Ask The Psychologist Issue #54: Question: I was recently asked if “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is a current mental health diagnosis
To answer this question, we first need to examine the meanings of the words derangement and syndrome.
The most common definition of derangement is: “a state of mental disturbance resulting in disorientation, poor judgment, anger, and hate—often associated with mental illness.”
Syndrome is defined as “a set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain mental disorder or an increased likelihood of developing one.”
Both terms indicate the presence of mental illness or psychological dysfunction. Therefore, if a particular trigger causes symptoms consistent with mental illness, one could argue that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” might, in theory, be considered a legitimate mental condition. Perhaps in a future edition of the psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it could even be included.
When a person’s cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, ideas, or behaviors—triggers a derangement-like response, this signals something deeper than simple disagreement. It may indicate a more serious emotional or psychological disturbance.
It’s important to remember that disagreement is a natural response to the perceptions of others. No two people share the same brain or life experiences. Every conversation involves some degree of disagreement. The key is learning to find common ground. Essentially, “You’re right for you, and I’m right for me.” If we learn how to compromise and negotiate, we can coexist peacefully. On the other hand, when people attempt to impose their perspective as the only valid one—refusing to acknowledge another’s right to their opinion—this often leads to arguments or worse.
Recent anecdotal examples include:
- A married couple moving out of a neighborhood because many of their neighbors voted for Trump. The wife has also cut ties with her parents for the same reason. When hate becomes stronger than love, this may signal a form of psychological distress.
- A woman who told me that her mother hates Trump more than she loves her own daughter—simply because the daughter supports Trump’s policies.
- A relative and a separate friend who both become visibly upset whenever Trump’s name is mentioned. This resembles a hypnotic trigger—where a certain word causes someone to behave irrationally. This is similar to indirect hypnosis.
- A friend told me that a longtime acquaintance launched into a one-sided rant about Trump policies during a phone call. The level of anger was so intense, he had to hang up.
There are countless similar examples that illustrate derangement-like behavior. Historical parallels can also be drawn. When Abraham Lincoln was elected, the hatred toward him was so intense that his life was endangered from the beginning. He even had to wear a disguise while traveling to the White House. This extreme derangement eventually helped fuel the Civil War, which cost 600,000 lives and ended in Lincoln’s assassination.
The mainstream media—both past and present—has played a role in fostering what could be called derangement syndrome by broadcasting messages filled with emotion and bias rather than facts. This contributes to widespread disorientation and hostility. Today’s media is more powerful than ever, amplifying messages of anger and hate through digital platforms, often resulting in mass hysteria.
Some media outlets and political figures appear to give people permission to act out irrationally—even violently—in public. As a result, we’ve seen riots, vandalism, and even murder. It’s a well-understood principle that individuals are more likely to act violently in groups than alone.
Historically, such outbreaks of anger have led presidents to deploy federal troops:
- George Washington during the Whiskey Rebellion
- Ulysses S. Grant in response to Ku Klux Klan violence
- Abraham Lincoln during the Draft Riots
These events were all, in part, the result of public unrest with symptoms resembling derangement.
Personally, I was once asked by a college friend working in security for a California governor to conduct a threat assessment on potential violence against Governor Jerry Brown. The letters sent to the Governor’s office were filled with unjustified hatred—what could be called “Brown Derangement Syndrome.”
This brings us to a broader question: Who benefits from widespread emotional and psychological instability among the population? Clearly, political groups can gain from stoking anger. Angry individuals often don’t think clearly, making them more susceptible to manipulation—especially during elections.
But beyond internal politics, foreign adversaries such as Communist China and Russia also benefit. These nations, both directly and through proxies, financially support divisiveness within the U.S. This is a form of unofficial warfare. They’ve long stated they plan to destroy America from within—without firing a single shot.
Bart P. Billings,Ph.D.
COL SCNG-SC, Military Medical Directorate (Ret.)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist CA PSY 7656
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist CA LMFT 4888
-Director/Founder International Military & Civilian Combat Stress Conference
-Initial Enlisted Ranks and Retired as Medical Service Corps Officer with a total of 34 years in US Army
-Recipient of the 2014 Human Rights Award from Citizens Commission on Human Rights International & The University Of Scranton “Frank O’Hara Award” in 2016.
bartbillings@yahoo.com
http://bartpbillings.com (“Invisible Scars” & “Unhealthy Eating …” Books Website)
www.combatstress.bizhosting.com (Combat Stress Conference website)
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