Almost constant warfare caused taxes to rise to crippling levels. Uncontrolled population growth threatens to overwhelm infrastructure development and crippling economic development. Brain implants cause mental instability ranging from mild phobias to crippling neurosis or psychosis. During the mission her bionics malfunction, and she experiences severe and crippling headaches. Yet he was merely one of numerous others who suffered crippling debt around 1820. He escaped death but was subjected to a colossal fine, effectively crippling his power. These attempts were costly and crippling taxes were placed on the peasantry. The war and Great Depression were crippling the economy. Of particular concern is the contagious and crippling Poliomyelitis. The loss of administrative officers was crippling. German insiders credit the Allied bombing offensive with crippling the German war industry. For example, Greek folklore tells of mothers crippling their sons to avoid their abduction. The cost of Empire was equally crippling. This can take the form of buckling or crippling. The forests of Tanith burned under the crippling firepower of the fleet.