Leaders and Followers: A Psychiatric Perspective on Religious Cults

Psychiatrists are in a unique position to understand the personalities, needs,
and motivations of cult leaders and followers. This report assumes that unique
vantage point in its review of the cult phenomenon. What are the psychiatric
attributes of cult leaders and followers? Why do individuals join cults? Can
cults play a constructive role in an individual's life? And how can
psychiatrists help family and friends deal with cult members? Supported by
numerous references, this report presents statistics and colorful descriptions
of American cults and their effect on those who embrace them.