Deprogramming And Intervention Information -- How to Break the Hold

Individuals (generally women) who are addicted to Johnny Depp, experience lives that are thrown off-balance by their addiction.  Their families are torn apart, unable to understand or accept their loved ones’ condition.

Sufferers often find themselves unable to perform at work or school, or carry on even the most basic of functions.  Social contacts may shrink to only those who share JDOCD with them.

Finally, they become more and more isolated and disconnected from their loved ones and the world around them, living in a surreal “cyber-community” where most interactions are in the form of emails or instant messaging or on-line posting with other JDOCD sufferers.

For the clinician, working with JDOCD sufferers and their families demands a special understanding and appreciation of the charisma, the charm, and the magnetic, seductive power of Johnny Depp.  Counselors or interventionists may find working with the sufferer frustrating and emotionally exhausting.
 
Counselors ideally should have an intimate knowledge about Johnny Depp, immersing themselves in his films, subscribing to entertainment magazines and scouring the internet for information about his work.

A WARNING:  Great caution should be exercised, as there have been reported scores of incidents where counselors themselves, while working with patients, have developed the disorder themselves.

However, while virtually non-existent, success brings the sense of achievement from assisting in liberating both the body and the mind of the afflicted.

There are two strategies possible:

Voluntary.   The sufferer voluntarily removes themselves from any and all Johnny Depp materials.

Involuntary.  This may, of a necessity, entail abduction and a forced intervention procedure, lead by a trained professional.

In either of the two strategies, it is vital to establish a personal relationship with the sufferer.  It is important for the sufferer to trust the counselor.  This relationship may be established by sharing popcorn over a Johnny Depp video, or reading interviews with the actor in various industry publications together, or staring together at the sufferer’s screen saver for long periods of time.

All strategies stress non-violence, respect for the individual and willingness to allow the sufferer the ultimate choice to renounce all things Depp.

Families must be made to face the fact that there are no ‘magic solutions’ surrounding deprogramming.    They must understand that interventions are hard work.   Education, communication and planning are key to the success where interventions are warranted.

All participants in the intervention need to stay focused on the objective of separating their loved one from the mind-controlling power of Johnny Depp.  (Note: Since there have been no known reports of a JDOCD sufferer voluntarily relinquishing herself from the disorder, interventions are therefore required.)

Interventions with JDOCD sufferers include four overlapping goals:

Help sufferers understand the allure of Johnny and how it has negatively impacted their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Help them manage day-to-day crises that will surely occur after renunciation (i.e. walking past a movie marquee advertising the release of Johnny’s latest movie; seeing Johnny on the cover of Entertainment Weekly; suddenly finding a broadcasted repeat of Johnny’s “Inside the Actor’s Studio” interview while channel surfing; receiving unwanted magazine articles, photos and Johnny paraphernalia in the mail from former associates who remain addicted to Johnny).

Help sufferers reconnect to and repair their pasts – including personal relationships with family members and friends; purchasing Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe DVD’s; setting new goals designed to eliminate Johnny from their lives (i.e. removal of all posters, photos, trinkets, magazines, costume materials, weaponry, gifts, cards, books from their homes); pursuing new interests (i.e. anything NOT related to the entertainment industry).

Where possible mobilization of the sufferer’s social support networks, and isolating them from those still suffering from the disorder. (This may include prohibiting the sufferer’s use of telephone or computers.)
 

N. Sorenson