A Shrink Asks: What's Wrong with Obama?

American Thinker ^ | June 11, 2010 | Robin of Berkeley

[neverdem]

So what is the matter with Obama? Conservatives have been asking this question for some time. I've written a number of articles trying to solve the mystery.  

Even some liberals are starting to wonder. James Carville railed about Obama's blasé attitude after the catastrophic oil spill. The New York Times' Maureen Dowd revamped Obama's "Yes We Can" motto into "Will We Ever?"

The liberal women of the TV show "The View" have expressed sympathy for Michelle Obama's living with a man so out of touch. Peggy Noonan, hardly a vehement Obama foe,  recently pronounced him disconnected. 

Obama's odd mannerisms intrigue a psychotherapist like me. He also presents a serious diagnostic challenge.  

For one, Obama's teleprompter and the men behind the Blackberry keep him well-scripted. We know so little about the facts of his life.

But it's more than just a lack of information. Obama himself is a strange bird. He doesn't fit easily into any diagnostic category.

Many people attribute Obama's oddness to his narcissism. True, Obama has a gargantuan ego, and he is notoriously thin-skinned.

Yet a personality disorder like narcissism does not explain Obama's strangeness: his giggling while being asked about the economy; his continuing a shout-out rather than announcing the Ft. Hood shootings; or his vacations, golfing, partying and fundraising during the calamitous oil spill.

Take also Obama's declaring on the "Today Show" that he wants to know whose ass to kick. Consummate narcissists would never stoop to this vulgar display of adolescent machismo.

Obama is flat when passion is needed; he's aggressive when savvy is required. What's most worrisome is that Obama doesn't even realize that his behavior is inappropriate.

So if it's not just simple narcissism, what is wrong with Obama? Since I've never evaluated him, I can't say for sure. But I can hazard some educated guesses.

If I saw a client as disconnected as him, the first thing I would wonder: Is something wrong with his brain? And I'd consider the following theoretical diagnostic possibilities. 

--Physical problems: There are a multitude of physiological conditions that can cause people to act strangely. For instance: head injuries, endocrine disturbances, epilepsy, and toxic chemical exposure.

It makes me wonder: Did Obama ever have a head injury? His stepfather in Indonesia was purportedly an alcoholic abuser. Was Obama subject to any physical abuse?

-- Drugs and alcohol: Damage to the brain from drugs and alcohol can also cause significant cognitive impairments. Obama once said that there were 57 states -- and didn't correct himself. Memory problems can be caused by both illicit and prescription drug use.

Obama admits to a history of drug use in his youth. Did his usage cause some damage? Does Obama still use? 

--Asperger's Syndrome: Also known as high-functioning autism, Asperger's causes deficits in social skills. A person with Asperger's can't read social cues. Consequently, he can be insensitive and hurtful without even knowing it. 

Could Obama have Asperger's? He might have some mild traits, but certainly not the full-blown disorder. In contrast to Obama, those with Asperger's get fixated on some behavior, like programming computers. Obama lacks this kind of passion and zeal.

--Mental Illness: Obama's family tree is replete with the unbalanced. His maternal great-grandmother committed suicide. His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, was particularly unhinged: He was expelled from high school for punching his principal; named his daughter Stanley because he wanted a boy; and exposed young Barry to not just drunken trash talk, but unrestricted visits with alleged pedophile Frank Marshall Davis (who might or might not be Obama's biological father). Barack Sr. was an abusive, alcoholic bigamist.

Since mental illness runs in the family, does Obama have any signs? Yes and no. No, he is not a schizophrenic babbling about Martians. But there are red flags for some other conditions.

While Obama doesn't appear to hallucinate, he seems to have delusions. His believing he has a Messiah-like special gift smacks of grandiose delusions. His externalizing all blame to conservatives, George W. Bush, or the "racist" bogeyman hints at persecutory delusions. 

