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-mongerin g, 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).

Wonderful, and par for the course.

They will consider "anti-government" fear a mental illness so they can discredit and commit people who do things that they believe display this "illness".

Of course, people who recognize what the governments of the world are doing are not fearful in making these statements. They are being scientific, and they are exuding formidable courage to pursue this research, not fear. Fearful people actually stay away from hard truth. Furthermore, it is not "governments" per se that are the targets of these valid accusations. It is factions within governments.

The irony about this situation is that those who do nothing to learn about these huge coverups and massive corruption and rather choose to ignore them deciding that they would rather not know—they are actually the fearful ones. Yes, the opposite of what the so-called "study" above concludes is in fact true.

The truth is, everyone I've ever known who has researched global conspiracy theories has eventually become full-blown a conspiracy theorist. Yes, everyone. This is simply because it is really quite easy to research them and there is no lack of hard evidence. The only people who do not know about the massive and convincing evidence supporting (virtually proving) numerous current global conspiracy theories are those who:

(1) Have never heard about such things, or
(2) Have heard about such things but are too afraid to learn more.

The phrase "Land of the free; Home of the brave." associates freedom with bravery because the originator knew and understood well that without bravery, freedom is not possible. This is why we are losing personal freedoms left-and-right; because the majority are too afraid. Conspiracy theorists are the truly brave ones attempting to warn people and putting themselves at risk to do it. They are not only brave, they are noble.

Time is getting short. People had better wake up soon.

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