We need to clear up the confusion of what constitutes a true mental illness.

DSM-5 is the official publication used by psychologists and psychiatrists in the United States and much of the world to diagnose mental impairment and illness. This Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is revised every 10 years or so and is the official publication of the American Psychological Association.

I find it very amusing that those who parrot the opinions of Fox News and Newsmax as a guide to ascertaining mental impairment actually believe what they are spouting. It is laughable that someone would question Joe Biden’s mental acuity but say his opponent is not mentally impaired. You have got to be kidding!

First, let us look at our” third- party” candidate. According to him, a brain worm has been eating away at his brain. Doctors thought it was a tumor, but upon careful examination, they realized it was a parasitic “brain worm” and left it his brain. Seriously? Are we, as serious Americans, putting someone running to be Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the person who has control over the nuclear button on the ballot in November? Some voters are considering voting for this man. Have we lost our minds?

Next, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 5, a personality disorder called Narcissistic Personality Disorder (and I am quoting directly from DSM-5) “is a persuasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

–1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g. exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements.

–2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

–3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people.

–4. Requires excessive admiration.​

–5. Has a sense of entitlement (i.e. unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).

–6. Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e. takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends).

–7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify the feelings and needs of others.

–8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.

–9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.”

This is a real and documented personality disorder. We do not even need five out of nine, I count nine out of nine. My, who could this be? We also can add persecution and paranoia disorders and we have an extremely dangerous individual.

This person is sick and needs help, but there is no reasoning with someone suffering from a serious mental impairment. I am tired of people making excuses for this person, claiming that the things he says and does are normal. It is not normal. He is pathological in his ability to lie, and if he genuinely believes what he says then there are other disorders from which he may be suffering.

I find it sad that no one in his immediate family cares enough about him to try to intervene -then again- maybe they have, but he just will not listen. Like I said, there is no reasoning with mental illness.

Ann E. Taylor, PsyD
Oakwood, TX