Opinion> Joseph Farah> Which Candidate Has A Mental Disorder

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Which Candidate Has a Mental Disorder?

The famed Mayo Clinic offers up some signs and symptoms for narcissistic personality disorder. I'd like you to look over the list of telltale indications of this mental problem and decide for yourself whether it applies to any of the presidential candidates — male or female.

Now, I'm no doctor, but I think it does apply to one in particular. Because I don't want to prejudice your diagnosis, I will not say which one. Here goes:

— Believing that you're better than others.

— Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness.

— Exaggerating your achievements or talents.

— Expecting constant praise and admiration.

— Believing that you're special.

— Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings.

— Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans.

— Taking advantage of others.

— Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior.

— Being jealous of others.

— Believing that others are jealous of you.

— Trouble keeping healthy relationships.

— Setting unrealistic goals.

— Being easily hurt and rejected.

— Having a fragile self-esteem.

— Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional.

"Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same," the clinic continues. "Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal. In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others. When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may have a sense of entitlement. And when you don't receive the special treatment to which you feel entitled, you may become very impatient or angry. You may also seek out others you think have the same special talents, power and qualities — people you see as equals. You may insist on having 'the best' of everything — the best car, athletic club, medical care or social circles, for instance. But underneath all this grandiosity often lies a very fragile self-esteem.

You have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have a sense of secret shame and humiliation. And in order to make yourself feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and efforts to belittle the other person to make yourself appear better."

Again, think about this carefully. I believe one of the leading candidates for president suffers from this mental disorder and perhaps others.

I won't say which candidate because I think the answer is obvious, which means I'm not alone in believing a major presidential contender is mentally ill — desperately in need of therapy and certainly in need of immediate disqualification from high office.

Further, I will offer my own personal, unprofessional opinion that this candidate's spouse appears to suffer from the same condition.

Let me conclude with the following questions:

— Is there one leading candidate for president who seems to believe he or she is better than others?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who seems obsessed with power?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who, more than others, seems to exaggerate his or her achievements or talents?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who seems to be thin-skinned, in need of praise and admiration and unable or unwilling to accept criticism?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who believes he or she is "special"?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who seems unconcerned about the feelings of others?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who expects others to go along with his or her ideas and plans?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who has a history of taking advantage of others?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who looks upon others as inferior?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who seems to believe others are jealous of him or her?

— Is there one leading candidate for president who has trouble keeping healthy relationships?

— Is there one leading presidential candidate who is known for setting unrealistic goals?

— Is there one leading presidential candidate who is known for being tough-minded and unemotional?

— Is there one leading presidential candidate who seems overly conceited, boastful and pretentious?

— Is there one leading presidential candidate who has a sense of entitlement?

— Is there one leading presidential candidate who is known for expressing rage?

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.