Do you think it's possible for a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose Trump with a mental illness just from observing him?

A psychologist or psychiatrist.
Or a plumber, or a miner, a banker, or an athlete, a cashier, or a soldier, a flotus.
I’m a furniture maker, I couldn’t.

LOLL @rebbel! Right?

Seems similar to this question. And this seems like something we should consider.

Impostors! All of you!!! (But not not.)

And how would YOU know @janbb?

I think he is autistic, high functioning, and people are being real judgey about personality when they want to not be similarly judged themselves.

He may be that as well @Patty_Melt.

He is sociopathic, narcissistic, irascible, and has a single digit IQ.
And he has a micropenis.

@ragingloli Tell us what you really think of the *orange haired bad “ManTan” spray-on tan ten year old.

I mentioned the penis thing on a thread with a screaming republican. He fired back, “The women sure seem to be satisfied! Look at how many he’s had!!”
What a moron! But I guess that’s honestly what many of them think. They admire him for it! Mind. Blown.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Individuals with this disorder exhibit a lack of ability to empathize with others and an inflated sense of self-importance.

Definition
The hallmarks of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration. People with this condition are frequently described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding. They may also concentrate on grandiose fantasies (e.g. their own success, beauty, brilliance) and may be convinced that they deserve special treatment. These characteristics typically begin in early adulthood and must be consistently evident in multiple contexts, such as at work and in relationships.

People with narcissistic personality disorder believe they are superior or special, and often try to associate with other people they believe are unique or gifted in some way. This association enhances their self-esteem, which is typically quite fragile underneath the surface. Individuals with NPD seek excessive admiration and attention in order to know that others think highly of them. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder have difficulty tolerating criticism or defeat, and may be left feeling humiliated or empty when they experience an “injury” in the form of criticism or rejection.

That’s the definition. Just saying….

“Diagnosis” per se requires more.

But being almost certainly correct about certain observations does not require more, because we’ve seen so much spectacular behavior.

Psychiatrist or psychologist? When the fool rants aloud, any preschooler or border collie parked in front of a tv knows within 5 minutes that “things ain’t right”.

The real question is are any of them able to watch him without diagnosing him with a mental illness.

that’s probably a no.

“Do you think it’s possible for a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose Trump with a mental illness just from observing him?”

This seems like the wrong question. A lot of psychology is done via observation, but psychological observation is not the same as the partial look into Trump’s mind that we get from his public appearances. A professional could probably discover what, if anything, to diagnose Trump with if they were given the opportunity to observe him to the level that scientific rigor requires. But if the question is closer to “do you think it’s possible for a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose Trump with a mental illness just from watching the portions of his public appearances that are covered on television?” then I think the answer is “no, and it would be unprofessional to do so.”

“That argument [that they have to have him in person]) has always struck me as nuts. There is no diagnostic blood test or brain scan for narcissistic personality disorder; there’s just a list of observable traits.”

This does not strike me as a good rejoinder to the argument being criticized for precisely the reasons I mentioned above. That narcissistic personality disorder is diagnosed by observation rather than through mechanical or chemical means doesn’t entail that a member of the general public—that is, someone who has not observed Trump extensively and in person—is capable of reliably diagnosing him based on what they’ve seen.

In any case, what would having a specific diagnosis change? Mental illness and incompetence are not the same thing, nor do they necessarily go together. Abraham Lincoln probably suffered from clinical depression, but his handling of the presidency can be evaluated without that knowledge. Similarly, I don’t need a diagnosis to determine which of Trump’s policies I agree or disagree with. I suppose it might be relevant to how we think of him as a person (as opposed to how we think of him as a politician), but I don’t get the sense that anyone eager for a diagnosis is actually concerned about Trump’s personal wellbeing.

Trump’s well being? How about the rest of us? I would agree that a diagnosis at this point takes a back seat to getting rid of him.

I don’t think narcississm is a mental disorder of any kind. A human trait, yes, not mental disorder. Why does it even matter if he’s narcissistic so long as he can potentially bring great changes to the country and serve his purpose as a president.

@stanleybmanly Do you actually disagree when I say that the people who are eager for a diagnosis aren’t doing so out of concern for his personal wellbeing, or are you just reacting to two of the words in my answer because it’s easier than thinking about the other 300+ words that I wrote?

@Unofficial_Member No one is talking about generic narcissism. They’re talking about narcissistic personality disorder, which is recognized by and described in both the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the World Health Organization’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. A definition of the disorder was also provided by @flutherother in a previous answer.

I don’t disagree with your conclusion or the rest of the 300 words. I’m surprised that at this stage HIS well being occurs to you as motivation for the question.

@SavoirFaire I see. Even though I find there’s no disadvantages for individuals who possess such a thing. If anything, that will make him an ambitious and workaholic person. He probably doesn’t always make the best decision but his narcissism couldn’t possibly be the direct cause of it.

Okay. The big plus is that he’s flagrantly narcissistic, unable (or unwilling) to conceal (or control) it, and therefore driven, ambitious and genuine. At what point should self obsession be considered debilitating in a President? How about the ceaseless exhibition of a pathological compulsion to lie? Are profound ignorance and a marked propensity for self delusion in the national interest?

@stanleybmanly At no point did I suggest it was a motivation for the question. Quite the opposite, in fact: I suggested one way that a specific diagnosis might be relevant, and then dismissed it as a likely source of calls for said diagnosis.

I am skeptical of any remote psychological assessment, but it sure seems as if there is something not right about Trump. Even if I agreed with his political stance, I would still be appalled by his lying and crudeness. His followers seem unfazed. Maybe they should be given a psychiatric diagnosis en masse.

One day a little white van will pull up at the White House and a yellow haired male will be taken out on a stretcher and driven away ranting and raving incoherently about walls, Obama and emails. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be in the vehicle with him trying to wrestle the nuclear strike codes from his pudgy fingers. Whoever is left to speak for the White House will announce only that the president is tired and will not be returning to his duties.

@Unofficial_Member why would you think all mental disorders are a disadvantage to the person who has them? The way they affect people around them are more important, IMO.

Sure, there are observable traits, but no psychiatrist worth his salt would presume to diagnose someone they haven’t examined personally. Just as no medical doctor would.

Here’s an interesting article from New York Magazine about diagnosing Trump’s mental issues.

@Dutchess_III I didn’t say that all mental disorders are a disadvantage to those who have them nor did I imply such a thing. I was saying that Trump’s ‘mental disorder’ is actually a beneficial thing to have as it’ll push one to become ambitious and workaholic. It doesn’t matter how he affects other people with his mental disorder as long as he does a good job and serve his purpose as president. I think he’s “the end justifies the means” type of person. Even though people disagree with his decision so long as we get good result there shouldn’t be any problem.

I mis read @Unofficial_Member. Sorry.

@janbb…that’s the article that prompted my question.