| The use of psychology or psychiatry to contain and | | | | A psychiatrist or psychologist is employed by the |
| control a family member (or close friend) is almost as | | | | person who wishes to "pathologize" the victim; that |
| old as psychiatry itself. Not well publicized, however it | | | | is, to "officially" define this person as mentally ill. And |
| is a practice that dates back decades. | | | | the diagnostic evaluation delivers. |
| From time to time, you may see a person wearing a | | | | Or, the already established mental health provider is |
| psychiatric diagnosis that was inspired by the | | | | manipulated, overtly or covertly, to provide such a |
| manipulation of a family member or close friend. You | | | | diagnosis at the bequest of the individual (or |
| believe they are crazy because they have been | | | | individuals) who want this person defined as such. |
| labeled as such. And often times, they begin to | | | | Who is at risk? Those in jeopardy are individuals that |
| demonstrate symptoms lending credibility to the | | | | other people, such as those who seek higher |
| diagnosis. But the question remains, "Is it true?" And | | | | authority and/or empowerment, wish to silence, |
| more disturbing questions are: "why, how and to | | | | contain and/or control. This could be an elderly person |
| whom?" | | | | possessing a substantial estate, or an individual |
| Why does this happen? | | | | inheriting wealth, or a victim of crime whom the |
| These psychiatric certifications are primarily done to | | | | perpetrator seeks to silence, or a battered spouse |
| secure rights formerly owned by the labeled person. | | | | and protective parent in a divorce. |
| The rights obtained are personal, civil liberties that | | | | If you are at risk for the use of psychology or |
| would not be willfully surrendered by the victimized | | | | psychiatry to contain and control you, be mindful of |
| individual. | | | | this practice and seek objective, professional |
| How does this happen? | | | | guidance before the damage is done. |