Conspiracy Theories and Mental Health

Elvis Presley is alive and well, spending his free time at gas stations along Route 66. The Apollo 11 moon landing was a film studio-based PR stunt engineered to goad the Soviet Union into bankrupting itself through the space race. Condensation trails left behind by aircraft under certain atmospheric conditions are actually “chemtrails” containing substances used for mind control and mass manipulation. The earth is flat (again), 9/11 and the JFK assassination were “inside jobs” and the global cabal of satanic cannibals controlling the whole world was finally exposed by a little-known internet message board.

These are just a few of the conspiracy theories swirling through our collective consciousness. Some are familiar, some are shocking and all are part of a much larger phenomenon: the growth of conspiratorial thinking in modern society.

But why do people fall for conspiracy theories? Is it mental illness, a need for control or something deeper? To answer these questions, we sat down with Steve Fisher, LPC, director of clinical services at WellPower, and explored the psychological roots of conspiratorial beliefs. What we found was a complex landscape – one where mental health, social dynamics and evolutionary psychology all play a role.

What Is a Conspiracy Theory?

At its core, a conspiracy theory is a causal explanation of events that assigns blame to a group of powerful individuals operating in secret to benefit themselves at the expense of everyone else. Importantly, not all conspiracies are imaginary – history is full of real abuses of power, corporate misdeeds and political manipulation.

“There are actually legitimate conspiracies,” Fisher said. “People in power often abuse it. There are negative consequences. You can think of corporate greed, politicians, intelligence agencies, political groups whose interests override the truth. And even the most absurd conspiracy theories often contain a small grain of truth, making them even more compelling – and difficult to completely disprove.”

How Do People Fall Into Conspiratorial Thinking?

The journey into conspiracy thinking often starts slowly and builds over time. What starts off as an innocent way of connecting with others online can spiral out of control, often only being apparent in hindsight. For example, social media algorithms can nudge new parents seeking information about vaccines down rabbit holes of misinformation, ultimately leading to an unmoving suspicion of all healthcare professionals.

Evolutionary psychology offers one explanation: in order to survive, our ancestors had to be cautious and suspicious of outsiders. “It was better to have a false thought and be safe than to ignore a potential threat and get eaten by a tiger,” explained Fisher. Our brains are wired to notice patterns and connect events, sometimes leading us to see connections where none exist. This tendency toward pattern recognition and suspicion is deeply embedded in our psyche.

Mental health factors can also play a role. Individuals with thought disorders, such as schizophrenia, may be more prone to conspiratorial beliefs. Personality disorders, especially those involving paranoia or a “fragile ego,” can make reality too distressing to face, leading people to embrace alternative explanations. Narcissism, both individual and group-based, can fuel a need to protect a narrative about oneself or one’s community. All that said, it’s important to note that not everyone with a mental health diagnosis is susceptible to conspiracies, and not everyone who believes in a conspiracy theory has a mental health diagnosis.

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Risk Factors for Conspiratorial Beliefs

Research highlights several risk factors that make people more susceptible to conspiracy theories:

Anxiety: Feelings of anxiety can increase vulnerability to conspiratorial thinking.
Stress: More stressful life events and greater perceived stress are associated with a stronger belief in conspiracies.
Social Exclusion or Isolation: Despair and alienation resulting from social exclusion can drive people toward conspiratorial communities.
Perception of Danger: Over-reliance on intuition and antagonism toward perceived outsiders, combined with a need for community superiority, are significant predictors.

The larger societal context matters, too. As Fisher explained, “These factors are amplified during times of social upheaval, when people feel their position is threatened.” In the midst of rapid social change, the way information is shared – especially through social media – intensifies fringe beliefs and makes it harder for people to escape the conspiratorial echo chamber.

Karen Douglas, PhD, summarizes the psychological literature on conspiracy theories:

Epistemic Motives: The need for knowledge and certainty.
Existential Motives: The need to feel safe, secure and powerful.
Social Motives: The need to feel good about oneself and one’s group.

