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The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump
The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President | Bandy X. Lee
The consensus view of two dozen psychiatrists and psychologists that Trump is dangerously mentally ill and that he presents a clear and present danger to the nation and our own mental health. This is not normal. Since the start of Donald Trumps presidential run, one question has quietly but urgently permeated the observations of concerned citizens: What is wrong with him? Constrained by the American Psychiatric Associations Goldwater rule, which inhibits mental health professionals from diagnosing public figures they have not personally examined, many of those qualified to answer this question have shied away from discussing the issue at all. The public has thus been left to wonder whether he is mad, bad, or both. In THE DANGEROUS CASE OF DONALD TRUMP, twenty-seven psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health experts argue that, in Mr. Trumps case, their moral and civic duty to warn America supersedes professional neutrality. They then explore Trumps symptoms and potentially relevant diagnoses to find a complex, if also dangerously mad, man. Philip Zimbardo and Rosemary Sword, for instance, explain Trumps impulsivity in terms of unbridled and extreme present hedonism. Craig Malkin writes on pathological narcissism and politics as a lethal mix. Gail Sheehy, on a lack of trust that exceeds paranoia. Lance Dodes, on sociopathy. Robert Jay Lifton, on the malignant normality that can set in everyday life if psychiatrists do not speak up. His madness is catching, too. From the trauma people have experienced under the Trump administration to the cult-like characteristics of his followers, he has created unprecedented mental health consequences across our nation and beyond. Its not all in our heads. Its in his.
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keithlafo
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Pickpick

Well-written and illuminating. At the same time, I don‘t think anyone will be surprised by the findings in this book.

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JenniferEgnor
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Picked this up today.
Everyone knew who he was. He showed and told everyone who he was from the beginning. He‘ll always be a monster. Please vote with me this November.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

These essays are written by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Collectively, their qualifications are both boundless and stellar. No crackpots. And they make it clear they are not diagnosing 45. Instead, they are discussing whether he could be a danger to himself or others. Recommended for anyone with a strong stomach.

Full review www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2109
#nonfiction2019 #somethingwithanunlikablecharacter

Samplergal It‘s really frightening isn‘t it. The whole family is simply awful. Currently reading (edited) 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Samplergal They are. How‘s the Kushner book? 6y
Samplergal @BarbaraTheBibliophage It‘s as you would expect. Lots of the same “ historical “ timeline. Lots of unnamed sources and lots of entitlement. Ugh. 6y
See All 14 Comments
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Samplergal Sounds like a borrow, not buy book. 6y
jessinikkip Wow! Id love to read this. Too bad my library has stopped buying books that arent part of a series they need to complete or old classics 😕 6y
SaturnDoo Ohhh I so wish they would write a book like this on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama too!!!! 6y
CaitlinR Thanks for the review. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @jessinikkip That‘s so frustrating! Is there a larger library that you can tap for ebooks instead? My city‘s library isn‘t bad, but more often I get ebooks from a nearby much bigger city library. Their selection is just more diverse! 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @SaturnDoo So, you made me wonder. I didn‘t find anything nearly like this for Hillary Clinton. I did find an clinical psychologist author who wrote books about the psychology of Trump, George W. Bush, and Obama. Tagging the Obama one, in case you‘re truly curious. (edited) 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @CaitlinR You‘re welcome! 6y
jessinikkip @BarbaraTheBibliophage unfortunately the biggest city near me is either 1 hour away, 3 hours away or in another state... One of the pains of living in nowhere lol I still put in a request at my library, maybe if I request it enough, theyll buy it to shut me up LOL 😁😁 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @jessinikkip Totally understand. I wouldn‘t drive to the bigger library either. But I do prefer their ebook selection. Maybe your squeaky wheel policy is easier, though! 6y
SaturnDoo @BarbaraTheBibliophage thanks. I am interested😊 I will have to see if I can find these at my local library!!! 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @SaturnDoo Hope you can find them. I‘ll be curious to hear what you think. 6y
127 likes9 stack adds14 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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I‘ve avoided posting quotes from this book because they can be so distressing for people. It‘s a group of hard-to-read, but vital essays in understanding 45. I can only manage one, sometimes two, a day. Today‘s essay talks about tyrants, their followers, and the society around them. It helps me understand things, especially after the horrible events in Christchurch yesterday.

