There are many conspiracy theories on the internet. Despite the fact that major tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube may be late to ban or throttle content like this, misinformation and disinformation spreaders find loopholes to spread what is believed to be the truth.
Many conspiracy theories about COVID-19 have made their way into American society thanks to algorithms that reward engagement rather than facts. According to some surveys, around half of respondents support one or more popular theories regarding the virus and vaccine. These beliefs are so common and emotional consuming that many people talk about them in therapy.
Psychologists and psychiatrists are aware that conspiracy theories beliefs don't constitute a mental illness. Their patients and clients may become obsessed with these ideas, neglecting sleep, work, or relationships to support their online research. People may retreat from those who do not agree with them, which can lead to isolation and disconnection.
It depends on the mental health provider that you ask. They may not have noticed any change in their patients' or clients' preoccupation with conspiracy theories, or they may have noticed a significant shift. This is murky territory for many mental health providers. They should not push anyone to defend their beliefs. This could destroy the delicate relationship that therapists have with their patients or clients. They could be complicit if they don't say anything, which could hinder their ability to address the way that fervent belief can cause people to feel miserable and increase anxiety.
Mashable was told by the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Psychiatric Association (a key professional organization for mental health providers), that they don't have any guidance on how to respond to conspiracy theories in treatment. It is easy to see why professional organizations would hesitate to address the topic. Although members may not want such guidance, evidence-based research must inform them. Professional organizations could also be implicated in conspiracy theories that COVID-19 is linked to conservative movements or politics like QAnon. This could lead to the perception of pathological beliefs among partisans.
Theorists and psychiatrists who encounter conspiracy theories in their work must develop their own strategies. Psychotherapy Networker published a list of strategies earlier in the year. It focused on the importance and compassion of empathy, compassion, patience, and empathy. Therapists are able to summon an emotional generosity that is beyond the reach of many others. It's a good thing that they get paid for their work. However, this approach can be very helpful for those who have lost loved ones to conspiracy theories and don’t know how to reconcile their realities.
Therapy: How conspiracy theories are made
Allen Lipscomb Psy.D. is a licensed clinical social worker who treats Black men with grief and trauma. Since the pandemic, conspiracy theories have been a constant theme in his sessions. They were never mentioned in the Before Times. Instead, he talked to his clients about race-related microaggressions and fulfilling their roles at home and work, stress management and self-preservation. These subjects are still very important to his clients, but they also have concerns about what the authorities say about the pandemic.
They question why the Chinese government would create a virus that could cause mass death, drawing on the debate about the origins of COVID-19. The U.S. intelligence agencies found that COVID-19 was not developed to be a biological weapon. Lipscomb received information from clients that the vaccine could be used to monitor and track the recipients once it was available. Many suspect that the vaccine could be a Trojan horse, with the potential to kill its recipients, especially Black people, if the government decides to turn the switch in the future.
SEE ALSO CONSULTING: Conspiracy theories are a mental illness crisis
Although there is no evidence to support either theory, Lipscomb's Black men are generally suspicious of the government. They are influenced by both daily reminders of the failures of American institutions and historical acts of betrayal. They remember experiments on Black people such as the doctors who withheld treatment for syphilis-infected men and the researchers who examined Henrietta Lacks' cells without her consent. They believe that public health officials won't protect them, but may actually cause harm.
Lipscomb observes that his clients' conspiracy theories are fuelled by historical and ongoing oppression as well as uncertainty and anxiety. However, conspiracy theories can actually increase distrust and paranoia rather than providing relief.
Lipscomb believes that conspiracy theory beliefs are "priming" them so they're more prone to anxiety and paranoia.
This dynamic is important to Lipscomb as a mental health provider. His goal is to heal clients, teach them coping strategies, and improve their overall well-being. Conspiracy theories can impede or delay progress if they are not addressed.
Honoring allows me the freedom to follow it, rather than putting them in a position to teach, prove and educate [me], which can be a lot of work."
Lipscomb attempts to find a delicate balance. Lipscomb doesn't dismiss or question conspiracy theories that are affecting clients' well-being. He "honors" clients by acknowledging their anger, anxiety, and distrustfulness. He asks the client to share their daily experiences and how they view them. Some clients might have trouble sleeping after reading negative information on social media. Others may feel isolated because they refuse to be vaccinated and continue to keep their distance from others to prevent COVID-19. These insights allow Lipscomb to better support his clients.
