Watch for a Scientific American story on tRump's mental health, based on the NYT letter.

[nolabear]

One of my friends who signed the letter was contacted and interviewed about it. I assume they're contacting the others as well. It's a risk they're taking and I hope they get much support. The other side is vicious.

Give them some love when it breaks. It's supposed to be a fast-turnaround story so should come and go quick.

[bdamomma]

1. oh boy

get all those in the Psychiatry and Psychology Community to weigh in on this Please.

[nolabear]

3. There's so much worry about diagnosing en absentia but these folks are putting it out there.

They'll take heat for it, but there's so much evidence. I'm conflicted about getting out there but I support them fully.

[GusBob]

2. I'm sorry what letter?

[nolabear]

4. Sorry. A letter to the NYT re that man's mental health.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/opinion/mental-health-professionals-warn-about-trump.html

[GusBob]

6. BOOM!!!!

[Vinca]

9. Ouch. Dear Leader's not going to like that.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Those two are retired, but who are the others who are risking their professions? It takes...

a lot to get them to go public.

[nolabear]

7. There are thirty-five in total that signed.

It does take a lot.

[Ilsa]

8. K&R. Be sure to post again when it breaks. NT

[loyalsister]

10. If that happens I will lose all respect for them

This diagnosis from afar is irresponsible and just plain dumb.


The psychiatrist who wrote the guide to personality disorders says diagnosing Trump is “bullshit”

Allen Frances is a psychiatrist who wrote the rules for diagnosing personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM is the No. 1 tool mental health professionals have for making diagnoses.

Frances, a professor emeritus at Duke, doesn’t mince words about what he thinks of mental health professionals who are now using the DSM to diagnose President Donald Trump with a mental disorder. “What’s going on is bullshit,” he says.

What’s missing in Gartner’s diagnosis, according to Frances, is the key element to diagnosing all mental illness: suffering.

“Everyone has a personality,” Frances says. “It’s not wrong to have a personality; it’s not mentally ill to have a personality. It’s only a disorder when it causes extreme distress, suffering, and impairment.”

Trump’s willingness to lie and endless self-promotion are traits that have, so far, worked out largely to his advantage. He’s president of the United States, after all.

more...
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/10/14551890/trump-mental-health-narcissistic-personality

[nolabear]

11. I understand. There's a real problem with the catch-all term "mentally ill."

You can't x-ray for it, and you can't guarantee any kind of cure that will address the myriad things that come under that rubric. It's so broad that there are often no overlaps in symptoms that are referred to by that term.

The letter doesn't use that term. It's specific about concerns that he is stable and that there are dangers to him being in his position.

There isn't a diagnosis. But as I said I understand the sentiment. If they didn't think this was very, very important they wouldn't take the risk.

[loyalsister]

12. There are enough reasons to be worried about his presidency

without perpetuating the devastating stigma that goes with mental illness.