#readersresist #resistlist #themoreyouknowthemoreyouresist

CaitlinR Thanks for the post. Sounds like an interesting and important read. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @CaitlinR You‘re welcome. It‘s interesting, for sure. Important to be informed, but not easy. 6y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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After reading some excerpts (link ⬇️) from his speech yesterday to CPAC, I realized that now is the time to read this book on my shelf. I had intended to alternate its chapters with my Obama speeches book, and hey, I‘m reading that now also. So, I‘m going in this morning.

It‘s important to note that these mental health professionals aren‘t diagnosing 45. They are assessing whether he‘s a danger to himself, the people around him, and the nation.

Carolyn11215 Seems pretty clear that the answer to at least the 2nd and 3rd question is a resounding yes. 6y
Amiable Ugh. You‘re brave. I think reading this would be a danger to my own mental health. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Carolyn11215 Clearer than ever lately! 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Amiable I have the same worry. So it may take me some time to read all the essays. Or I may skip some and still call it completed. We‘ll see. 6y
55 likes5 stack adds5 comments
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Gina
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It might be just me but I think my dictionary app is concerned about the state of affairs in our country...

MyBookLife I would say it‘s not just your app that is concerned about the state of affairs in your country 🙈☺️ 7y
Gina @MyBookLife yes I am so heartbroken that "person" is the one choosen to represent such a powerful and influential nation. We should be ashamed of ourselves. But in the mean time laughter is the balm that soothes the ravaged soul...and books...always books 7y
13 likes2 comments
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NerdyRev
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Pickpick

This is a series of essays on various psychological issues which are then connected to DT. They try not to make any direct statements, but lay out here is what narcissism is (for example), here are some signs, and here is some evidence we have around DT. Some are old essays. The scary thing is, this was published October of last year and it has gotten worse. A truly scary book.

RaimeyGallant Narcissism was my unprofessional diagnosis. I'd leave it to the pros normally, but the stakes are too high. 7y
Dolly 😫 7y
30 likes2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

A group of mental health professionals has come together to assess their concerns about 45 while balancing the avoidance of diagnosing someone they have not directly encountered and the professional duty to warn. I appreciated the variety of approaches and essays here. I had to take breaks from it, though, to maintain my own sanity.

BarbaraTheBibliophage I have this on my shelf and really want to read it. But I‘ve read a few similar books and need a break first. Glad to see a real-person review—thanks! 7y
RebelReader I‘m with @BarbaraTheBibliophage. I want to read it, but I need a break from 45. My feminist classic for #2018Booked is making me angry at men right now! 😬 7y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraTheBibliophage @RebelReader I‘m with you both! I keep reading books related to him and his supporters, I think to try to understand what the heck happened/is going on. But I definitely need to space them out! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage This is my plan for the next 45-related book. To alternate between these two books: http://litsy.com/p/d1VWU3FMQ09S 7y
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Gina
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My two eldest never had to study this that I remember. It could be just me but it seems our poltical climate has reached the schools.

Also my 16yr told me he learned about the 25th amendment this year. When I asked why he said, "well had Kennedy lived we might have had to use it." Uhhh huh is all I said...

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BookishMarginalia
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Late lunch (or early dinner) with @WanderingBookaneer

Mitch Yum! 7y
Trashcanman That looks so.... nom nom nom! 7y
Rissa1 Looks delicious!! 7y
OrangeMooseReads 🤤 that food looks so good 7y
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BookishMarginalia
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#CurrentlyListening — the explanation of “malignant normality” and psychologists‘ duty as “witnessing professionals” are particularly riveting. (And I believe the 10-minute cognitive test given to the president this week was given to him at a time and place and under circumstances that would show him in his very best light... unlike the real life circumstances we witness every day...)

