"In an era where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, and political extremism often feels more like a full belief system than a policy stance, many of us have found ourselves in painfully surreal situations. Maybe it's a relative who sends you a link to a fringe conspiracy site, or an old friend who insists the government is run by subterranean lizard people - and they mean it."
"First and foremost, you have to remember who it is that you're speaking to, explained Steven Hassan , Ph.D., founder and director of Freedom of Mind Resource Center, and author of "The Cult of Trump." "If you're speaking with someone who is a relative or a childhood friend, you can go back in your mind to remember who they were before, and keep telling yourself they're still there," said Hassan."
Misinformation and political extremism can capture loved ones' worldviews, producing surreal and heartbreaking interactions. Practical strategies emphasize preserving relationships rather than winning arguments, using warmth, curiosity, and remembrance of who the person was before radicalization. Cult-recovery techniques recommend centering conversations on emotions, shared memories, and simple concise questions the person can answer. Treating extreme beliefs as a form of psychological capture helps reduce hostility and opens space for self-realization. The approach avoids one-conversation deconversion, focuses on long-term rapport, and offers tools to manage exhausting encounters while keeping lines of communication open.
Read at HuffPost
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