Before you engage in a conversation with the conspiracy believer, ask yourself these questions: What do you hope to get out of the conversation yourself? What are your own needs?

Be aware of your own limits and only go as far as you feel you can. If you do not feel able to cope with the situation, it is advisable to avoid a confrontation and to seek help. Even a (possibly temporary) break-off of contact does not usually lead to a solution to the problem, but should be considered as a last resort if there are uncertainties, fears or feelings of threat.

Arguing in the heat of the moment is not very effective and usually helps to raise emotional walls. Instead, choose carefully when, where and for how long you want to take time for a conversation and agree on this with your counterpart.

Be empathetic, open and understanding instead of taking a confrontational position from the start. If you are perceived as a possible opponent of your own convictions, this makes every conversation more difficult. However, if your counterpart has the impression that you are trying to understand them and are willing to take a step towards them, they will be much more willing to engage with you.

Countering conspiracy narratives with conclusive and fact-based counter-evidence may seem obvious at first, but it often has a rather escalating effect and leads to further distancing. This is because, for the most part, what matters to conspiracy believers is not so much the content of the individual narrative, but the function it serves for them. But even if facts rarely get you far, it can make sense to get knowledgeable before seeking out conversation. Those who understand the mechanisms of conspiracy narratives ultimately also protect themselves from them.

Try to determine what function the conspiracy narrative serves for your counterpart and what problem it provides an answer to. Often the conspiracy belief is related to a specific crisis experience. Inquire about what the needs are, take them seriously, and offer to help.

Dismissing the opinions or thoughts of others as fantasy or pure nonsense will hardly get you anywhere. Also avoid stigmatizing generalizations, as these could be perceived as an attack and cause defensive reactions. Open-ended questions usually have a greater potential to provoke thought and promote reflection on your own convictions.

In many cases it can be right and important to seek help, especially if a conspiracy-believing person poses a danger to yourself or others. This is also advisable if all attempts at conversation fail and the situation becomes increasingly unbearable. There are specific counseling centers for these cases in some german federal states. We will gladly refer you in these cases.