Samplergal The ten minute test that was administered in 30 minutes. That was quite a book! 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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My #bookhaul today is small but mighty. Used coupons and sales, and Christmas money. It‘s so satisfying!

RebelReader I can't wait to hear what you think of the Trump book! 7y
minkyb Excellent choices! 7y
kspenmoll Let me know what you think of 7y
150 likes3 comments
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spanda84
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Day 4 of #ReindeerReads is a #dangerous book... the fact that this book was written is dangerous.

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keithmalek
Pickpick

Does one need it confirmed by twenty-seven separate psychiatrists that Donald Trump is a delusional narcissist? Isn't that obvious? It is, but despite the repetitive and obvious content of this book, it is both interesting and highly important.

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keithmalek

Delicate are the dynamics and nuanced are the judgments that may keep the world safe or plunge it into the abyss.

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keithmalek

Commenting on the choices to disclose top-secret information to the Russians, to be the first to congratulate President Erdogan for a disputed election victory that shrank democratic processes in Turkey, and to praise and invite to the White House President Duterte, widely blamed for thousands of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, political commentator and journalist Eugene Robinson summarized it well: “He conflates power with virtue.”

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keithmalek

Often as therapists we are called on to help our patients see that their life circumstances are not as catastrophic as they might feel. In the case of Trump, however, our job is the opposite: to warn the public that the election of Donald Trump is a true emergency, and that the consequences most likely will be catastrophic.

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keithmalek
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Aurora0044 I look forward to your snippets of these two 7y
RaimeyGallant You're a brave reader. I can't stand the thought of him at the moment. 7y
keithmalek @Aurora0044 I already read and posted a lot of stuff on Olbermann's book, and I'm about 90% done with the other one. 7y
Sace I was keeping up with your quotes from the Olbermann book. I want to read it, but the quotes were scary and just made me even angrier about trump being in office. 7y
Clwojick 😂😂😂😂 he actually is fucking crazy though. 7y
17 likes5 comments
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keithmalek

Here is how George Orwell, in 1984, imagined the exploitation of those most subject to intoxication with an authoritarian leader like Trump:

In a way, the world-view of the Party imposed itself most successfully on people incapable of understanding it. They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them … They simply swallowed everything.

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keithmalek

When Donald Trump was asked in 2016 while he was running for office what his father would have said about him running for president, he said, “He would have absolutely allowed me to have done it.” Allowed?? Despite being seventy years old, Trump answered as if he were an adolescent in an oedipal battle with his father who had died seventeen years earlier.

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keithmalek

This is time and energy I could be spending championing worthy causes. In fact, here I am, writing about Trump‘s mental health when, with a different person in office, I could be working to improve the mental health care system. This narcissistic president is doing what all narcissists do: sucking the air out of the room. One must spend one‘s time and energy arguing about the arguing, rather than living peacefully and productively.

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keithmalek

When the Japanese prime minister visited, the discussion about Trump‘s bizarrely aggressive handshaking style overtook talk of trade deals or North Korea. Antarctic ice shelf breaking off? Wars, refugees, the European Union in turmoil? These issues receive inadequate attention because the world is trying to make sense of the attention-seeking distraction in the White House.

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keithmalek

Other-blamers often have difficulty attuning to the emotional status of others because, as one Other-blamer admitted in a rare moment of self-awareness, “I care more about being right than doing the right thing for the relationship.” And this is exactly what is happening in Trump‘s relationship with America. He cares far more about sheltering his fragile psyche than doing what is right for the country.

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keithmalek

I have often said we should not be diagnosing those who come into therapy but, rather, those who caused them to come to therapy.

