Sometimes, something happens in one's environment that is traumatic,or is a major problem,or is a danger/threat to one's self preservation. When that happens, it can make a person so confused that they feel a strong need to get clear. This leads to the narrowing of one's focus, and the formation of a new defensive or compensatory identity, or role, or self image.When one fuses with the new identity, it becomes like an addiction, and one cannot let go of it.
...and he’s being supported in his insanity by the equally insane culture. We used to treat people like that for the mental illness they clearly have.
But this is a great comparison. Both of them self-identify as something they clearly aren’t.