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‘Is Mr. Trump Nuts?’ Analyze This. ‘Is Mr. Trump Nuts?’ Analyze This.
(about 2 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Is Mr. Trump Nuts?” (editorial, Jan. 11):Re “Is Mr. Trump Nuts?” (editorial, Jan. 11):
If President Trump were clutching his chest or falling down repeatedly and the medical community were silent, the public would wonder what cardiologists and neurologists thought of the president’s physical health and why they were not speaking up. In your editorial you problematically argue that the perspective of the psychiatrist is simultaneously irrelevant because the “obvious” is being stated and dangerous because of public misunderstanding and stereotyping. But these are not the only possibilities. If President Trump were clutching his chest or falling down repeatedly and the medical community were silent, the public would wonder what cardiologists and neurologists thought of the president’s physical health and why they were not speaking up.
In your editorial you problematically argue that the perspective of the psychiatrist is simultaneously irrelevant because the “obvious” is being stated and dangerous because of public misunderstanding and stereotyping. But these are not the only possibilities.
It is one thing for psychiatrists to assume the role of the armchair psychoanalyst, presuming to know the deep unconscious conflicts of our president without examining him. It is this kind of (mis)conduct for which the Goldwater Rule was put in place. It is quite a different situation for a psychiatrist to illuminate an aspect of President Trump based on his observable behavior and to raise legitimate concerns about his mental health.It is one thing for psychiatrists to assume the role of the armchair psychoanalyst, presuming to know the deep unconscious conflicts of our president without examining him. It is this kind of (mis)conduct for which the Goldwater Rule was put in place. It is quite a different situation for a psychiatrist to illuminate an aspect of President Trump based on his observable behavior and to raise legitimate concerns about his mental health.
As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst I do not presume to know why President Trump has trouble staying in reality. But I do know, and the public should as well, that decision making is seriously affected when “reality testing” is impaired, and the consequences can be catastrophic.As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst I do not presume to know why President Trump has trouble staying in reality. But I do know, and the public should as well, that decision making is seriously affected when “reality testing” is impaired, and the consequences can be catastrophic.
This discourse is essential regardless of the practical impediments involved in having President Trump examined. It is a moral imperative and an act of conscience. It is also a public service — educating the electorate and daring to lift the veil of shame around mental suffering and its impact. The risk of misunderstanding and stereotyping is only exacerbated when mental health professionals are encouraged to be silent.This discourse is essential regardless of the practical impediments involved in having President Trump examined. It is a moral imperative and an act of conscience. It is also a public service — educating the electorate and daring to lift the veil of shame around mental suffering and its impact. The risk of misunderstanding and stereotyping is only exacerbated when mental health professionals are encouraged to be silent.
LARRY S. SANDBERG, NEW YORKLARRY S. SANDBERG, NEW YORK
The writer is a clinical associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College.The writer is a clinical associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
The debate over President Trump’s mental fitness has obscured what should be a more fundamental concern. The emphasis should be on the president’s cognitive functioning, the well-documented and frequently observed overreliance on stock phrases and his paucity of language. Anyone observing older interviews with Mr. Trump will note a dramatic change in language function. Whether or not this is indicative of dementia is impossible to determine, but this concern should be further addressed by an exam that includes a thorough neurological and cognitive assessment.The debate over President Trump’s mental fitness has obscured what should be a more fundamental concern. The emphasis should be on the president’s cognitive functioning, the well-documented and frequently observed overreliance on stock phrases and his paucity of language. Anyone observing older interviews with Mr. Trump will note a dramatic change in language function. Whether or not this is indicative of dementia is impossible to determine, but this concern should be further addressed by an exam that includes a thorough neurological and cognitive assessment.
Underlying neurological disturbance may result in impulsivity, disinhibition and impaired judgment. Dementia does not spare billionaires, and denial spares no one.Underlying neurological disturbance may result in impulsivity, disinhibition and impaired judgment. Dementia does not spare billionaires, and denial spares no one.
STEVEN S. ROLFE, BRYN MAWR, PA.STEVEN S. ROLFE, BRYN MAWR, PA.
The writer is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.The writer is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
May I respectfully disagree that the answer to your question is “beside the point.” No one can disagree with your position that turning out and letting our votes speak is, of course, important. However, many experts believe that President Trump suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and distorts reality to meet his extreme ego needs, rendering him blind to other views and facts but his own.May I respectfully disagree that the answer to your question is “beside the point.” No one can disagree with your position that turning out and letting our votes speak is, of course, important. However, many experts believe that President Trump suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and distorts reality to meet his extreme ego needs, rendering him blind to other views and facts but his own.
His actions are driven by his obsession to gain the praise and adoration of others that he desperately seeks. Mr. Trump cannot observe and understand reality and truth, making him incapable of evaluating situations and reaching informed decisions.His actions are driven by his obsession to gain the praise and adoration of others that he desperately seeks. Mr. Trump cannot observe and understand reality and truth, making him incapable of evaluating situations and reaching informed decisions.
Therefore, it is Mr. Trump’s mental condition that causes his erratic and irrational thoughts and behavior, which, in fact, makes him dangerous. He should be removed from office as soon as possible.Therefore, it is Mr. Trump’s mental condition that causes his erratic and irrational thoughts and behavior, which, in fact, makes him dangerous. He should be removed from office as soon as possible.
KEN LEFKOWITZ, MEDFORD, N.J.KEN LEFKOWITZ, MEDFORD, N.J.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I commend your editorial recognizing that analysis of a president from afar is, for many reasons, inappropriate and dangerous. And beside the point. Two years of exposure has told us all we need to know about President Trump. Let’s stop engaging in magical thinking about resignations and impeachments, and use our constitutionally granted right to back the right candidates and throw the rascals out at the next two elections.I commend your editorial recognizing that analysis of a president from afar is, for many reasons, inappropriate and dangerous. And beside the point. Two years of exposure has told us all we need to know about President Trump. Let’s stop engaging in magical thinking about resignations and impeachments, and use our constitutionally granted right to back the right candidates and throw the rascals out at the next two elections.
We must remember that part of the reason that Donald Trump was elected was the absence of a compelling opposition candidate and the years of perceived dysfunction in Washington. Rather than fixating on every tweet, let’s put forward better candidates and elect them.We must remember that part of the reason that Donald Trump was elected was the absence of a compelling opposition candidate and the years of perceived dysfunction in Washington. Rather than fixating on every tweet, let’s put forward better candidates and elect them.
DAVID P. LEVIN, JUPITER, FLA.DAVID P. LEVIN, JUPITER, FLA.