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keithmalek

If we are silent about the numerous ways in which Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened violence, incited violence, or boasted about his own violence, we are passively supporting and enabling the dangerous and naïve mistake of treating him as if he were a “normal” president or a “normal” political leader. He is not, and it is our duty to say so, and to say it publicly. He is unprecedentedly and abnormally dangerous.

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keithmalek

The US has had a little over two centuries of democracy. That's actually a short period compared with the millennia of monarchy. However, it is long enough to have made most of us complacent, and perhaps overconfident, with respect to the stability of our democracy. In fact, if we are prone to making a mistake in this regard, we are far more likely to underestimate the fragility of democracy than we are to become unnecessarily alarmist about it.

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keithmalek

While it is true that the restraints operating in our country have prevented Trump from moving as swiftly as Hitler did, this can be attributed to the balance of powers and the greater strength of our democratic traditions rather than to any sense that Trump‘s patterns of emotional thinking are greatly different from those that motivated Hitler.

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keithmalek

Nothing prepared me for Trump's presidential campaign, which started with a ride down an escalator. Perhaps the symbolism was prophetic: instead of ascending to the heights, he was descending to the depths, and taking us all with him.

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keithmalek

Manics display something called “flight of ideas.” It‘s a formal thought disorder in which ideas tumble forth through a disordered chain of associations. One word sparks another, which sparks another, and they‘re off to the races. As one trained psychiatrist said to me, compare Donald Trump‘s speaking patterns to a Robin Williams monologue, but with insults instead of jokes. --David Brooks

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keithmalek

Even more worrisome is that Donald Trump himself did not understand that there are three branches of the federal government and that judges cannot simply “sign bills into law.” During a late campaign interview he was unaware that Russia had not only invaded but had been occupying Crimea for two years. In his first global tour, he commented that he was happy to be in Israel after coming from the Middle East.

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keithmalek

Trump would see no contradiction at all in changing his story in why he fired Comey and thereby undermining the statements of his aides, or in any other lie he tells. His aim is never accuracy; it's domination.

Suet624 Good night last night.... 7y
10 likes2 comments
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keithmalek

As Rob Reiner put it on Real Time With Bill Maher, "People don't understand why Trump doesn't just stop acting mentally ill. Why can't he just stop being mentally ill?" Why? Because his illness is not a ruse. It can't just be turned off when it's inconvenient.

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keithmalek

Trump vowed that if he were elected, "you'll find out who really knocked down the World Trade Center."
In the same week, both the New York Times and the Washington Post ran front-page stories on Trump as a conspiracy theorist. Before the election, Right Wing Watch accumulated a list of fifty-eight conspiracies that Trump had proclaimed or implied were true.

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keithmalek

If all that matters to a pathologically narcissistic leader is any action that preserves their special status (at least in their mind), then reality, circumstance, and facts cease to matter. Which means that what a leader says from day to day or even hour to hour may shift based on what feels best, not what‘s best for the country.

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keithmalek

When it comes to the question of whether or not someone who‘s mentally ill can function, danger is the key—to self or others. This is where pathological narcissism and politics can indeed become a toxic, even lethal, mix. When peace at home and abroad are at stake—not just the feelings of coworkers, friends, or partners—pathological narcissism unchecked could lead to World War III.

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keithmalek
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I've been using the color orange for obvious reasons.

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keithmalek
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keithmalek

Possibly the oddest experience in my career as a psychiatrist has been to find that the only people not allowed to speak about an issue are those who know the most about it.

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Clwojick
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I'm hoping to find this book at Chapters in the next few weeks. I'm not a huge fan of fiction normally, but this is just too good to pass up.

Kaye Sounds interesting, but just thinking about the guy gives me the HIVES..🤢☠️. It doesn‘t take a rocket scientist to see that he‘s missing ALL his McNuggets from his Happy Meal. Which makes me very UNhappy. 😡 7y
89 likes4 stack adds1 comment