What is Dianetics and how does it work?

Dianetics is a self-help methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, first published in 1950. It proposes that the human mind has two parts: the analytical mind (rational and aware) and the reactive mind (which stores recordings of painful experiences called engrams). These engrams, when triggered by present-day stimuli, cause anxiety, depression, anger, psychosomatic illness, and irrational behaviour. Dianetics auditing — a structured process with a trained practitioner — aims to locate and erase these engrams, removing their influence on behaviour and health.

Can Dianetics help with anxiety and depression in South Africa?

Many South Africans report significant relief from anxiety and depression after applying Dianetics techniques. The methodology addresses the reactive mind — the source of irrational fear responses and depressive emotional patterns — through a process called auditing. The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation South Africa offers the Dianetics book (R400, free delivery) and professional auditing services for those seeking an alternative or complement to conventional treatment.

Is Dianetics an alternative to antidepressants and psychotropic medication?

Dianetics is a self-improvement methodology, not a medical treatment, and does not replace medical care for diagnosed conditions. However, many practitioners and readers use it as an alternative or complement to psychotropic medication, particularly those concerned about long-term dependency on antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or mood stabilisers. Dianetics addresses the underlying mental recordings (engrams) that may be contributing to emotional distress, rather than managing symptoms chemically.

Can Dianetics help with anger issues and rage?

Yes. In Dianetics theory, anger and rage are often traced to specific engrams — stored recordings from past incidents where pain and unconsciousness were present. When these engrams are triggered by present-day stimuli, they produce disproportionate anger responses. Dianetics auditing aims to locate and erase these recordings, reducing the intensity and frequency of anger responses. Many practitioners report lasting improvement in emotional regulation after auditing.

Can Dianetics help with trauma and PTSD?

Dianetics was one of the first self-help methodologies to propose that traumatic incidents are stored as mental recordings (engrams) and continue to influence behaviour and health long after the original event. The auditing process involves guided recall and re-examination of these incidents, which practitioners report reduces their emotional charge and eliminates their ability to trigger PTSD-like responses. It is not a clinical PTSD treatment but is used by many as a self-directed recovery tool.

Where can I buy the Dianetics book in South Africa?

The Dianetics book is available from the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation South Africa for R400 with free delivery anywhere in South Africa. Order online at hubbarddianeticsfoundation.co.za/order or contact us at info@hubbarddianeticsfoundation.co.za or +27 78 174 0997. The book is available in English and Afrikaans.

What is the difference between Dianetics and Scientology?

Dianetics is a standalone self-help methodology published by L. Ron Hubbard in 1950. While Dianetics is used within Scientology, the book and its techniques can be applied completely independently. The Church of Scientology was established in 1954 — four years after Dianetics was published. The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation South Africa focuses exclusively on the Dianetics methodology and book distribution.

Can Dianetics help with addiction and substance dependency?

Dianetics is used by many people in recovery from addiction as a tool for addressing the underlying emotional pain that drives substance use. The methodology proposes that addiction is often driven by engrams — stored recordings of pain and distress — that the person attempts to suppress through substances. Dianetics auditing aims to address these underlying recordings. It is not a medical detox programme and should be used alongside appropriate medical support for physical dependency.

What is psychosomatic illness and how does Dianetics address it?

Psychosomatic illness refers to physical symptoms that originate in or are significantly influenced by mental or emotional factors. L. Ron Hubbard proposed in Dianetics that a significant proportion of human illness is psychosomatic — caused by engrams stored in the reactive mind. Common psychosomatic conditions addressed through Dianetics include chronic headaches, migraines, back pain without structural cause, fatigue, insomnia, digestive issues, and skin conditions. Dianetics auditing aims to locate and erase the underlying mental recordings causing these symptoms.

Is Dianetics available in Afrikaans in South Africa?

Yes. The Dianetics book is available in both English and Afrikaans from the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation South Africa. The Afrikaans edition is titled 'Dianetika: Die Moderne Wetenskap van Geestelike Gesondheid.' Both editions are available for R400 with free delivery anywhere in South Africa.

Wat gebeur tydens 'n 72-uur psigiatriese assessering?

Tydens die 72-uur assessering moet vier aangewese gesondheidswerkers jou afsonderlik ondersoek en verslae skryf. Jy het die reg op 'n regsverteenwoordiger of 'n vertrouenspersoon. Na 72 uur moet hulle jou vrylaat of die proses vir gedwonge opname volg.

Jou Regte — Wet op Geestesgesondheidsorg 17 van 2002

Soorte Geestesgesondheidsorggebruikers

Die Wet onderskei tussen drie verskillende kategorieë van mense wat geestesgesondheidsdienste ontvang:

Vrywillige Sorggebruiker

Iemand wat vrywillig instem tot geestesgesondheidsorg. Jy het die reg om te eniger tyd te weier en enige behandeling te verwerp.

Bygestane Sorggebruiker

Iemand wat nie kan instem weens 'n geestestoestand nie, maar ander glo sorg sal help. Moet deur 'n geestesgesondheidskomitee beoordeel word.

