Title: Blog Therapy, Therapy, Therapy Blog, Blogging Therapy, Therapy,..
Headings: Is Belief in Conspiracy Theories a Sign of Mental Health Issues?
Is Belief in Conspiracy Theories a Sign of Mental Health Issues?
Mistrust Isn’t Always Misplaced
Conspiracies and Public Perception
Building the Belief: Is It All a Conspiracy?
The Bottom Line
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Content: When the facts are in doubt, people may be inclined to develop beliefs that fit self-serving narratives. Calling someone a conspiracy theorist can serve as a social mechanism to discredit or exclude that person’s viewpoint. It is sometimes easier to call a person a conspiracy theorist than it is to address his or her questions and concerns, which may further isolate someone who believes in a conspiracy theory. The Bottom Line
Although people who believe in conspiracy theories may be dismissed or derided by some people as “crazy,” the prevalence of conspiracy theories in American culture and the rest of the world suggests that most people who believe in conspiracy theories are not experiencing some kind of psychopathology. For its part, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders draws no direct link between belief in conspiracy theories and mental health issues. However, some people who believe intensely or even casually in conspiracy theories may also be experiencing mental health issues such as paranoia, schizophrenia , narcissism, delusions, anxiety, or trust issues that affect their everyday lives. Some of these issues have been found to be more prevalent among people who believe in conspiracy theories. Most people who believe in conspiracy theories are harmless participants in a widespread social phenomenon, but how they act (or don’t act) on their beliefs can have far-reaching social consequences. For example, research shows that some populations who believe in conspiracy theories are less likely to use condoms, seek HIV treatment, take action against climate change, and vaccinate their children. If mental health conditions are present that make it difficult to distinguish reality from fears and unsettling thoughts, therapy —perhaps in combination with medication —may help.