Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stirred discussion when he spoke of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) during a conversation with podcaster Adam Carolla. The idea of assigning TDS an official International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code was mentioned by Kennedy. Though the remark possibly had a humorous undertone, Kennedy emphasized the significant stress the phenomenon has caused, even affecting his family.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist, supports Kennedy’s view, asserting that TDS is an authentic condition affecting 75% of his liberal clients in Manhattan. “I’ve seen this as a pronounced pathology,” Alpert stated to Fox News Digital. He expressed that many patients exhibit strong fixation on Trump, experiencing sleep disturbances and feelings of trauma.
“People are obsessed with Trump. They’re fixated. They’re hyper-fixated on Trump,” Alpert continued.
The influence of TDS is acknowledged by both Kennedy and Alpert as genuine, yet attributing it solely to individual mental disorders overlooks its widespread nature. Similar to classic mass hysteria, TDS spreads beyond the individual, implicating larger societal factors.
Understanding this distinction is crucial, as addressing TDS requires confronting the external triggers, echoing issues seen in phenomena like trans identity. TDS reflects a pattern where beliefs are validated by external influences rather than solely internal dispositions.
Mass hysteria typically presents with distinct traits:
- Belief in a specific trigger causing symptoms
- Absence of underlying conditions prompting the symptoms
- Atypical behavior in reaction to perceived threats
- Intense fear of an exaggerated or nonexistent threat
Trump Derangement Syndrome highlights irrational fear fueled by media portrayals. Across various platforms, Trump is often cast as a pervasive threat. Historical comparisons such as the “bogeyman”—a term originating from British tales about Napoleon Bonaparte—reflects this phenomenon.
The impact on relationships is profound, potentially prompting individuals to sever ties with family members supporting Trump. Public discourse suggests such actions are not only necessary but morally justified.
Tackling TDS demands a media shift, away from perpetuating hysteria and towards responsible reporting. Historical cases, like the dancing sickness or the Salem Witch Trials, demonstrate eventual resolution of mass hysteria. Similarly, extinguishing TDS relies on media introspection and reduction of alarmist narratives.
While the end of TDS seems distant, addressing the narratives driving it can expedite its resolution.