For the good of the nation: The most humane and compassionate response to the challenges facing President Trump

The United States Capital — Library of Congress

My concerns are almost too numerous to mention. Essentially, I believe that whatever good intentions he may or may not have, the man is Unwell

What appear to be the symptoms of his mental illness are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) that psychiatrists use in order to determine whether or not an individual may be dangerous to oneself or to others.

I believe Mr. Trump is either Unable or Unwilling to exercise sound judgment. He shows a willful disrespect for the truth, and for common decency in his public interactions; and for these reasons alone it would be unfair to him and to the people of the United States to ask more than he is capable of, especially as the stakes are so high in this particular Office — both for our nation, and for those around the world who look to the United States to perpetuate the 240-year experiment in governance that is without doubt the best hope for peace and prosperity for Mankind.

The United States Capital Rotunda — Library of Congress

While I am neither a physician nor a psychologist, I am a Qualified Mental Health Professional, and as a graduate of the University of Virginia I have worked in both clinical settings and in corrective facilities and have been trained to be observant and to note, especially, any situation that may have the potential to signal danger — either to the individual, or to others — from those whose judgment is unsound, as a public safety matter.

Any rational, neutral third-party who has observed Mr. Trump’s behavior over the past several months — and who is generally aware of his history over the past 40 years or so — will recognize the close similarity of his public interactions, to the behaviors that are described below, here, which support the understanding that he seems to be suffering from a disordered personality which demonstrates both anti-social and narcissistic components; and while it may not be severe enough to warrant hospitalization or to protect him or those with whom he interacts, from harm, it is also clear that an individual who exhibits symptoms described below is not eligible to be entrusted with responsibilities for which they appear to be alarmingly unsuited, by definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th Edition):

>> The essential features of a personality disorder are impairments in

personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of

pathological personality traits. To diagnose antisocial personality

disorder, the following criteria must be met:

A. Significant impairments in personality functioning manifest by:

1. Impairments in self functioning (a or b):

a. Identity: Ego-centrism; self-esteem derived from

personal gain, power, or pleasure.

b. Self-direction: Goal-setting based on personal

gratification; absence of pro-social internal

standards associated with failure to conform to

lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.

AND

2. Impairments in interpersonal functioning (a or b):

a. Empathy: Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or

suffering of others; lack of remorse after hurting or

mistreating another.

b. Intimacy: Incapacity for mutually intimate

relationships, as exploitation is a primary means of

relating to others, including by deceit and coercion;

use of dominance or intimidation to control others.

B. Pathological personality traits in the following domains:

1. Antagonism, characterized by:

a. Manipulativeness: Frequent use of subterfuge to

influence or control others; use of seduction,

charm, glibness, or ingratiation to achieve one„s

ends.

b. Deceitfulness: Dishonesty and fraudulence;

misrepresentation of self; embellishment or

fabrication when relating events.

c. Callousness: Lack of concern for feelings or

problems of others; lack of guilt or remorse about

the negative or harmful effects of one„s actions on

others; aggression; sadism.

d. Hostility: Persistent or frequent angry feelings;

anger or irritability in response to minor slights and

insults; mean, nasty, or vengeful behavior.

2. Dis-inhibition, characterized by:

a. Irresponsibility: Disregard for — and failure to

honor — financial and other obligations or

commitments; lack of respect for — and lack of

follow through on — agreements and promises.

b. Impulsivity: Acting on the spur of the moment in

response to immediate stimuli; acting on a

momentary basis without a plan or consideration

of outcomes; difficulty establishing and following

plans.

c. Risk taking: Engagement in dangerous, risky, and

potentially self-damaging activities, unnecessarily

and without regard for consequences; boredom

proneness and thoughtless initiation of activities to

counter boredom; lack of concern for one„s

limitations and denial of the reality of personal

danger

C. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s

personality trait expression are relatively stable across time and

consistent across situations.

D. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s

personality trait expression are not better understood as

normative for the individual‟s developmental stage or sociocultural

environment.

E. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s

personality trait expression are not solely due to the direct

physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse,

medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., severe head

trauma).

F. The individual is at least age 18 years. >>