The Reality of Trump and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Let's take a moment to examine the recent talk of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. There has been a lot of chatter lately questioning Trump's mental state and accusations that he suffers from NPD. But do any of these accusation really hold water? Is this nothing more than robust self-confidence or is it really NPD? And if so, is there any cause for concern?

Let's take a look at the 9 common traits of NPD.

1. Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from others

2. Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.

3. Self-perception of being unique, superior and associated with high-status people and institutions

4. Needing constant admiration from others

5. Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others

6. Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain

7. Unwilling to empathize with others' feelings, wishes, or needs

8. Intensely jealous of others and the belief that others are equally jealous of them

9. Pompous and arrogant demeanor

Source: en.m.wikipedia.org...

The symptoms must be severe enough that they significantly impair the individual's ability to develop meaningful relationships with others. Also, according to the DSM-5, these traits must differ substantially from cultural norms in order to qualify as symptoms of NPD. This means we cannot dismiss all levels of celebrity or government as be afflicted with NPD. We have to look for traits substantially higher than cultural norms.

Does Mr. Trump's attitude go beyond simple confidence... beyond even over-confidence?

Narcissistic personality disorder is different from having a strong sense of self-confidence. This is because people with NPD typically value themselves over others to the extent that they disregard the feelings and wishes of others and expect to be treated as superior regardless of their actual status or achievements. In addition, people with NPD may exhibit fragile egos, an inability to tolerate criticism, and a tendency to belittle others in an attempt to validate their own superiority.

Whether or not Trump has this condition, it's important to understand the accusations we make, and to be stronger equipped to defend the accusations of others. For this reason, let's educate ourselves further on some associated features of NPD.

Associated features

People with NPD tend to exaggerate their skills and accomplishments as well as their level of intimacy with people they consider to be high-status. Their sense of superiority may cause them to monopolize conversations and to become impatient or disdainful when others talk about themselves. In the course of conversation, they may purposefully or unknowingly disparage or devalue the other person by overemphasizing their own success. When they are aware that their statements have hurt someone else, they tend to react with contempt and to view it as a sign of weakness. When their own ego is wounded by a real or perceived criticism, their anger can be disproportionate to situation, but typically, their actions and responses are deliberate and calculated. Despite occasional flare-ups of insecurity, their self-image is primarily stable (i.e., overinflated).

Source: en.m.wikipedia.org...

I strongly encourage anyone interested, to please check out the links in this post to learn more about this condition.

Regarding the serious accusations....

How serious is it, really? So, what if Trump has some form of this condition? Does it really mean he's incapable of operating as a President or World Leader? On the contrary, history has shown us that there have been MANY world leaders who suffer from mental illness. Below is a list of leaders known to have led under such mental conditions. I have bolded the ones specific to NPD.

List of mentally ill modern era world leaders

Cold War era:

- Pol Pot, Cambodian dictator and mass murderer; Megalomania, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Paranoia Sociopathy


World War II era:

- John Curtin, 14th Prime Minister of Australia 1941–1945; Bipolar Disorder.

- Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of UK 1940–1945, 1951–1955; Bipolar disorder.

- Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of Soviet Communist Party 1922–1952 and Dictator; Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, Manic Depression.

- Hermann Göring, Commander of the Luftwaffe; Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Morphine Addiction, Depression.

- Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer-SS (second in power to Hitler); Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Severe Attachment Disorder.

- Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany 1934–1945; Bipolar Disorder, compounded by Methamphetamine Addiction.


19th and early 20th Century:

- Paul Deschanel, President of France 1920-21. Schizophrenia

- Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States 1861–1865; Depression.

- Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French 1804–1814; Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Megalomania

Source: en.m.wikipedia.org...

As we can see, there is a bit of a recurring theme for leaders who suffer from NPD. Does that mean it cannot be helped? We live in the modern age of medicine. Can NPD be mitigated to a degree to keep its more severe symptoms in check?

According to MedScape...

Although no psychiatric medications are specifically approved for the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), patients often benefit from the use of such medications to help alleviate certain symptoms associated with this disorder... Medications that may be considered include antidepressants (specifically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]), antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

Source: emedicine.medscape.com...

So, there it is... Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The symptoms, the history, the medication... But does this actually apply to Donald Trump?

Is there any real evidence of Trump exhibiting NPD?

I'll provide just two clips. One clearly biased. One not. You'll need to do your own research if you want more video or quotes.

I choose the following clip as a classic example from an obviously biased source. It's a minute long unedited clip. Let's see if there is anything here that truly fits the NPD traits and also keep in mind - it must be considered above cultural norms.


Did that feel normal? Did it match any of the traits?

Second, a recent interview... This one not from a biased source. Does it debunk the previous clip? Are there signs of NPD? Take a look...


So now... Does the description fit the accusation? Are the concerns and warnings from both parties justified?

If the official diagnosis for Trump is NPD, and if he actually agreed to medication, would you feel comfortable having a president on anti-psychotics?

Friends, the burden is truly on the voter. Take in all the facts. Take in all the evidence.

Vote your conscience... and your intelligence.

This fits essentially every politician from both parties, including the current potus.

a reply to: avgguy

And that's about the jist of it. It's incomprehensibly funny to me to watch both sides point fingers at the same behavior. What's even more funny is when they feel more righteous and act like they are doing you service by telling you that the opponent is and acts in a very similar way to their chosen candidate. But hey do go on telling me why trump is bad and hillary is so good...yea that's the way.

