Trump's Pathological Narcissism — Letters that should have been in the new york times

To the editor:

Perhaps it was in an effort to appear balanced that you chose to publish a letter (10/20/19) that offered a counter-argument to the the prevailing view that Donald Trump has severe narcissistic pathology. But quoting an expert, Allen Frances, and then taking his words out of context is misleading at best. What Allen Frances wrote two years ago was that there were, in essence, exclusionary criteria that precluded making a diagnosis: 'he does not suffer from distress and impairment required to diagnose a mental disorder.'

Is there anyone observing President Trump today, supporters and non-supporters alike, who would conclude that President Trump is not in distress? That he doesn't grasp the source of distress as his own psychopathology is, by definition, a narcissistic perspective. But reports of his distress are in the news on a daily basis and evident in his tweets. Can one honestly look at President Trump's decision making and conclude there is no impairment? Even Republicans have been up in arms about Syria and the G7 fiasco.

Ironically, and sadly enough, President Trump hits the ball out of the park when it comes to narcissistic personality disorder. Only five of nine characteristics are needed to make the diagnosis; he has all nine! Legitimate differences of opinion exist as to how to handle an unfit President. But the public should understand, without doubt, that they are witnessing the unraveling of narcissistic pathology in the most powerful man in the world.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg