganda is spread include: books, pamphlets, magazines,
newspapers, audiotapes, videotapes, shortwave and conventional radio
programs, computer bulletin boards, and various Internet sites.

Upon exposure to "patriotic" propaganda, the patient mysteriously
begins to imagine hidden links between unrelated current events,
weaving these gross distortions of reality into a complex delusional
web; a labyrinth of conspiracy theories with all imagined clues
leading straight to the federal government. With further exposure,
the patient becomes increasingly paranoid, and slowly withdrawals
from reality. However, mental deterioration is usually so gradual
that the patient is often unaware of it.

This mysterious malady progresses until the patient invariably assumes
a staunch "us against them" mentality. For instance, in the patient's
warped mind-set, each new piece of gun-control legislation is oddly
rationalized to be merely one additional step in an ultimate plot by
the federal government to confiscate guns altogether. In some unusually
severe cases, the patient assumes a survivalist mentality, stockpiling
guns, ammunition, dehydrated food, and other "essentials," in preparation
for "D-Day" or "Armageddon."

At this stage, the patient also inexplicity experiences increased
delusional thinking. For instance, he may start fallaciously believing
that the Federal Reserve is not in fact part of the federal government,
but is instead controlled by wealthy Zionists. Other far-flung delusions
may involve the United Nations, "black helicopters," concentration camps,
or the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Delusions involving "takeovers"
by foreign military troops, or jack-booted government stormtroopers
dressed in all black, are also commonly diagnosed.

Anti-Government Phobia is often associated with religious fanaticism.
An excellent example of this is the infamous Branch Davidian case,
in which most cult members preferred a fiery suicide over peaceful
surrender to the forces of what they considered to be "Mystery Babylon."
There have been other prominant cases in which "patriots" have became
involved with terrorist activity, fallaciously believing that they were
somehow doing the "will of God." More commonly, "patriots" have been
involved in aggressive outbursts in courtrooms, and other public places
such as town-hall meetings.

Overall, the worldview eventually adopted by "patriots" interprets
modern-day news events as pieces of a giant jig-saw puzzle. Oddly,
they believe that it is their solemn duty to put these unrelated
pieces together in order to discover the underlying "picture." The
warped interpretive framework used by many "patriots" in their
missionary-like endeavor of saving the lost "sheeple" (derogatory
term comparing non-patriots to lost sheep) is a hyper-literal
interpretation of Biblical prophecies, particularly those contained
in the book of Revelation.

Spread of the Illness

In the eyes of the so-called "patriots," the relentless drive to
indoctrinate others with extremist political beliefs is seen as a
righteous and compulsory act to save their "self-destructing"
nation. Wildly fantasizing that America can somehow turn back the
clock to better times, which in reality never existed, many
"patriots" feel obligated to quote constantly from the Declaration
of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and
the writings of the Founding Fathers. In an ironic twist of fate,
when "patriots" expose others to their divisive anti-government
propaganda, through their misguided efforts to restore "individual
liberty," they are actually infecting them with an extremely
contagious mental illness.

A strong analogy can be drawn between "patriotic" indoctrination and
patterns of religious conversion. In both cases, ultra-idealistic
individuals believe that it is their solemn duty to gain proselytes
for their particular faith. This is usually done on a person-to-person
basis with a friend or acquaintance. To keep new converts from going
astray or "backsliding," they are eagerly provided with a steady
stream of propaganda. In each case, the devotee imagines that there
is an evil, sinister force which must be opposed at all costs. In the
case of various religions, the faithful are supposedly rewarded in the
afterlife for sparring with the "devil." In the case of the "patriot,"
the so-called "New World Order" is viewed as the demonic bogeyman,
with the reward for opposing it supposedly being an increased amount
of "personal freedom." In both "patriotic" and religious circles,
there is an entire counter-culture, centering around various anthems
and holy books, constantly being promoted by prophets, preachers,
and paranoid propagandists of all creeds, colors, and strains.

Prevention

Needless to say, prevention is the first line of defense against any
type of illness or disease. Unfortunately, many mental illnesses are
genetic in nature and thus can not be prevented. Fortunately, Anti-
Government Phobia is non-genetic and thus wholly preventable. From
an individual standpoint, the most effective prevention policy is
obviously not to allow oneself to become indoctrinated by a self-
styled "patriot," preferably by staying as far as possible away from
any potentially divisive propaganda. As an added precaution, one
should rely exclusively on well-known and reputable sources for news
and other information.

Family members and loved ones can help out in this effort. However,
it should be noted that prevention programs work best only when the
entire community is involved. We all need to practice constant
vigilance in order to spot diviseness and hate in our communities.
In this regard, networking is the ultimate key to success. A
successful community-based empowerment program would include the
following elements: citizen-citizen networks, police-citizen
networks, parent-teacher networks, pastor-parisoner networks,
doctor-patient networks, state-local law enforcement authority
networks, and federal-state law enforcement authority networks.

Treatment and Prognosis

Although the prognosis is generally good if the illness is treated soon
after symptoms first appear, studies have shown that a disturbingly low
percentage of patients allow themselves to be treated. Thus, having the
patient committed to a qualified mental health institution is the best
option for family and loved ones. For this reason, all psychiatrists
and family physicians should be provided with educational materials
which will help them recognize the various symptoms and warning signs
accompanying onset. Once the illness is properly diagnosed, they should
next notify the patient's immediate family members and discuss the
various treatment options with them. This effort should be reinforced
with extensive public ad campaigns promoting a 1-800 help line. Since
comparatively little is known about Anti-Government Phobia at the
present time, a government-funded health commission should be set
up to oversee, and help focus, future research.

It can not be over-emphasized that prevention is the key to stopping the
spread of Anti-Government Phobia. Once a person is infected, the illness
is generally incurable. The only proven treatment is an extended, and
often risky, "de-programming" session conducted by qualified professionals,
such as the Cult Awareness Network (CAN). Left untreated, chronic symptoms
invariably persist throughout the entire lifetime of the patient. Sadly,
even the patients themselves realize this horrifying fact and surprisingly,
seem apathetic to it. Oddly, they often confuse their symptoms with being
"awake." For instance, they have been known to garble gibberish such as
"once you're awake, you can't go back to sleep." Further research is
presently being conducted on the reasons why they rationalize their
mental illness in this highly unusual spiritual manner.

Acknowledgements

The writer wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations
for contributing their expertise to this report: Morris Dees of the
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Rick Ross of the Cult Awareness
Network (CAN), the United States Justice Department (USJD), the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms (BATF). This study was funded by a grant from the National
Institutes of Health (NIH).

Sarah Thompson, M.D.
PO Box 1185
Sandy, UT 84091-1185
(801) 566-1625 (voice mail & fax)
http://www.therighter.com - ALL NEW!!
http://www.womensfire.org - NEW ADDRESS!
 
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