Onvrywillige Sorggebruiker

Iemand wat sonder toestemming opgeneem word. Hierdie situasie vereis spesifieke wetlike stappe, insluitend 'n 72-uur assessering.

Jou Regte Ingevolge die Wet

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Reg op Ingeligte Toestemming

Artikel 9

Geen behandeling kan begin sonder jou toestemming nie. Die dokter moet jou verduidelik wat die doel, risiko's, voordele en alternatiewe van die behandeling is in 'n taal wat jy verstaan.

✓

Reg om Behandeling te Weier

Artikel 9(1)(b)

Jy het die reg om enige mediese behandeling te weier, insluitend psigiatriese medikasie, selfs al glo die dokter jy benodig dit. Jou weiering moet gerespekteer word.

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Reg op Inligting

Artikel 10

Jy het die reg om ingelig te word oor jou gesondheidstoestand, jou diagnose, en alle voorgestelde behandelingsplanne.

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Reg op Regsverteenwoordiging

Artikel 14

Jy het die reg op 'n regsadvokaat of 'n vertrouenspersoon tydens jou assessering of behandelingsbesluite.

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Reg op Menswaardigheid

Artikel 3

Jy het die reg om met respek behandel te word, om jou menswaardigheid te behou, en om beskerm te word teen mishandeling of misbruik.

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Reg om Beswaar te Maak

Artikels 18–20

Jy het die reg om beswaar te maak teen enige besluit by die Raad vir Geestesgesondheidshersiening of 'n hof.

Die 72-Uur Assessering: Vyf Stappe

Wanneer iemand onvrywillig opgeneem word, vereis die Wet 'n formele 72-uur assessering. Dit is die proses:

1
Aanvanklike Opname
Die persoon word na 'n inrigting geneem deur 'n gemagtigde gesondheidswerker of polisie. Skriftelike kennisgewing moet gegee word.
2
Mediese Ondersoek
Vier aangewese gesondheidswerkers moet die persoon afsonderlik ondersoek binne 72 uur.
3
Skriftelike Verslae
Elke gesondheidswerker moet 'n verslag skryf wat hul diagnose en aanbevelings uiteensit.
4
Besluit
Na 72 uur moet hulle 'n besluit neem: laat die persoon vry, gaan voort met assessering, of dien 'n aansoek in vir onvrywillige opname.
5
Reg om Beswaar te Maak
Die persoon het die reg om enige besluit by die Raad vir Geestesgesondheidshersiening te betwis.

Dianetics: 'n Vrywillige Alternatief

Dianetics, geskryf deur L. Ron Hubbard, is 'n selfhelpmetodologie wat mense bemagtig om die onderliggende oorsake van geestesgesondheidsprobleme aan te spreek sonder medikasie of dwang. As 'n vrywillige sorggebruiker het jy die reg — gewaarborg deur die Wet op Geestesgesondheidsorg — om alternatiewe soos Dianetics te kies.

Dianetics beweer nie dat dit siektes "genees" nie. In plaas daarvan bied dit tegnieke om mense te help om die onderliggende oorsake van hul geestesgesondheidsprobleme te verstaan en aan te spreek — met hul vrywillige toestemming, sonder medikasie.

Bestel die Dianetics Boek — R400 Lees die Volledige Bladsy (Engels)

Gereelde Vrae

Kan 'n dokter my dwing om psigiatriese medikasie te neem?▼

Nee. Ingevolge Artikel 9 van die Wet het jy die reg om enige behandeling te weier, insluitend psigiatriese medikasie. Jou ingeligte toestemming word vereis voordat enige behandeling begin.

Wat gebeur as ek onvrywillig opgeneem word?▼

Jy moet binne 72 uur deur vier gesondheidswerkers beoordeel word. Jy het die reg op 'n regsadvokaat, om ingelig te word oor die proses, en om beswaar te maak by die Raad vir Geestesgesondheidshersiening.

Waar kan ek hulp kry?▼

Kontak CCHR Suid-Afrika (+27 63 687 5644 of [email protected]), 'n Suid-Afrikaanse regsadvokaat, of die Raad vir Geestesgesondheidshersiening.

Is Dianetics wettig in Suid-Afrika?▼

Ja. Dianetics is 'n volledig wettige selfhelpmetodologie. As 'n vrywillige sorggebruiker het jy die wettige reg om alternatiewe soos Dianetics te kies.

Jou Regte Ingevolge die Wet op Geestesgesondheidsorg

Soorte Geestesgesondheidsorggebruikers

Vrywillige Sorggebruiker

Bygestane Sorggebruiker

Onvrywillige Sorggebruiker

Jou Regte Ingevolge die Wet

Reg op Ingeligte Toestemming

Reg om Behandeling te Weier

Reg op Inligting

Reg op Regsverteenwoordiging

Reg op Menswaardigheid

Reg om Beswaar te Maak

Die 72-Uur Assessering: Vyf Stappe

Aanvanklike Opname

Mediese Ondersoek

Skriftelike Verslae

Besluit

Reg om Beswaar te Maak

Dianetics: 'n Vrywillige Alternatief

Gereelde Vrae