Along with a delusional disorder, Obama may fit for a mild psychotic disorder called schizotypal disorder. It may explain some of Obama's oddness. 

People with schizotypal disorder hold bizarre beliefs, are suspicious and paranoid, and have inappropriate and constricted affect. They have few close friends and are socially awkward. A schizotypal is someone like your strange cousin Becky who is addicted to astrology, believes she is psychic, and is the oddball at social gatherings.

Schizotypal Disorder does ring some bells vis-à-vis Obama. One way the diagnosis doesn't fit, however, is that schizotypals are generally harmless, odd ducks. Not so with Obama.

--Trauma: My gut tells me that Obama was seriously traumatized in childhood. His mother disregarded his basic needs, dragged him all over the place, and ultimately abandoned him.

But I think there may be something even more insidious in his family background. While I can't prove it, the degree of Obama's disconnect reminds me of my sexually abused clients.

With serious sexual abuse, the brain chemistry may change. The child dissociates -- that is, disconnects from his being -- in order to cope. Many adult survivors still dissociate, from occasional trances to the most extreme cases of multiple personality disorder.

Apparently, young Barry was left in the care of Communist Frank Marshall Davis, who admitted to molesting a 13-year-old girl. As a teenager, Obama wrote a disturbing poem, "Pop," that evoked images of sexual abuse -- for instance, describing dual amber stains on both his and "Pop's" shorts.

Would trauma explain Obama's disconnect? In many ways, yes. A damaged and unattached child may develop a "false self." To compensate for the enormous deficits in identity and attachment, the child invents his own personality. For Obama, it may have been as a special, gifted person.

Let's return now to my original question: What is wrong with Obama? My guess is a great deal. The answer is complex and likely includes some combination of the above.

Along with the brain issues are personality disorders: narcissism, paranoia, passive-aggressiveness. There's even the possibility of the most destructive character defect of all, an antisocial personality. Untreated abuse can foster antisocial traits, especially among boys.

If my assessment is accurate, what does this mean? 

It means that liberals need to wake up and spit out the Kool-Aid...and that conservatives should put aside differences, band together, and elect as many Republicans as possible.

Because Obama will not change. He will not learn from his mistakes. He will not grow and mature from on-the-job experience. In fact, over time, Obama will likely become a more ferocious version of who he is today. 

Why? Because this is a damaged person. Obama's fate was sealed years ago growing up in his strange and poisonous family. Later on, his empty vessel was filled with the hateful bile of men like Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers. 

Obama will not evolve; he will not rise to the occasion; he will not become the man he was meant to be. This is for one reason and one reason alone:

He is not capable of it.

A frequent AT contributor, Robin is a psychotherapist in Berkeley and a recovering liberal. You can e-mail Robin at robinofberkeley@hotmail.com. She regrets that she may not be able to acknowledge your e-mail.

[houeto]

That would explain the multiplicity of Social Security numbers apparently used by Legion Soetoro...

That was a good one TC.

Barack Hussein Obama...Thy name is Legion!

[investigateworld]

Correct, he is used as a 'cut out' and who has the time, money, political connects etc... to develop this 'talent'?

I'm sure they're others who they started with, but Obama out shown them all.

So the question is who?

So we are down to three choices:

KGB

CIA

And seeing his anti-United Kingdom behavior, well I gotta throw in the French for good measure.

But he could be a Mossad plant in this crazy day and age ;^)

[hennie pennie]

What about just about ANY African country, or the Saudi Royals or the ISI or....... how about MI6, is that the foreign division of MI5??

What better cover than to diss the prime minister, and now with BP, something like one out of 8 pensioners in UK have lost LOTS of retirement funds when the stock plummeted to half its earlier value.

[wolfcreek]

It’s really difficult for puppets to manage a whole lot of personality.

A *Mancurian* politician wouldn’t have any emotions.

[mojitojoe]

hat he wants to know whose ass to kick. Consummate narcissists would never stoop to this vulgar display of adolescent machismo.
_________________________
Incorrect, it is typical of a narcissist, but he has more mental problems than just narcissism.

