Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 93
But the clinical model of dependence goes far beyond dependencies to exogenous
substances, in that along with such exogenous dependencies we would also find (1)
dependence on endogenous substances (secreted by the organism), as, for example,
dependence on physical exercise and (2) psychosocial dependency, wherein we could
include certain affective or financial dependencies (such as compulsion to work) we include
in this group new forms of addiction, such as to the Internet and sexual dependencies (in
which compulsive sexual behavior predominates, such as pornography, sexual tourism,
etc.).
In the AIS therapeutic team, the field of work has increased to comprise these diverse
forms of ―socio-addictions,‖ in which we would include the dependency to cults. In relation
to the latter, we have arrived at a compact systematization extracted from clinical work,
and that has recently been defined as follows under the designation of group dependence
disorder, which will be diagnosed when at least seven of the following criteria are met:
1. Excessive time dedicated to group (at least one of the following criteria): a) the time
dedicated to the group tends to increase progressively b) time dedicated to the
family, work, or social relationships decreases excessively.
2. The subject reacts with great irritability and/or anxiety when unable to attend
meetings or group activities.
3. Subject manifests intense affiliation feelings toward the group and its members.
4. Changes in attitude toward people in his previous environment (at least two of the
following): a) cold and distanced attitude, b) lies, c) hostile attitudes.
5. Unmeasured self-criticism of his pre-cult past.
6. Conceding the group an excessive importance, which is in disagreement with reality.
7. Tolerates and justifies personal exploitation in different areas for example, work,
economic, or sexual.
8. Increase of daily activities as a consequence of the growing dedication to the group.
9. Experiences of great euphoria or enthusiasm.
10. Tendency to a monothematic discourse.
11. Behavioral changes that stand out that are in accordance with group norms or habits
(at least two of the following criteria): a) in dressing or personal care, b) in
language, c) in hobbies, d) in sexual behavior.
Relational Aspects in Cult Involvement
The problem of cults is not only scarcely addressed by psychiatrists, but also by those who
work within psychoanalytical theory. Although there is some interesting research in this
respect, neither the ―cult-group‖ nor its complexity are the object of substantial
psychoanalytical research. At the same time, the psychoanalytical model is not comparable
to thought reform models, whether dissociative or based on dependency, in that
psychoanalysis is in itself a metapsychology.
In its more than 100 years of evolution, psychoanalysis has gained comprehension and has
left far behind mechanistic models that are more commonly known.
At an individual level, analytical practice has shown how, inside every one of us, many
diverse nuclei exist that can combine with each other. Hence, we find neurotic structures
with psychotic nuclei, such as psychotic patients with a neurotic area of personality that is
sufficiently ample so as not be engulfed by the patients‘ pathologies. Other research has
shown that the existence of fanatical nuclei, as presented in Lifton´s psychohistoric work
But the clinical model of dependence goes far beyond dependencies to exogenous
substances, in that along with such exogenous dependencies we would also find (1)
dependence on endogenous substances (secreted by the organism), as, for example,
dependence on physical exercise and (2) psychosocial dependency, wherein we could
include certain affective or financial dependencies (such as compulsion to work) we include
in this group new forms of addiction, such as to the Internet and sexual dependencies (in
which compulsive sexual behavior predominates, such as pornography, sexual tourism,
etc.).
In the AIS therapeutic team, the field of work has increased to comprise these diverse
forms of ―socio-addictions,‖ in which we would include the dependency to cults. In relation
to the latter, we have arrived at a compact systematization extracted from clinical work,
and that has recently been defined as follows under the designation of group dependence
disorder, which will be diagnosed when at least seven of the following criteria are met:
1. Excessive time dedicated to group (at least one of the following criteria): a) the time
dedicated to the group tends to increase progressively b) time dedicated to the
family, work, or social relationships decreases excessively.
2. The subject reacts with great irritability and/or anxiety when unable to attend
meetings or group activities.
3. Subject manifests intense affiliation feelings toward the group and its members.
4. Changes in attitude toward people in his previous environment (at least two of the
following): a) cold and distanced attitude, b) lies, c) hostile attitudes.
5. Unmeasured self-criticism of his pre-cult past.
6. Conceding the group an excessive importance, which is in disagreement with reality.
7. Tolerates and justifies personal exploitation in different areas for example, work,
economic, or sexual.
8. Increase of daily activities as a consequence of the growing dedication to the group.
9. Experiences of great euphoria or enthusiasm.
10. Tendency to a monothematic discourse.
11. Behavioral changes that stand out that are in accordance with group norms or habits
(at least two of the following criteria): a) in dressing or personal care, b) in
language, c) in hobbies, d) in sexual behavior.
Relational Aspects in Cult Involvement
The problem of cults is not only scarcely addressed by psychiatrists, but also by those who
work within psychoanalytical theory. Although there is some interesting research in this
respect, neither the ―cult-group‖ nor its complexity are the object of substantial
psychoanalytical research. At the same time, the psychoanalytical model is not comparable
to thought reform models, whether dissociative or based on dependency, in that
psychoanalysis is in itself a metapsychology.
In its more than 100 years of evolution, psychoanalysis has gained comprehension and has
left far behind mechanistic models that are more commonly known.
At an individual level, analytical practice has shown how, inside every one of us, many
diverse nuclei exist that can combine with each other. Hence, we find neurotic structures
with psychotic nuclei, such as psychotic patients with a neurotic area of personality that is
sufficiently ample so as not be engulfed by the patients‘ pathologies. Other research has
shown that the existence of fanatical nuclei, as presented in Lifton´s psychohistoric work
