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SummerSnow

(12,608 posts)
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:21 PM Aug 2016

Donald Trump, the narcissist.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a long-term pattern of abnormal behavior characterized by exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of understanding of others' feelings.[4][5] People affected by it often spend a lot of time thinking about achieving power or success, or about their appearance. They often take advantage of the people around them. The behavior typically begins by early adulthood, and occurs across a variety of situations.[5]

The cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown.[6] It is a personality disorder classified within cluster B by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.[5] Diagnosis is by a healthcare professional interviewing the person in question.[4] The condition needs to be differentiated from mania and substance use disorder.[5]

Treatments have not been well studied. Therapy is often difficult as people frequently do not consider themselves to have a problem.[4] The personality was first described in 1925 by Robert Waelder while the current name for the condition came into use in 1968.[7] About one percent of people are believed to be affected at some point in their life.[6] It appears to occur more often in males than females and affects young people more than older people.[4][5]

People with narcissistic personality disorder are characterized by their persistent grandiosity, excessive need for admiration, and a disdain and lack of empathy for others.[8][9] These individuals often display arrogance, a sense of superiority, and power-seeking behaviors.[10] Narcissistic personality disorder is different from having a strong sense of self-confidence. This is because people with NPD typically value themselves over others to the extent that they disregard the feelings and wishes of others and expect to be treated as superior regardless of their actual status or achievements.[8][11] In addition, people with NPD may exhibit fragile egos, an inability to tolerate criticism, and a tendency to belittle others in an attempt to validate their own superiority.[11]

According to the DSM-5, individuals with NPD have most or all of the following symptoms, typically without commensurate qualities or accomplishments:[8][11]

Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from others
Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.
Self-perception of being unique, superior and associated with high-status people and institutions
Needing constant admiration from others
Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others
Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain
Unwilling to empathize with others' feelings, wishes, or needs
Intensely jealous of others and the belief that others are equally jealous of them
Pompous and arrogant demeanor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

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Donald Trump, the narcissist. (Original Post) SummerSnow Aug 2016 OP
Borderline personality disorder is also interesting. Of course people are combinations too. uppityperson Aug 2016 #1
All politicians are slightly narcissistic. Trump is far gone. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #2

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
1. Borderline personality disorder is also interesting. Of course people are combinations too.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:40 PM
Aug 2016
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder

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Signs and symptoms Edit

Borderline personality disorder may be characterized by the following signs and symptoms:

Markedly disturbed sense of identity
Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
Splitting ("black-and-white" thinking)
Severe impulsivity
Intense or uncontrollable emotional outbursts that often seem disproportionate to the event or situation
Unstable and chaotic interpersonal relationships
Self-damaging behavior
Distorted self-image[3]
Dissociation
Frequently accompanied by depression, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, or rage


The most distinguishing symptoms of BPD are marked sensitivity to rejection or criticism, and intense fear of possible abandonment.[6] Overall, the features of BPD include unusually intense sensitivity in relationships with others, difficulty regulating emotions, and impulsivity. Other symptoms may include feeling unsure of one's personal identity, morals, and values; having paranoid thoughts when feeling stressed; dissociation and depersonalization; and, in moderate to severe cases, stress-induced breaks with reality or psychotic episodes.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,994 posts)
2. All politicians are slightly narcissistic. Trump is far gone.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:11 PM
Aug 2016

Being slightly narcissistic is necessary to have a thicker skin and not get depressed by the constant attacks politicians receive.

But Trump had those symptoms in full display to a great degree long before 2015. Though he made furtive stabs at getting a Presidential bid going several times since 2000, he never experienced it like a politician does, until 2015.

Trump parlayed his symptoms with books, interviews, WWE, and his TV so-called "reality show". Entertainment is always a bit of a con and Trump's form of entertainment does not require talent such as musicians and actors have.

Essentially he has had the disorder since before high school. He got sent to the New York Military Academy by his parents for misbehavior after an incident against a teacher in grade school.

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