[CincyRichieRich]

“I think with Obama it boils down to one thing - revenge.”

I’ve seen the movie before...it’s called “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare...At the end of the play all the major actors are dead and the country belong to Norway.

---

That’s it exactly against whites, Europeans...take for example the Churchill bust that was sent back to England. Where is Obama from? Kenya. Kenya is what? A former British colony. Redistribution of wealth going on and remaking the world.

[zeaal]

The guy got put into office and then suddenly realized he was over his head, ill prepared, and unable to fulfill the requirements of the job -— so what is he going to do -— float through his term.

[mojitojoe]

He’s not thin skinned. It’s far more than that. When criticized he wants revenge. He can’t imagine that anyone doesn’t adore him and if they don’t, he wants to harm them. Not only does he have mental disorders, several in my opinion, he is an evil revolutionary Marxist.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

In the context of the comments about the “bitter” losers in small towns clinging to guns and religion and the autobiographical comments about how to speak with “no sudden moves” in order to reassure people, anything is possible. The suspicion would be of grandiose narcissism and some sociopathic tendencies.

[zeaal]

Did I read he traveled to Pakistan while a college student on an Indonesian passport? Anyone recall?

[mojitojoe]

THE ANGRY SIDE:

[mojitojoe]

One wonders what meds Barry's taking these days. __________________ This photo was from yesterday and I thought his eyes looked really glassy and red.

[240B]

Wow!

Without saying a single word.

you have just sent me
the most disturbing post
i have every received.

wow
wow
this is not going to end well.

[240B]

I saw this in the Military.

Armatures always equate anger with leadership, and unfounded confidence with competence.

Seen it a million times. It is all so obvious.

[mojitojoe]

There is one great opportunity to really see the real Mr. O. It was at the coal miners service, as he was repeatedly ignored and rejected. His behavior was a real study in the psychological makeup of this man. An old colleague of mine called me to discuss it. We had a very interesting 2 hour phone call as we watched the video over and over.

O is really a very easy read. He has certain looks for each emotion and they rarely vary. You really need to watch the video and watch his behavior as he is rejected over and over again. Then look at the photo when he got off of Marine 1. He was seething with anger at the rejection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fijMFQI-RXk

10 minute video from WV Miner Memorial Service:

The crosses and helmets were lined in front of the stage. This video is of the miner’s family members . They had to walk past obama and Biden twice. Once as they walked up and again as they walked back. obama turned to face them each time. This was his photo -op chance but it backfired. None of them wanted anything to do with him. That’s what happens when you crash a memorial service and try to make it a political rally for your selfish self. Then you bus in people from PA and give them tickets to cheer for you.. Also saying you will bankrupt the coal industry and behaving like a Marxist isn’t going to win you friends in this town

:01 Ignored by family walking back to seats :02 O purses lips, looks angry :08 O purses lips, looks down, still angry :09 O shuffles around, looking mad :14-15 O glances at Biden to his right :16 O sticks his nose in the air

:21 Name called: Richard Lang :34 O worried face, wrinkled forehead and between nose, lips tighten :34-42 O evil eye, he tries to make eye contact for photo op but no luck :47 O makes a slight nod of his head as if he realizes this will be another ignore 1:09 Mrs. Lang breezes by, refuses to look at him, O puts his head down 1:11 O gives the evil eye, lips tighten 1:14 Biden looks down, O looks very angry, shuffles around with angry face 1:17Biden rubs his face, looking very uncomfortable. O looks pissed, his eyes shooting daggers as he watches them walk away from him and back down the aisle 1:19 O sticks nose in the air( his Mussolini look) 1:21 O looks down, angry

