Obama in the DSM-IV?

Submitted by BFSkinner (United States), May 7, 2008 at 18:27

I often stop by, but never have posted. I was at Koz and read how someone there had made an innane post how Bush fulfilled the criteria (somehow, not backed up by diagnostic criteria or fact) of what he thought was a mental disorder. As a psychologist I place here line by line, from the DSM-IV the criteria for the Narcissistic personality, along with the traits that fufill the criteria.

Narcissistic DSM IV Criteria

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements):

The freshman senator told reporters in July that he would overcome Hillary Rodham Clinton's lead in the polls because "to know me is to love me."

A few months later, he said, "Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama's been there."

(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

He is a one-term US Senator running for President of the United States. Enough said.

(3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

"It's not surprising that they get bitter." Obama then told donors "They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment."

"Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula?

(4) requires excessive admiration

"It will light upon you," he continued. "You will experience an epiphany. And you will say to yourself, I have to vote for Barack. I have to do it."

But both Obama and his wife, Michelle, ooze a sense of entitlement.

"Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics," his wife said a few weeks ago, adding that Americans will get only one chance to elect him.

(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

See above.

(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

Reverend Wright….need we say more?

(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

He has blocked the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act in 1995 1996 and 2003.

He obviously feels no empathy for the bitter blue collar white voters.

(8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

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