I am reading
Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith (on loan from
Vulf). I really like his writing style and extremely well researched books. As the title suggests, it is about violent extremes of religion. This book is specifically about Mormon Fundamentalists, but this faith, with its more recent, easily traceable origins, is just an example of what has happened in Christianity/Islam/other religions through history (including recent)- people taking extreme interpretations of a chosen religion as justification to kill in the name of God.
During the capital murder trial an expert witness for the prosecution, Dr. Noel Gardner from the University of Utah Medical School, testifies that the defendant is not a psychotic (nor are all religious extremists as the defense implies) but that he has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). Nine traits for NPD are listed, and gosh, they remind me of someone. Follow...
Bush? Cheney? How many of these traits do you think Bush fits? My opinion is bolded. From
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith pp 306-309:
According to DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) is distinguished by:
...a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy indicated by five or more of the following:
- An exaggerated sense of self-importance. (check)
- Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. (yup)
- Believes that he or she is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high status people. (yes)
- Requires excessive admiration. (si)
- Has a sense of entitlement. (from mama)
- Selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends. (six fer six)
- Lacks empathy. (no doubt)
- Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her. (not sure about this one)
- Shows arrogant, haughty, patronizing, or contemptuous behaviors or attitudes. (yes)
Definitely 8 of 9 traits fit Bush in my unprofessional opinion. An interesting point about society in general:
...NPD is an disconcertingly common ailment. Indeed, to a noteworthy degree, narcissists fuel the cultural, spiritual, and economic engines of Western society..."Many successful people are narcissists" (says Dr. Gardner)..."they lack empathy, and cannot understand the importance of other's people's life experiences..."
Would someone with NPD more likely be a republican or a democrat? I like Jon K's take on narcissism.
Although, an exaggerated desire to mete (measure) out justice is not listed among the defining characteristics of NPD in DSM-IV, it probably should be. Narcissists erupt with self righteous indignation whenever they believe others are breaking rules, acting unfairly, or getting more than their fair share of the pie. They have no compunction about breaking the rules themselves, however, because they know they are special and the rules don't apply to them.
Does this describe the entire republican leadership? Clinton's impeachment vs. their many ethical lapses? Krakauer has more interesting thoughts.
When narcissists are confronted by people who disparage the legitimacy of their extravagant claims, they tend to react badly. They may plunge in to depression - or become infuriated..."Their reaction to criticism is intense." (says Dr. Gardner)
One could almost replace "narcissist" with "Bush", "Cheney", "Delay" or "Rove". Pick your republican.
No doubt that many politicians in general could be described as narcissist, but to clinically fit NPD is different. NPD is delusional, and not truly in touch with reality, though not necessarily psychotic or completely out of touch with reality (as Dr. Gardner describes it). Maybe a few steps shy of psychotic. I thought it was interesting, and though the context was not related to our current administration at all, it seems to fit.
By the way, another reason I like Jon Krakauer is that having climbed Longs Peak (once, >10 years ago), I think I can really relate to his experiences on Devil's Thumb and Everest. Dough! I think I just diagnosed myself with NPD (#1, #2, #3, 8#, #9). Take the poll.