Mandatory Psychiatric Evaluations Now!

No More Psychopaths in Government

We need to mandate psychiatric evaluations for nominees seeking office or appointment in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

The recent allegations against Graham Platner for multiple violent acts, including rape, and the accusations against Eric Swalwell of California for predatory violent acts against women further affirm that anyone seeking a leadership position should be required to undergo a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, the results of which should be made public.

I have been a mental health professional for thirty years, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why we haven’t focused on legislation to mandate forensic psychiatric evaluations, complete with all the personality inventories, for all candidates running or nominated for positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. It’s harder to get a driver’s license than to be POTUS. Although you need money for that job, no competency test is required. At least we have to take a test to drive a car.

Voters deserve to know whether individuals seeking positions of power meet criteria for what the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5TR) classifies as “Cluster B” personality disorders, which include Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, or a combination of all of the Cluster B disorders. Individuals with these disorders tend towards behaviors consistent with those of Donald Trump and most of his cabinet members, which include a lack of empathy, grandiosity, dishonesty, self-seeking, blame-shifting, inability to take responsibility for wrongdoing, delusions, paranoia, seeking revenge against perceived enemies, and many other behaviors that cause harm. People with mental illnesses can be treated and monitored because they recognize that their symptoms and behaviors are not only unpleasant for them, but may also cause harm to others.

Sociopaths, narcissists, and the like are rarely treated successfully because they don’t think they have a problem; they blame others, take revenge, lie, and deceive to seek their own ends. The purpose of evidence-based personality assessments, such as the SCID-5-PD, is to prevent people from “faking good.”

If voters were informed about the mental fitness of nominees for political office, we could make more informed decisions and, even more importantly, avoid electing people whose behavior causes harm and despair and does not serve the greater good.

Until there is legislation, we need to educate ourselves as to how to spot political candidates who may have undiagnosed mental illness and/or personality disorders that could be detrimental for all of us if they are elected.

What I noticed right away about Graham Platner’s personality was instability and his theatrics, which told me something was “off.” His blame-shifting, minimization of his past behavior related to substance use and the Nazi tattoo, and overemphasis on criticizing his opponent to elevate himself, his dishonesty, and lack of transparency all told me there was a dark side that would not serve his constituents and would be detrimental. There are too many Congressional Representatives and Senators who are unnecessarily vitriolic, bitter, reactive, and vulgar, and they do nothing to instill confidence that they are capable of finding agreement and serving the well-being of all.

Please let’s do everything possible to prevent electing more people like Donald Trump who will then surround themselves with like-minded people with dangerous personality disorders and undiagnosed, untreated substance use disorders and mental illness. We can start by informing ourselves as to what to watch out for in people seeking political office, doing our due diligence, and being relentless in communicating with State Senators and Representatives, State governors, as to the need to mandate mental health evaluations in the same way we expect completion of medical evaluations to determine fitness for duty.

Much love to all for your commitment to working together!