| What is crazy making? We hear about it; we stumble | | | | frequently tell me how their abusive partners tell them |
| upon it; we are subjected to it; and we even do it to | | | | they are crazy at the very time in which they are |
| others. But what is it? And how do you know it when | | | | most sound. Or, they tell them that situations are |
| you see it? | | | | different from the way they see or know them to be |
| Most often when we use the term "crazy making," | | | | even when they are most certain. |
| we're referring to the conduct of someone that does | | | | Cruel, Heinous Crazy Making |
| just that-his or her behavior makes you crazy. You | | | | Now there is another form of mental psychological |
| know it's the goofy things that people do that make | | | | abuse that has the exact same intention, but far more |
| you "nuts." Thus, the term "crazy making." | | | | serious consequences. If you have read my writing |
| Did you know there are actually three kinds of this | | | | you know what's coming. It's the crazy making that is |
| form of psychological abuse? | | | | more literal. |
| Innocent Crazy Making | | | | It's the crazy making in which I tell you, you are |
| Now sometimes this behavior can be one's innocent | | | | psychiatrically and certifiably crazy. And to substantiate |
| human idiosyncrasies, like the way some people | | | | my allegations, I secure the opinion of an expert crazy |
| squeeze their toothpaste tube. It's the personal quirks | | | | diagnostician: a psychologist or psychiatrist. Thus, I |
| that can be crazy-making to other individuals. | | | | officially make you crazy. |
| Malicious Mental Abuse | | | | Now if you are a domestic violence survivor, who is in |
| Or, it can be malicious behaviors intended to confuse | | | | combat with an abuser using the healthcare and legal |
| you, as in the case of "gas-lighting." That is telling you | | | | system to discredit or silence you and your |
| something or doing something to make you think things | | | | victimization, you know this strategy. |
| are different from the way you intuitively know them | | | | The most important thing you can do for yourself and |
| to be. | | | | your children is to make sure you do not step into the |
| Abusers are very good at this malicious form of | | | | crazy shoes because if you do, you will be wearing |
| mental abuse. It's as though they enjoy casting doubt | | | | the crazy hat for the rest of your life. |
| amidst your clarity. My patients and newsletter readers | | | | |