Narcissist or schizophrenic or both?

[wnylib]

We've heard a lot about Trump's malignant narcissism and dementia. But what about his paranoia?

We use the word "paranoid" loosely in everyday speech. But there is such a thing as paranoia being a psychosis and not just an adjective for some behaviors.

Trump is constantly acting on the belief that he has to always defend himself against enemies. His unpredictability is like a mechanism for protecting himself from unseen enemies who would plot against him if they knew what his plans and views were. He pits subordinates against each other because he trusts no one and wants control over would be enemies.

His actions are those of a person who has to be forever cautious and on guard. He labels people who simply disagree with him as dangerous enemies. He deploys ICE and the military to harrass, injure, and kill innocent citizens, legal immigrants, and undocumented immigrants, labeling all of them together as dangerous enemies.

He verbally attacks world leaders as enemies for not joining him in illegal war activIties. He has labeled so many people around the world as personal and national enemies that it becomes obvious that he is obsessed with believing that everyoone is either an enemy or a potential enemy. .

Isn't it time to consider whether he is a paranoid schizophrenic?

[rampartd]

1. he seems to be hearing voices as well

negotiating with iranians who don't exist and such

[Walleye]

2. He had so much money all his life and he knows he doesn't deserve it

So he’s constantly afraid people are trying to take it away from him. And he knows without his wealth nobody would have anything to do with him. Is terrified that he would have to live like a regular slob. That’s what happens when your whole existence depends on material things. we all know he is born in the privilege and didn’t have to work for it, so he knows it too. He just lies to himself and believes the lies.

[wnylib]

4. I think there's more to his behavior than that.

Yes, he acts entitled because he was born into wealth. But I don't think that he has the conscience to think that he doesn't deserve it.

He seeks wealth and adoration as substitutes for the love that his family did not give him. But he also believes that everyone around hi m us an enemy or potential enemy. Maybe that comes from the cutthroat family that he grew up in. He learned to trust no one.

But now it is far beyond that. Now he takes physical action against harmless people within the country and starts wars against countries that pose no imminent threat, all of whom he calls enemies. He either makes up stories about conversations he has had or actually believes that he had such conversations. He has no hold on reality.

[Jacson6]

3. Oh come on. DJT is just an a--hole.

[Disaffected]

13. True dat but,

he can be both (and is).

[chowder66]

5. Paranoia can be part of narcissistic collapse

Surveillance

When a person high in covert narcissistic traits enters collapse, their internal world shifts from quiet superiority to distrust, abandonment terror, and desperation to feel relevant.2,3 They can collapse inward into a state of paranoia, hypervigilance, and catastrophic fear of losing their primary source of validation, triggering fears of being forgotten. This free-fall can produce a sudden switch from avoidant behavior to a pattern of compulsive behavior.

The same person who once withdrew, stonewalled, or acted passive-aggressively may now shift into obsessively thinking about their lost "supply" and covertly monitoring them with late‑night emails, “baiting” and triangulation attempts, mysterious burner phone calls, or “accidental” attempts to bump into them when running errands or out with friends. These behaviors are designed to regain narrative control and emotional dominance, not emotional connection. It is important to recognize that their obsessiveness is not about love, closure, or providing an apology, but possessiveness, sadistic intensity, and a compulsion to reclaim what they have lost.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202512/covert-narcissism-collapse-and-the-hidden-signs

[leftstreet]

7. +1

I'll always wonder about his family - 1st term vs 2nd

They were so visible Term 1, now nothing. You don't even see them together. Makes me wonder if they stopped ego-stroking him somewhere in there and he lost a chunk of supply

[wnylib]

8. Thanks. That sheds light on Trump's intensified focus on enemies.

But the quote mentions a switch from avoidance behavior to compulsive behavior. Hasn't Trump always been confrontational and compulsive?

Later it mentions a shift away from passive aggression. Maybe I missed it but I haven't seen Trump as passively aggressive. He seems pretty overtly aggressive.

[chowder66]

14. He's shown passive-aggressive behaviors.

[malaise]

6. plus

Megalomaniac

[Irish_Dem]

9. I think he is psychotic now, perhaps BiPolar psychosis.

BiPolar is more connected to mood and thoughts.

When I look at what he is doing to the White House, the interior and exterior,
it is classic bipolar.

Schizophrenia is more disordered very disorganized thoughts/behavior
and is well identified early in adulthood.

-He is also a narcissistic personality disorder and a psychopath.
-With dementia.
-And long term drug addiction (amphetamines and cocaine.)

So right now we are looking at severe personality disorders,
psychosis, dementia, drug addiction.

The bottom line is that he is very very dangerous.
Anyone else would have been pink slipped (involuntary admit to locked psych unit.)

[wnylib]

15. Thanks for your perspective as a professional in the field.

It helps me see Trump more clearly. Probably not schizophrenic, but with a lot of other mental health issues that include paranoia.

[Irish_Dem]

17. Yes you were close! And can the pertinent symptoms and presentation.

[mr715]

20. Is borderline personality

restricted to females?

Edit: Because I've read it is a fuzzy diagnosis with its only stand out characteristic being "girls have it" but Trump seems to fulfill much of the criteria

[Irish_Dem]

21. Recent research shows BPD is evenly disturbed among males and females.

Men may present differently, more aggression and drugs, but it is still the same disorder.

Back in the day, women got a lot more mental illness diagnoses than men for a lot of reasons.
This topic would make a good dissertation.

Here is the clinical picture:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by intense emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, disturbed self-image, and unstable relationships. Key symptoms include a frantic fear of abandonment, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and self-harming behaviors. These symptoms often cause severe impairment in daily life and relationships.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes

I think Trump fits other diagnoses better.
And he already has so many of them.
He is truly impaired.

[FalloutShelter]

10. Psychopath - Dark Triad

The Dark Triad refers to a trio of malevolent personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—that, while distinct, often overlap to produce manipulative, callous, and self-serving behavior. Individuals with these traits often lack empathy, are remorseless, and may charm or deceive others to gain power or reward.
Wikipedia

[lame54]

11. Victim playing has been republican strategy...

For years
Trump just excels at it

[GoCubsGo]

12. He's a life-long substance abuser.

On top of the dementia and malignant narcissism, he's an addict and a bully. What looks like schizophrenia is more likely him on or coming down off of whatever the hell he's snorting these days. Not to mention that he's pretty much a cornered rat at this point.

[drmeow]

16. I had a roommate/good friend

who was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic in her 30's. No, Trump is not a paranoid schizophrenic.

[PeaceWave]

18. Low intelligence sociopath and narcissist. In another life, he'll be a two bit criminal who serves time.

[mr715]

19. He isn't schizophrenic.