Inside the mind of a psychiatrist – Page 80 – Inside The Mind of a Psychiatrist

Everyone has an opinion about why Donald Trump is still the Republicans’ #1 candidate.

His politically incorrect stance on immigration, foreign policy, trade, Muslims, and even on beating up people who disrupt his speeches, is a combination of appalling, intriguing, and flat out entertaining.

Many of his supporters don’t seem a bit bothered by his bullying style. He has stated that if fellow Republicans say anything that is not accurate or a lie it will be his pleasure to sue them. Geez. Maybe if I say the wrong thing he’ll sue me and the notoriety will make me famous enough to sell my books. On the other hand, I don’t know any psychiatrists with an eight billion dollar war chest. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t sue me…

But, back to, Why is this man who has been identified as grandiose, narcissistic, brilliant, a fool, and dozens of other colorful adjectives, still the front-runner and gaining every week in the polls?

There’s a concept in psychiatric thinking that seems to answer the question. It’s called Identification with the Aggressor. Another way to look at it is that the weak find solace and strength in the powerful.

Think about the battered wife who goes out of her way to hide her bruised body and protect the man who regularly harms her. Her perverse logic is that he’s really a good man who can’t help himself. The truth, if she ever has the strength to face her real feelings, is that she believes she desperately needs him. He is the strength that she doesn’t have and without him she believes she will surely fail. She identifies with the bully’s strength and can function better because his strength is now her strength.

So are The Donald’s supporters all like battered wives?

Maybe…

For years we have helplessly endured a pathetic, weak congress who have led our country into a dysfunctional mess. Then along comes a billionaire who couldn’t care less what he says or who he offends. It’s exciting and heady being able to tell the establishment to go to hell. It’s fun watching and listening to someone tell all these professional politicians that they are incompetent fools.

On the other hand, letting a bully loose in the world schoolyard is very dangerous. Just like the battered wife loses her identity as a human being, we risk losing who we are as a democracy and a country that thrives and encourages diversity.

So what’s the answer? Let our current politicos abuse us or let The Donald abuse us?

We don’t have to let anyone abuse us! We are not battered wives or husbands or need to be a battered electorate. Vote for the people you believe in. Forget what party they belong to! Focus on what they can do to solve our current dilemmas. We don’t have to identify with a man we don’t believe in just because he’s not afraid to say whatever thought passes through his mind.

Art Smukler is an award-winning psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.

Donald Trump doesn’t care who he offends. Whether you agree or disagree with his political statements, he’s making them without any consideration for the far right Republican Tea Party, the far left Democrats; or the holy grail military. Even the middle-of-the-roaders are standing around with their jaws agape.

If he really wants to become president, why is he making such dramatic politically incorrect statements?

Maybe it’s the fact that he has somewhere between 4 and 8 billion dollars (definitely enough to be considered F U money) and can say whatever he wants. Maybe he’s a narcissist and believes that whatever he thinks or says is verbal gold? Maybe he’s a political Howard Stern and just likes to shock people? Whatever his underlying motivation, his rhetoric is shockingly honest and unique.

He’s actually #1 in the Republican polls. Why is he so popular?

I think the american people are sick and tired of being afraid. Anti-immigration and devaluing of prisoner-of-war John McCain are statements that no one trying to get votes would publicly say, but there are many americans who obviously agree with Trump. Also, maybe it’s not his specific statements that are attracting so many supporters, but the fact that he is actually saying these things aloud rather than spouting all the veiled, politically correct statements that the other candidates bandy about.

So what does it all mean?

What it means is very scary. He’s actually gaining traction. His outlandish style is attracting millions of followers.

Yet, this man, for all the wrong reasons, can change the political scene. What if all of the candidates took heed and stopped lying and manipulating, and really spoke their hearts? We could actually choose a candidate who had values that could help our country. As a country we need politics to change. We need honest people who aren’t afraid to state their beliefs, and not just a fearless self-serving billionaire. I wish a great leader would emerge. One that says, “You’re hired,” and takes pride in caring for others rather than pompously putting them down. Trump likes people who weren’t captured, yet he never served in the military. How would he tolerate years of abuse? Would he still have a grandiose, all-knowing attitude?

Our broken system needs fixing. And, even though I don’t like or agree with Donald Trump’s politics, I like his style of not being afraid to say what’s on his mind. That’s what the United States is all about.

Picture this very grim scene.

It’s a cold January in 2017 and Donald is standing in front of the White House being sworn in by our Chief Justice. The wind rustles the barren limbs of the trees, thousands of watchers pull up the collars of their heavy coats, and Mr. Trump’s comb-over shimmers over his face as he takes his presidential vow.