Reason #12: Vindictiveness
Why do we need to defeat Donald Trump and ensure that a Democrat occupies the White House?
When I posted Reason #10, I wanted to fact check my post and sent it to a few psychiatrists I respect. In addition to finding no reason to disagree with a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Richard Koenig MD of Westhampton, NY suggested that I might look into the adult form of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
What is adult ODD (AOD)?
Let’s first consider childhood ODD. The Mayo Clinic web site describes a “frequent and ongoing pattern of anger, irritability, arguing and defiance toward parents and other authority figures. ODD also includes being spiteful and seeking revenge, a behavior called vindictiveness.” “These behaviors cause severe problems with relationships, social activities school and work for both the child and the family.” For diagnosis, the pattern or behavior must last more than six months. To be labeled severe it must take place in three settings, e.g . “at home, school, social activities and with friends.” Such behavior might explain why Donald Trump was sent off to a military boarding school.
The diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association DSM 5, 2013, ask that the individual” exhibit at least four of eight signs and symptoms that meet the diagnostic threshold for ODD”. They include
“Often loses temper.
Is often touchy or easily annoyed.
Is often angry and resentful.
Often argues with authority figures…
Often actively defies or refuses to comply with requests from authority figures or with rules.
Often deliberately annoys others.
Often blames others for their own mistakes or misbehavior.
Has been spiteful or vindictive at least twice within the past six months.
Again, you be the diagnostician. Ask yourself about the wisdom of electing a disturbed individual with severe anger issues, who is persistently resentful, who defies regulations designed to protect state secret documents and who vindictively attacks those who do not genuflect to him.
Do we want what is essentially a spoiled brat of pathologically cosmic proportions in the Oval Office? Do we really want a president with a maxim on his desk reading “The buck stops anywhere but here.”
Have a heart; use your mind, search your conscience, and vote for Democratic candidates – across the ballot – on November 5th.
Please share this message with your friends and please, add your thoughts, to expand upon what are only brief sketches here.
Fred Grannis
July 27, 2024