You're right Trump is a narcissistic prick, which I'm actually pretty happy about. I hope he uses that brash attitude and calls out Hillary left and right. That's if he gets a chance to debate her. You know Hillary doesn't like real questions asked about real world problems.

Did we really need a new Thread on this subject?
A simple ATS search yields like 10 threads on this exact topic already.

It's not NPD. He just wants votes so he can fix this country. Apparently America suffers "over analysis disorder" in my definition, everything is a disorder in America.

1. Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from others

Most common man stories, has him relating well to us thousandairs and hundredairs.

2. Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.

he's a billionaire, so he is powerful successful, intelligent. He only dates increasable hot women, so they like him.

3. Self-perception of being unique, superior and associated with high-status people and institutions

His degree of success is unique and superior. I think most people would say he has a high status

4. Needing constant admiration from others

He is a self promoter, but he does a lot of charity behind the curtain

5. Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others

Not really, he just wants the media to treat him and Hillary the same..

6. Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain

Trump probably could have made more money if he sold out instead of filing for bankruptcies. He did it so people could keep their jobs. He's gave millions away without the media attention he could have received.

7. Unwilling to empathize with others' feelings, wishes, or needs

He empathizes with everyone that thinks the US should follow it's laws, he doesn't have much empathy for criminals, wishes or needs.

8. Intensely jealous of others and the belief that others are equally jealous of them

He's a billionaire with a hot wife, I think there are tons of people jealous of that. Personally, I am a little jealous of his son-in-law...the one married to Ivanka...

9. Pompous and arrogant demeanor

Most of the common man stories, has him relating well to us thousandairs and hundredairs.


I have to get back to work, anyone want to play the game with Hillary?

a reply to: spiritualzombie

YOu forget that we all have that trait

a reply to: avgguy

Agreed.

Narcissism: Watch Obama Refer to Himself 119 Times During Hillary Nominating Speech

a reply to: tikbalang

We all have clinical NPD? I think psychologists of the world would disagree: "these traits must differ substantially from cultural norms in order to qualify as symptoms of NPD."

originally posted by: avgguy
This fits essentially every politician from both parties, including the current potus.

Again, this tired deflection ignores one of the most important qualifications: these traits must differ substantially from cultural norms in order to qualify as symptoms of NPD.

You can't say every politician from both parties... because they ARE the cultural norm.

You can deny Trump has NPD, or you can say it doesn't matter, but it's not a valid argument to dismiss NPD entirely by saying everyone has it.

these traits must differ substantially from cultural norms

a reply to: spiritualzombie

Ever tried understanding that line?

All leaders will have NPD within some degrees..all..its what actually makes them go and decide they would run for any sort of office..a belief that they are the ones people should follow.

Now, some degrees are light, some are hard. but having a fair bit of npd doesn't mean you will make a terrible leader..after all, npd also is highly fixated on how others think of you..which means if you want to have a lasting legacy of hero, you are gonna do whatever it takes to have super awesome results for people under your leadership..that way they build statues for you instead of you building it for yourself.

originally posted by: Konduit
a reply to: avgguy

Agreed.

Narcissism: Watch Obama Refer to Himself 119 Times During Hillary Nominating Speech

You can defend Trump all you want, but if you can't see for yourself that this guy is nothing but an ignorant pompous idiot, you're blind!! There's enough videos of him out their that clearly speak volumes! Stop blaming the media for what comes out of Trump's mouth! The arguments trying to defend him are really getting ignorant and childish. Much like the candidate himself!!

If you're a staunch conservative, you know if a liberal talked this way the last thing you would be doing is finding excuses to defend them. This is nothing but party partisanship!!! The same goes for Liberals ignoring Clinton's scandals and defending her!!

How many more posts are we going to see defending this idiot?? There's a lot of rich idiots out there, it sure doesn't mean they're smart and fit to become the President of the United States! The people of the U.S. who are supporting this idiot are making us look like fools in the eyes of the world.

Let's have some common sense people and stop defending both of these candidates when they talk nonsense, lie, ignore their crimes, and act totally incompetent! Ask yourself, are you still going to defend these candidates if they create a nightmare for the U.S. and the entire world?

Let's talk about the fact that here in this thread we have a bunch of half-bit armchair shrinks diagnosing a person with a disorder even though he has never been examined and interviewed. Any respectable professional with a degree on matters such as these wouldn't dream of doing such a thing, but here we see a bunch of rank amatuers with Google doing so. Perhaps that is the real issue here?

More political noise.. .but this time is a bit different.

As far as obvious, clinical mental illness (as opposed to being the usual narcissistic imbeciles), I don't remember any candidate who sets off the "insane demagogue" alarms like Trump does. He's too close to the villain in the King book, The Dead Zone.

The trouble is, many of his supporters know he's a defective buffoon, but they hate the entrenched establishment so much, they're willing to risk it just to send a middle finger to the elite... though why they'd trust a corrupt, insane elite to fight the elite escapes me.

This isn't about logic,though... it's all about fury.

Nobody already supporting him will give a flying copulation what some eggheads of either political stripe think...which reflects another deep problem with this country.

I'm not a partisan hack and get angry at the Dem's elitist idiocy, too, but the GOP lately... gads ... thanks for this poop storm, guys. You used to be smart and if not kind, at least you cared about national interests... what happened?

Hopefully, this won't end up as badly as it could.

a reply to: spiritualzombie


You forgot a word in your headline, maybe two words, "Hillary Clinton."


(Note: Don't construe as that you picked the wrong person to finger . Both equally in their own way earn that distinction.)

same disorder obama has