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Trump’s Psychopathology Is Getting Worse [BARF]
Project Syndicate: The World's Opinion Page ^ | July 3, 2018 | JEFFREY D. SACHS , BANDY X. LEE

Posted on 07/04/2018 7:22:44 PM PDT by AndyJackson

Most pundits interpret the US president’s outbursts as playing to his political base, or preening for the cameras, or blustering for the sake of striking future deals. In fact, Trump suffers from several psychological pathologies that render him a clear and present danger to the world.

NEW YORK – Seemingly every day now, US President Donald Trump escalates his policy and personal attacks against other countries and their heads of state, the poor and the weak, and migrant families. Most recently, Trump has championed the heartless separation of migrant children from their parents. Though public outrage may have forced him to retreat, his disposition to attack will soon make itself felt elsewhere.

Most pundits interpret Trump’s outbursts as playing to his political base, or preening for the cameras, or blustering for the sake of striking future deals. We take a different view. In line with many of America’s renowned mental-health experts, we believe that Trump suffers from several psychological pathologies that render him a clear and present danger to the world.

Trump shows signs of at least three dangerous traits: paranoia, lack of empathy, and sadism. Paranoia is a form of detachment from reality in which an individual perceives threats that do not exist. The paranoid individual can create dangers for others in the course of fighting against imaginary threats. Lack of empathy can derive from an individual’s preoccupation with the self and a view of others as mere tools. Harming others causes no remorse when it serves one’s own purposes. Sadism means finding pleasure in inflicting pain or humiliating others, especially those who represent a perceived threat or a reminder of one’s weaknesses.

We believe that Trump has these traits. We base our conclusion on observations of his actions, his known life history, and many reports by others, rather than as the finding of an independent psychiatric examination, which we have previously called for, and call for again. But we do not need a complete picture to recognize that Trump is already a growing danger to the world. Psychological expertise tells us that such traits tend to worsen in individuals who gain power over others.

To justify his belligerent actions, Trump lies relentlessly and remorselessly. In fact, according to a Washington Post analysis, Trump has made over 3,000 false or misleading claims since taking office. And, the Post notes, his lying seems to have escalated in recent weeks. Moreover, Trump’s confidants describe him as increasingly likely to ignore any moderating advice offered by those around him. There are no “grownups in the room” who can stop him as he surrounds himself with corrupt and bellicose cronies prepared to do his bidding – all of which is entirely predictable from his psychology.

Trump’s wild exaggerations in recent weeks reveal the increasing severity of his symptoms. Consider, for example, his repeated claims that the vague outcome of his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un constitutes an end to the nuclear threat posed by Kim’s regime, or his blatant lie that Democrats, rather than his own policies, caused the forced separation of migrant children from their parents at the southern border with Mexico. The Post recently counted 29 false or misleading statements in a mere one-hour rally. Whether intentional or delusional, this level of persistent lying is pathological.

Since Trump actually lacks the ability to impose his will on others, his approach guarantees an endless cycle of threats, counter-threats, and escalation. He follows any tactical retreat with renewed aggression. Such is the case with the spiraling tit-for-tat trade war now underway between Trump and a widening circle of countries and economies, including Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union. The same is true of Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from a growing number of international agreements and bodies, including the Paris climate agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, and, most recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council, after it criticized US policies towards the poor.

Trump’s paranoia is translating into heightened geopolitical tensions. Traditional allies, not accustomed to dealing with US leaders with severe mental defects, are clearly shaken, while adversaries appear to be taking advantage. Many of Trump’s supporters seem to interpret his shameless lying as bold truth-telling, and pundits and foreign leaders tend to believe that his bizarre lashing out reflects a political strategy. Yet this is a misunderstanding. Trump’s actions are being “explained” as rational and even bold, whereas they more likely are manifestations of severe psychological problems.

History abounds with mentally impaired individuals who have gained vast power as would-be saviors, only to become despots who gravely damage their societies and others. Their strength of will and promises of national greatness entice a public following; but if there is one lesson of this kind of pathology in power, it is that the long-term results are inescapably catastrophic for all.

We should not remain immobilized by fear of a future disaster. A leader with dangerous signs of paranoia, lack of empathy, and sadism should not remain in the presidency, lest he commit devastating damage. Any appropriate measure to remove the danger – the ballot box, impeachment, or invocation of the US Constitution’s 25th Amendment – would help restore our safety.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Sustainable Development and Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, is Director of Columbia’s Center for Sustainable Development and of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. His books include The End of Poverty, Common Wealth, The Age of Sustainable Development, and, most recently, Building the New American Economy.

Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist at Yale School of Medicine and a project leader for the World Health Organization.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: columbiau; derangementsyndrome; jeffreysachs; psychobabble; trump; zzzz
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Here's the trade press on Sachs: Sahcs holds the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs and is a professor of health policy and management at Columbia's School of Public Health.

Sachs joined the Harvard facultyin 1980 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1982. A year later, at the age of 28, this world clas wiz-kid became a full professor of economics.

21 posted on 07/04/2018 8:02:33 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: AndyJackson
Back in 1994, I came across a book called, "Without Conscience" written by one of the leading psychopathologists known today, Dr. Robert Hare. I read the book because I was really interested in the topic. As I was reading it I couldn't help but filling in some blanks with Bill and Hillary's names.

I went through his book again after I read it and wrote down all the specific traits down the middle of a legal pad. On one side I put Bill's name and on the other side I put Hillary's name. Then I went down each side and checked off each one to see if either of them had that psychopathic trait.

