Trump's Narcissistic Personality Disorder

 

I don’t want to come across as too nerdy and shrinky about this, but I feel it’s important for all Americans to develop a little psychological mindedness about Trump’s problematic, “authoritarian” personality. So, here’s my caveat about him based on my experience and work as both an in-and-outpatient psychotherapist at Yale’s Connecticut Mental Center in New Haven for many years:

Narcissistic Personality Disorder from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 6, which is the primary diagnostic manual for psychiatrists and mental health workers for diagnosing chronic mood disorders, mental illness, and personality disorders:

"Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. The pattern typically begins in early adulthood and is present in various situations. Individuals with NPD often exhibit a sense of self-importance, entitlement, and a need for attention.

Key Features of NPD, according to the DSM-6 include:

-Grandiosity: A belief in one's own importance, achievements, and talents, often exaggerated.

-Need for Admiration: A persistent requirement for praise, attention, and admiration from others.

-Lack of Empathy: Difficulty understanding or recognizing the feelings and needs of others.

-Sense of Entitlement: An unreasonable expectation of special or favorable treatment.

-Interpersonal Exploitation: Taking advantage of others to achieve one's own goals.

-Arrogance and Haughtiness: Exhibiting arrogant behaviors and attitudes.

-Envy and Belief in Being Envied: Feeling envious of others or believing that others are envious of them."

These are all undeniable symptoms that Trump suffers from and is receiving no therapy or help for whatsoever; neither is he showing any sign self-reflective awareness that might compel him to seek professional help.

As a former psychotherapist myself for many years, I find this diagnosis sadly easy to make from my objective distance as a deeply concerned citizen, former psychotherapist at a reputable university hospital, and simply a daily observer of the national news.

One does not need to be a professional psychotherapist to recognize the odious, mean-spirited traits in his personality that stem from his inordinate need for praise, even when it's unwarranted. Unfortunately, Narcissists are among those most difficult for psychiatrists to treat since they are so often in stubborn denial of their disorder.

Trump's advisors, "friends" (narcissists have very few if any true friends since they are so reflexively their own best friends), and family members are unwilling, as well as helpless, in any role of advising him to seek professional help while he systematically dismantles the Government and leads the country into the wasteland of his megalomania before everyone's eyes. So, wake up Congress, America, and so-called friends of Trump before American democracy is undermined beyond repair by another archetypal despot.

-Chard DeNiord