1:39 Name called Adam Morgan 1:53 Morgan family approaches, O looks down, then at them, no eye contact, so he sticks his nose in the air and turns and looks at his seal on his podium 2:11 O ignored by Morgan, Biden acts very nervous and is staring at O to see his reaction >p>2:28 Morgan passes back by O doesn’t look at him, O ignored again( what is kind of funny, is that each one gets to ignore him twice, since they pass as they come and as they return) 2:30 O turns, stares at her back as she walks away, giving her the evil eye, frowning, lips pursed 2:42 O looks down, he’s angry 2:44 O shuffles around uncomfortably, Biden looks down and is clearly uncomfortable (or maybe he was trying not to laugh) 2:50 O looking down at floor

2:57 Name called Edward Dean Jones 3:11 O visibly nervous, shuffling around, nervous, hoping this one will be different and give him a photo op 3:17 I desperately trying to make eye contact, staring hard for eye contact, an opening of any kind 3:19 O purses lips, slight smirk on his face as he realizes this will be more of the same 3:21 She walks back by, doesn’t look at him, O tightens his lips and glares, she’s getting a big dose of the evil eye 3:26 O looks down, he’s really pissed now 3:32An elderly man followed the woman, but he’s slower, O grabs him, briefly says something 3:36 3:36 Biden bent over and was saying something to elderly man 3:55 wife passes back by, walking fast and ignoring them and taking the elderly man with her. O looks at her, tightens lips and glares. He’s pissed 3:56 O looked angry and embarrassed, how dare they shun him, he is dear leader, he tightens lips, gives her back the evil eye 3:59 O still trying to make eye contact with other members of the family, no luck and they walk away 4:04 O keeps giving them the evil eye as they walk away, eyes shooting daggers 4:06 o looks down, shuffles around, Biden stares at O and for a minute I thought Biden was enjoying it 4:14 O sticks nose in air

4:27 Name called Robert Eugene Clark, O looks at stage 4:42 O burps? 4:53 Ignored again as she passes him 5:14 As she passes back by, Mrs. Clark makes eye contact with Biden and O as she is walking but it’s more of a glare at O, he obviously sees she is not approachable. O’s eyes follow her 5:15 O tightens his lips, looks her up and down as she walks away 5:18 O looks down, lips tighten, Biden looks down too, O shuffles around, Biden shuffles around 5:28 O looks down and he is pissed, O shuffles around some more, Biden looking very uncomfortable as he sees O’s body language

5:36 name called Joe Markham 5:45 O claps, sticks nose in air 6:04 Two women in black t-shirts pass by, no eye contact 6:30 2 women pass back by, they look away, ignored again 6:37 O turns, looks at his feet, has a look on his face like he realizes it’s all going to be like this, maybe realizes it’s not all about HIM 6:48 O sticks nose in air 6:49 O looks down, shuffles around, making all sorts of faces, he is PISSED, and time is running out for those photo ops and how dare they snub him, Biden looks worried now

6:59 Name called Ronald Lee Morgan, O claps and sticks nose in air 7:30 Mrs. Morgan walks past, no eye contact, ignored again. Some of the family is standing in aisle by O, no eye contact from them so O walks over to them, grabs woman in pink dress, puts his arm around her and shakes her for a minute or so, very weird. 7:54 Mrs. Morgan walks back past O, ignores him, collects woman in pink dress, . O looks pissed and steps away back to his place 8:15 O sticks nose in air

8:28 Name called Dillard Earl Dewey Ersinger 8:52 Walks by O, no eye contact 9:03 Baby or toddler in audience screaming and throwing a fit, O facing stage showing his enormous, oddly shaped ears 9:14 Miner’s son walks back by, no eye contact, ignored by a kid. O really wanted that one, kids are higher priority photo op. Darn! 9:17 O turns, watches him walk back and makes some of the strangest faces in the video 9:25 O looks to front left, makes eye contact with someone(probably staff) and smirks, flips his head, looks back at aisle with smirk on his face 9:29 O sticks nose in air 9:31 O looks down and shuffles, another name coming up, another humiliation?