Can Conspiracy Theories be Good for Mental Health?

Why do conspiracy theories persist, even in the face of contradictory evidence and logic? For many, conspiracies offer comfort and order in a confusing or unfair world. They provide a sense of community, meaning and even excitement. Believing in a conspiracy can make people feel important, legitimate and morally righteous—a psychological “hit” that’s hard to resist.

“If I can feel morally correct and I can look down my nose at you, that feels good and becomes something that I will chase,” Fisher said, describing the validation and sense of superiority that can contribute to temporary positive emotions.

The way that conspiracy theories thrive on “dichotomous thinking” – black and white answers to complex problems – can also offer instant gratification, excitement and a sense of moral righteousness. But they also exploit our vulnerabilities, making us victims of the very narratives we embrace.

The Harms of Conspiracy Theories

When people act on conspiracy beliefs, they often worsen the very conditions that led them to conspiratorial thinking in the first place. The sense of loneliness and social exclusion that made those message boards so comforting can grow worse as the person gets further into more extreme views that are not shared by people outside the echo chamber. They may withdraw not only from more general elements of society, but from uninitiated friends and family, making themselves even more isolated. This can lead to increased anxiety and need for reassurance, thus perpetuating the cycle.

In extreme cases, acting on conspiracies can result in violence and serious, direct harm to others. Other negative impacts can include a refusal to engage in beneficial behaviors, such as vaccination. Look at the roots of the recent surge in measles cases for just one current example.

On a societal level, conspiratorial thinking can widen the divide between people with different points of view. Rather than reasonable people disagreeing about the best path forward, these differences become intense battles between good and evil – those who know the truth and those who are trying to silence the truthtellers. When groups embrace alternative realities, polarization and distrust in authority grow, making collective action and problem-solving more difficult.

How to Talk to a Conspiracy Theory Believer

Say you know someone who is in the throes of a conspiracy theory. How do you approach them? First, let’s talk about what not to do: Don’t try to convince someone with facts and evidence alone. As Jonathan Swift once said, “You cannot reason a person out of a position they did not reason themselves into.” Arguing is not likely to change their mind; often, evidence or arguments against a conspiracy theory are reinterpreted as being evidence of the conspiracy itself (“that’s just what they want you to think.”).

Instead, said Fisher, “be compassionate and respectful, and avoid making the person feel threatened.” Ask questions out of genuine curiosity, rather than trying to trap the person in inconsistencies or logical fallacies. Encouraging people to engage in analytic thinking has been shown to help them be less susceptible to conspiracies. One way to do this is to ask people to think of an event in the past where they felt a sense of control. Small doses of accurate information – an approach called “inoculation” – can sometimes help, but be prepared for resistance, at least at first.

How to Build Resilience Against Conspiracy Theories

To avoid falling into conspiratorial thinking, exercise critical thinking skills, seek out objective media and rely on verifiable data from reputable sources. Always keep an eye out for the motivations and funding sources of information (without falling into conspiracies there, of course). Practice what therapists call “dialectical thinking” – accepting that reality is made of many shades of grey, not just black and white. Help others by interrupting their early pathway to conspiracies and providing accurate information in a non-threatening way.

Above all, remember that compassion and respect are key. By understanding the psychological roots of conspiracy theories, we can build resilience in ourselves and our communities, fostering a shared reality that supports mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Support

In case of a risk of harm, whether resulting from a conspiracy theory or not, call 911. if you or someone you know needs urgent 24/7/365 support, call, text or chat 988, the Mental Health Lifeline. In Colorado, you can also visit a walk-in center for immediate, in-person help in a crisis. Denver’s walk-in center (operated by WellPower) is at 4353 E. Colfax Ave. Find the location closest to you here.

Ready to explore mental health support for yourself or a loved one? Click here to learn about accessing services at WellPower or call (303) 504-7900. We gladly welcome Medicaid members, and we accept a range of Medicare and commercial insurance plans.

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