Both of them were missing only four traits. And they weren't the same four traits. Turns out the two of them, Bill and Hillary Clinton are a perfect psychopathic pair.

Now, I spent the rest of 1994 telling people about my discovery. Good Lord, I have not seen more blank looks. It was as if they could not understand the words coming out of my mouth. The following year I kept telling people and they began to shake their heads in agreement, however still not fully comprehending what I told them. Today, I can mention it and there is full understanding of my words.

This chickeepoo who holds a doctorate and claims that Trump's psychopathology is "getting worse" needs to have her own head examined.

22 posted on 07/04/2018 8:03:27 PM PDT by Slyfox (Not my circus, not my monkeys)
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To: DoodleBob
FReepers have uncovered that she is not licensed to practice psychology in her state.

Sigmund Fraud, anyone?

23 posted on 07/04/2018 8:52:22 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no gstandards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: AndyJackson
The American Psychiatric Association told these people to stop it.

It's unethical to diagnose people without interviewing them personally and administering psychological tests.

And this is pure projection.

They're the ones whose psychosis is getting worse.

24 posted on 07/04/2018 8:54:05 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
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To: AndyJackson

Why bother posting crap from the delusional So?


25 posted on 07/04/2018 9:04:08 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Nifster

This crap isn’t from just any delusional. It’s from Jeffrey Sachs. It’s like it came from Pelosi or Waters.


26 posted on 07/04/2018 9:21:17 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: AndyJackson

Get the net......


27 posted on 07/04/2018 9:26:30 PM PDT by tenthirteen
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To: Pontiac
For a man with a progressive psychological disorder he sure is whipping some Progressive A$$.

But opposition to liberalism is itself proof of insanity. The more you fight it the crazier you must be.< /sarc>

See also: Political abuse of psychiatry in the Soviet Union

28 posted on 07/04/2018 9:31:12 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (I can't tell if we live in an Erostocracy (rule by sex) or an Eristocracy (rule by strife and chaos))
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To: AndyJackson
Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist at Yale School of Medicine and a project leader for the World Health Organization.

Then why are there a bunch of nekkid pictures of her on the Internet?

One would think that she's a stripper and a whore from the content of those pix.

29 posted on 07/04/2018 9:43:56 PM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: Slyfox
This chickeepoo who holds a doctorate and claims that Trump's psychopathology is "getting worse" needs to have her own head examined.

Or maybe the baby Harp seal cure...

30 posted on 07/04/2018 9:45:05 PM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: AndyJackson

And your point is what? Crap is crap


31 posted on 07/04/2018 10:34:22 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: AndyJackson

Author has his head stuck up his ass. This is just more Marxist wishful thinking.


32 posted on 07/04/2018 10:54:02 PM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: AndyJackson

Liberal psychologists diagnosing conservatism as a mental disorder.

It’s not a medical opinion but rather a political one and in reality it’s a form of projection.

They simply don’t like Trump, not that there’s anything wrong with him.


33 posted on 07/04/2018 11:04:18 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: AndyJackson

Liberal psychologists diagnosing conservatism as a mental disorder.

It’s not a medical opinion but rather a political one and in reality it’s a form of projection.

They simply don’t like Trump, not that there’s anything wrong with him.


34 posted on 07/04/2018 11:04:26 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: AndyJackson
Trump shows signs of at least three dangerous traits:

These authors suffer from at least three dangerous traits:

Liberalism

Anti-Americanism

and Pussyism.

Bagster

35 posted on 07/04/2018 11:04:46 PM PDT by bagster ("Even bad men love their mamas.")
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To: AndyJackson
or his blatant lie that Democrats, rather than his own policies, caused the forced separation of migrant children from their parents at the southern border with Mexico

Trump really does have power. I just found out he was imprisoning children back in 2014. Who knew??

36 posted on 07/04/2018 11:18:17 PM PDT by snowtigger (Deplorable, and proud of it!!)
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To: AndyJackson

PURE RUBBISH.....any honest, clear minded individual knows that the U.S. international trade is continually being economically exploited by enemies of our Constitutional Republic.

Similarly, global elites continually publish the most absurd lies just like the one contained in the first paragraph of this article: “Trump shows signs of at least three dangerous traits: paranoia, lack of empathy, and sadism.”.... sheer rubbish.

....just like your comment (stay away from the marijuana)


37 posted on 07/04/2018 11:37:15 PM PDT by Trump_vs_Evil_Witch (Meuller, Rosenstein,....co-conspirators to Obstruct Justice over Uranium One)
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To: bagster

Is idiocy , lunacy or nitwittery a trait?


38 posted on 07/04/2018 11:39:23 PM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Cmp?)
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To: Repeal 16-17

“I guess this week the wheel stopped on crazy.”


The Southern Poverty Law Center, Media Matters and other conspiring enemies of Make America Great Again think their best shot at an impeachment attempt against our wildly popular President is to challenge his sanity under the 25th Amendment.......

Clearly, there is far too much drug abuse among the ultra lefties.....


39 posted on 07/04/2018 11:42:38 PM PDT by Trump_vs_Evil_Witch (Meuller, Rosenstein,....co-conspirators to Obstruct Justice over Uranium One)
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To: Eddie01

It says Bandy Lee is a psychiatrist. Don’t they need an M.D? But, in many states she could have her license taken for diagnosing without clinical observation.
Projection, again.


40 posted on 07/04/2018 11:49:19 PM PDT by steve8714 ("My name is Rod Blagojevich and I need cash now!" (all) "Call JB Pritzker, 87DirtyCashNOW!")
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