Therapybait
A form of bait where the goal is to provoke a reaction in someone specifically so you can tell them to "go to therapy," "seek mental help," or "get medication." Therapybait combines reactbait (provoking emotion) with pathologization bias (dismissing that emotion as illness). The baiter triggers anger, frustration, or distress—then, when the target reacts, declares that reaction proof of mental illness requiring professional intervention. It's a double trap: first provoke, then pathologize. The target is left defending their sanity after being manipulated into losing it.
Example: "He spent hours provoking her—insults, digs, reminders of past trauma. Finally, she snapped, calling him out in frustration. His response was instant: 'Wow, you really need therapy. This level of anger isn't normal.' Therapybait had worked: he'd provoked the reaction, then used it to dismiss her. She was the crazy one now; he was just concerned."
Therapybait by Abzugal February 19, 2026
