7. “You’re Crazy / You Need Help”
The Tactic: Pathologizing
When you finally confront them with facts or catch them in a lie, they may pull the ripcord: “You’re crazy.” This is the ultimate dismissal. It is often used in conjunction with DARVO, an acronym coined by psychologist Jennifer Freyd:
- Deny the behavior
- Attack the victim
- Reverse Victim and Offender
By claiming you are the unstable one, they reverse the roles, forcing you to defend your sanity rather than holding them accountable for their actions.
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