"MonsieurStat" <monsieurstat@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:lczJe.1750$6d4.233575@news20.bellglobal.com...

Initially, I thought this was a spoof... but no! This is where we're heading folks. If you have
any of the symptoms, better get cured fast. This thing is CONTAGIOUS!
Stat.

---------------------------

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 paralling 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, short-wave 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, de-hydrated 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 storm troopers 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 "sheep"
(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 your 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 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).



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Then George Washington must have been a raving lunatic.

This is another money making, ***** scheme propagated by the APA. Paranoid Personality Disorder
has been used in the past to dx symptoms of what was described. No additional criteria is needed.
To lump all cult members into this category is *****. Most are dependant individuals who have
been preyed upon by predatory types for either ego enhancement or money making schemes.

Well......YES I DO as a matter of fact!

Now give me my medication!

SuZanne
(who is constantly being followed by helicopters, blenders, toasters and
Bushes)