Representative Karen Bass has launched a petition on Change.org in order to enlist the aid of mental health professionals in insisting that the Republican Party take their nominee, Donald Trump, in hand and have him evaluated to determine his mental fitness for the role of U.S. president.
With a string of serious campaign gaffes, knee-jerk defensive behavior, and the petty feud he has instigated with the bereaved Gold Star family of a decorated American soldier, there has been a great deal of speculation in the press about the state of Donald Trump’s mental health, as well as that of his supporters.
From remarks about his “unfitness” to ad hoc diagnoses of “sociopath” from those both qualified and unqualified, a California Democrat has decided to put the question to rest and require Trump to undergo testing.
According to US News, Bass posits that Trump exhibits the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) in accordance with the current criteria of the American Psychiatric Association. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the official set of guidelines for diagnosing mental illness as well as behavioral and personality disorders.
As contained in the text of the petition:
‘It is entirely possible that some individuals with NPD can successfully function in many careers, but not the Presidency of the United States.’
The petition currently has over 14,000 signatures as of this writing.
Bass has distributed and promoted the petition with the use of the #DiagnoseTrump hashtag. The hashtag is also used in this tweet by Jeffrey Flier, the former dean of Harvard Medical School, who suggests that Trump displays the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder:
Narcissistic personality disorder. Trump doesn't just have it, he defines it. #trumpdiagnosis https://t.co/2WegZrrlJ7
— Jeffrey Flier (@jflier) July 30, 2016
Whether or not they support Donald Trump, some people are in opposition to taking this angle to discredit him, saying that a campaign to evaluate Trump’s mental health only further stigmatizes those suffering from mental illness. Others say that blaming his bigotry and misogyny on a mental illness provides an “excuse” for his offensive positions on Muslims and Mexicans and his disrespect for women.
Don't #DiagnoseTrump and make him the face of any mental illness he may have. It stigmatizes the mentally ill who manage to not be vile.
— L. D. Lewis ? (@Ellethevillain) August 4, 2016
If you’re taking part in this #DiagnoseTrump business you’re engaging in ableism and perpetuating stigma and need to check yourself.
— Mx. Amadi (@amaditalks) August 4, 2016
#DiagnoseTrump just stigmatizes mental illness & excuses his bigotry.
RT #DontDiagnoseTrumphttps://t.co/J8yFP53JF3 pic.twitter.com/rIuH5nsKuw— The Tylt (@TheTylt) August 4, 2016
Andrea Grimes, editor for the Texas Observer, feels that mental illness has nothing to do with Trump’s bigotry.
https://twitter.com/andreagrimes/status/761000713723916288
Others think that ascribing a personality disorder to Trump gives him a pass for poor behavior that is his choice to indulge.
Bigotry is a choice. Hatred is a choice. Using #diagnoseTrump conflates behavioral choices with mental health issues, which aren't a choice.
— Ultimate Oddball?♂️⚡️? (@ultimateoddball) August 4, 2016
In the petition, Rep. Bass clearly lays out the nine symptoms that are necessary criteria for diagnosing narcissistic personality disorder from the DSM IV. The most recent version of the guide is the DSM-V (released in 2013), which breaks symptoms down further for professional use. A comparison of the two editions is available in a side-by-side format from the American Psychiatric Association.
The DSM-IV criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are:
A. A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).
2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high status people (or institutions).
4. Requires excessive admiration.
5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.
6. Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.
7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
The petition is accessible at Change.org.
Featured image via Getty Images