9:39 Name called Rex Lane Mullins 9:54 Last name to be called, O desperately trying to make eye contact, seems to be wondering if he should just jump out there, but what if he is rejected? He thinks that he better not try it. O staring hard, not taking his eyes off, hoping for an opening, there was none. 10:02 Lots of applause for this miner’s wife, not sure why. 10:22 She passes back by O, walking fast, ignores, no eye contact. 10:25 O pursed lips, angry.

End of video

Here are a few pics, not great quality, but snags from the video and a photo of him after getting off Marine 1 after the event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fijMFQI-RXk

[mojitojoe]

That’s weed. He’s still hitting the bong.

[mojitojoe]

Motorcycle?

[mojitojoe]

Take your blinders off, fool.

[thecodont]

Thank you for this very detailed post, and the pictures.

Thanks also for including Biden’s reactions. From what you’ve said here, Biden seems to have some amount of emotional intelligence appropriate to the situation.

[mojitojoe]

Are you a pathological narcissist, borderline sociopath?

Pathological Narcissism is a dangerous mental illness and the Kenyan is definitely suffering from it. He also has the worst type: Grandiose or Malignant: an exaggerated sense of self-importance, feels privileged, exploits others, and lusts after power. Pathological narcissism is a life-long pattern of traits and behaviors. It is an infatuation and obsession with one's self and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and ambition.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a pattern of self-centered or egotistical behavior that shows up in thinking and behavior in a lot of different situations and activities. People with NPD won't (or can't) change their behavior even when it causes problems at work or when other people complain about the way they act, or when their behavior causes a lot of emotional distress to others (or themselves? Narcissists never admit to being distressed by their own behavior -- they always blame other people for any problems).

This pattern of self-centered or egotistical behavior is not caused by current drug or alcohol use, head injury, acute psychotic episodes, or any other illness, but has been going on steadily at least since adolescence or early adulthood.

Whatever they may be doing, in their own view, they are the star, and they give the impression that they are bearing heroic responsibility for their family or department or company, that they have to take care of everything because their spouses or co-workers are undependable, uncooperative, or otherwise unfit. They ignore or denigrate the abilities and contributions of others and complain that they receive no help at all; they may inspire your sympathy or admiration for their stoicism in the face of hardship or unstinting self-sacrifice for the good of (undeserving) others.

But this everyday grandiosity is an aspect of narcissism that you may never catch on to unless you visit the narcissist's home or workplace and see for yourself that others are involved and are pulling their share of the load and, more often than not, are also pulling the narcissist's share as well.

Narcissists cultivate solipsistic or "autistic" fantasies, which is to say that they live in their own little worlds (and react with affront when reality dares to intrude).

They want praise, compliments, deference, and expressions of envy all the time, and they want to be told that everything they do is better than what others can do.

Sincerity is not an issue here; all that matter are frequency and volume. Narcissists use other people to get what they want without caring about the cost to the other people.

They are unwilling to recognize or sympathize with other people's feelings and needs. They "tune out" when other people want to talk about their own problems.

They show arrogant, haughty, patronizing, or contemptuous behaviors or attitudes.

SOUND FAMILIAR??? This isn't a joking matter, it's a very serious, dangerous mental illness and to have someone like this ruling the country with an iron fist, dangerous!!!.

He also demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements. Narcissists are obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance.

He requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation - or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious. The narcissist feels entitled. He demands automatic and full compliance with his unreasonable expectations for special and favorable priority treatment. A a result, he is often "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends.

Narcissists lack empathy. They are unable or unwilling to identify with, acknowledge, or accept the feelings, needs, preferences, priorities, and choices of others. The narcissist is arrogant and haughty. He feels superior, omnipotent, omniscient, invincible, immune, "above the law", and omnipresent (magical thinking). Rages when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted by people he considers inferior to him and unworthy.

read more:

http://open-site.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Psychiatric_Disorders/Personality/Narcissistic/