It could be assumed that anyone who might seek the office of the presidency possesses as part of their personality a very high regard for their own abilities, desire for power and great ambition. There is a point however where extreme demonstrations of the these traits by a presidential candidate, in this case Donald Trump, can raise some red flags. More professionals within the mental health community are starting to speak up that they are alarmed by the fact that the president elect is exhibiting characteristics that point to a high probability of a psychological pathology. Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Megalomania are actual psychological disorders that when observed, a diagnosis can be rendered.
The recently published 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) lists the nine criteria for narcissistic personality
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
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Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
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Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
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Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
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Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
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Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
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Requires excessive admiration
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Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
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Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
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Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
Concern over this matter caused some highly respected members of the mental health community to send a letter to President Obama following the election of Donald Trump:
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500
We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the mental stability of our President-Elect. Professional standards do not permit us to venture a diagnosis for a public figure whom we have not evaluated personally. Nevertheless, his widely reported symptoms of mental instability — including grandiosity, impulsivity, hypersensitivity to slights or criticism, and an apparent inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality — lead us to question his fitness for the immense responsibilities of the office. We strongly recommend that, in preparation for assuming these responsibilities, he receive a full medical and neuropsychiatric evaluation by an impartial team of investigators.
Judith Herman, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School
Nanette Gartrell, M.D. Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry University of California, San Francisco (1988-2011) Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (1983-87)
Dee Mosbacher, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Community Health Systems University of California, San Francisco (2005-2013)
Atlantic Magazine dedicated the cover of an issue to The Mind of Donald Trump. One of the articles went in to detail on Trump’s narcissism and various observations of some mental health professionals www.theatlantic.com/…
In an Interview in Vanity Fair, clinical psychologist George Simon said “He’s so classic (narcissist) that I’m archiving video clips of him to use in workshops.”
So what happens now? We will have a president that some professionals are identifying as potentially mentally ill and yet about 63 million (versus 66 million for Clinton) actual voters saw him as acceptable over a highly qualified candidate in spite of his obvious erratic, cruel and irresponsible behavior. It’s not like he’s kept it all hidden from the public. What does that say about us that we allowed this to happen?
Can society itself be sick? Maybe we need to look the mirror because Trump could be a symptom of a national pathology that makes us prone to destructive choices and enablers for the views of someone who lacks any sense of empathy. I think it exceeds just rampant ignorance as some have suggested. We must enter in to some self evaluation as the nation who allowed this to happen.