In a striking and timely message less than two weeks before the presidential election, more than 200 mental health professionals have come together to express their serious concerns about Donald Trump, describing him as a significant threat to democracy due to what they identify as “malignant narcissism.” The letter, which appeared as a full-page ad in the New York Times, is organized by Anti-Psychopath Pac, a political action committee dedicated to raising awareness about mental fitness in leadership.
The signatories argue that Trump’s behavior aligns with criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), specifically citing symptoms associated with antisocial personality disorder. They assert that Trump exhibits a lifelong pattern of reckless behavior, deceitfulness, and a blatant disregard for social norms. The letter states, “Even a non-clinician can see that Trump shows a lifetime pattern of ‘failure to conform to social norms and laws,’ ‘repeated lying,’ ‘reckless disregard for the safety of others,’ and more.”
This public declaration directly addresses the so-called Goldwater Rule, which discourages mental health professionals from diagnosing public figures without a personal evaluation. The authors contend that the evolution of the DSM diagnostic criteria allows for assessments based solely on observable behaviors, and they reference the multitude of hours spent observing Trump in public life.
George Conway, an attorney and leader of Anti-Psychopath Pac, emphasized the urgent need for voters to consider the implications of electing someone whose psychological profile they believe is profoundly troubling. He notes that this disorder makes Trump “deceitful, destructive, deluded, and dangerous,” a sentiment echoed by many of his colleagues in the mental health community.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has also commented on Trump’s instability, calling him “increasingly unstable and unhinged.” She has urged voters to attend Trump’s rallies, describing them as revealing, where they can witness his erratic speeches firsthand. “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter, and people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” she stated.
The ad from Anti-Psychopath Pac coincides with another notable full-page advertisement in the same publication, signed by over 200 survivors of sexual assault and gender violence, including an allegation from a former associate of Jeffrey Epstein regarding Trump’s past behavior. This context amplifies the urgency of the mental health professionals’ warnings, highlighting a broader narrative of concern regarding Trump’s suitability for leadership.
As the election approaches, the call to action from these mental health experts serves as a potent reminder of the intersection between psychological well-being and political leadership, urging voters to scrutinize the implications of their choices in the upcoming election.
Read more:
- Exploring 10 Signs Of Narcissism, Symptoms & Differences
- Narcissism VS Borderline Personality: What’s the Difference?
- 4 Types of Narcissism
