Reply #17: Speaking of double binds

[undergroundpanther]

The fourth double-bind. The bizarreness of the three double-binds described above can lead to a fourth. The sequence of mixed messages that throw supposedly schizophrenic people into a living nightmare goes as follows:

1. "You must accept into your mind our assertion that you are mentally ill because you believe that people are trying to force thoughts into your mind."

2."You must believe our self-deceptive statements that we are not acting selfishly when we force you to submit to treatment that you don't want. You must believe we are doing this to you only for your own good."

3."You must believe that we are acting out of love and compassion for the undesirable thing you are."

4.If a person protests about any of the above and tells the therapy staff they are the crazy ones, the fourth double-bind message is: "Your claim that we are crazy and harming you proves how really mentally ill you are. You are so sick you lack insight and don't appreciate the help we are offering to you."

It's real easy to see how the fat police also use this double bind game..

http://www.successfulschizophrenia.org/articles/dblbinds.html