He says that honoring someone allows him to follow it, rather than putting them in a position to teach, prove and educate me, which is a lot labor."
Lipscomb created the BRuH Approach to Therapy. It is based on four principles: recognition, understanding and bonding. Lipscomb emphasizes the importance of broken political and economic systems in clients' grief and trauma. He also introduces coping techniques such as mindfulness, grounding techniques and cultural and spiritual practices to foster resilience. He helps clients to explore their feelings and places them in the contexts of oppressive policies and systems. This prevents clients from reducing complex feelings or blaming others.
The idea behind the program is to help clients function well, so that they don't get thrown off balance by things like racial profiling in a grocery shop or an alarming conspiracy theory on the internet. Lipscomb believes that clients become more confident and less suspicious as they develop their coping strategies. This is even though they may not disavow conspiracy theories. Professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association can provide guidance about how to help clients who believe in conspiracy theories. However, it must be both "critically racist" and "antiracist/anti-oppressive."
Understanding the range of beliefs
Principium Psychiatry's medical director in New York City Dr. Ziv Cohen says it is common for patients, of which more than a thousand, to mention conspiracy theories. He noticed a trend after the September 11 attacks. Many patients refer to misinformation that suggests the U.S. government orchestrated these events.
Cohen says there is a range of beliefs. People who believe or partially believe in conspiracy theories are at the mildest end. They are open to the possibility that the "official narrative" isn't the true narrative, but they treat skepticism as entertainment. They aren't interested in conspiracy theories at all.
A group of people who are obsessed is what you would call the middle. These people might be unable to sleep at night, or they may wait for conspiracy theory influencers messages to appear on Telegram. Cohen defines conspiratorial thinking as a person who is obsessed with the latest theories. It's a belief that they can't change based upon evidence.
He says, "The problem is that they are skeptical of everything but their conspiracy theories." Those in the first group that indulge in these beliefs may become obsessed if they are exposed enough.
People who are radicalized by conspiracy theories make up the third cohort. They may be already prone towards violence and are eager to take action when a conspiracy theory, such as the Big Lie that the 2020 elections were stolen, is used to justify an armed response or paramilitary response. Cohen is a forensic and clinical psychiatrist who treats both patients and evaluates those convicted of criminal offenses. Cohen has performed mental health assessments on right-wing extremists that cite conspiracy theories to justify their actions, though he has not evaluated any of those who took part in the Jan. 6 uprising.
Weighing down on conspiracy theories
Cohen has found that people who have pre-existing mental disorders are more likely to focus their lives on conspiracy theories. These beliefs can lead to anxiety and depression by causing insecurity and reinforcing negative views of others. Cohen states that if a conspiracy theory has a minimal impact on a patient’s life, it is sensible not to use it as a treatment.
He says, "Other occasions it can be directly getting in the way" of patients' goals.
Cohen warns that therapists should be cautious about asking patients to question their conspiratorial thinking and views. They might be suspicious of the therapist and see them as just another sheep in a flock. Cohen suggests that therapists look at how conspiracy theories beliefs can help people by providing a sense of certainty and secret knowledge that isn't available to others, as well as accessing a group of like-minded individuals.
He says that conspiracy theories make people feel secure because they believe they know the truth. It gives them the illusion that they will be safe.
Cohen may begin with supportive therapy. This will focus on empathy with the patient's feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety while also exploring healthy ways to help them cope. Cohen may then move on to cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy. These therapies involve identifying the thoughts and influences that influence people's decisions. These therapies often reveal the reasons a patient became a believer in conspiracy theories.
"Conspiracy theories must be treated as a public health issue."
Cohen notices a shift in the patients' demeanor as he continues to treat them and their bond grows. The patient feels more secure and less defensive. Patients are no longer held in tight control of conspiracy theory beliefs. Cohen says that in some cases patients will realize they've been "had" and seek help "regaining control over their minds." Patients feel ashamed about their beliefs and seek psychotherapy to deal with them.
Cohen believes that whatever the patient's path, the mental health profession must develop new paradigms to recognize conspiracy theories as a threat to patients' well-being. Then create appropriate treatment methods. Cohen would like to see mental health professionals and the public educated more about how conspiracy theories can impact people's emotional and psychological well-being. However, he understands that they might be concerned about the perception of partisanship.
Cohen says that the world has become too complicated and that it's causing anxiety among individuals. He is referring to the destabilizing effects on climate change, the pandemic and globalization.
"We need to consider conspiracy theories a public health issue."
