In this first episode of my webcast, I address the issue of how to understand Trump’s need, his compulsive relentless need, to exaggerate his own accomplishments, ego, and greatness. I explain how the mind works -in all of us — to limit, reduce, negate, or otherwise get rid of painful feeling states, an effort often accomplished by exaggerating their opposite. This is a universal experience and expression of the workings of the normal human psyche. In fact, one can often infer very accurately the states of mind that are the most forbidden or intolerable by examining and understanding the ways that the person suffering from these painful states of mind goes about trying to reduce their suffering. For Trump, his bloviating narcissism, conceit, self-aggrandizing and clownish self-promotion obviously comes from his dread and intolerance of any suggestion or any feeling that he’s helpless, inferior, ashamed, or inadequate. I make the argument in this webcast that this isn’t volitional and conscious and intentional but unconscious, automatic, and compulsory. He has no choice. This means that, were he to have lost the election, it isn’t a question of whether or not he would have contested it or fomented a civil war to reverse it, but how exactly he would do it because Trump lacks the psychic freedom to do anything else.
Mysteries of the Mind | Episode #53 | Remember How We Used to Leave the House Without Masks? How I Miss Being Free of Paranoid Anxiety
Among the many losses in this current pandemic is the loss of the ability to leave one’s home and go out into the public world without paranoid anxieties. Even the measures we take to protect ourselves and others e.g. masks, social distancing, etc., are triggers reminding our brains and minds that we should be careful, cautious, and vigilant. The result is a flooding of our systems with stress hormones and a great deal of tension and distress.
People today are suffering from a lot more than the ability to leave home without worry. Still, every form of suffering is legitimate to talk about and toward which we should feel empathy and sympathy. In the end, we have to try to get through each day without hurting ourselves or others.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:38 — 7.6MB)
Mysteries of the Mind | Episode #52 | Quarantine is Forever
Among the many stressors that are causing psychological suffering during the current quarantine is the sense that there is no end in sight to the various deprivations that we’re all living with. In this sense, reality mirrors the logic of the depressed mind which always suffers in the belief that one’s current distress will always be there, that the present predicts and determines the future. The feeling that the restrictions with which we’re living will go on “forever” adds a special topspin to the stress we’re going through.
There are few psychological “tips” that can readily make this situation better. Yes, we can and should stop blaming ourselves and, yes, some form of meditation or mindfulness practice is likely beneficial. But the main thing we should be mindful about is that, rather than strive to be “productive” or “creative” during these days of self-quarantine, we should, instead, simply strive to get through each day without hurting ourselves or others. That’s right—just get through the day.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:16 — 9.5MB)
Mysteries of the Mind | Episode #51 | “Trump and the Psychology of the Victim”
Donald Trump is committed to being a victim. He is always being misunderstood and subject to unfair treatment by the Democrats, media, and “deep state.” The psychological function of holding oneself out as a martyr is to reassure oneself and the world that one is not guilty or ashamed, that one is innocent. Secondarily, however, victimhood enables one to continue to do hurtful and bad things. It’s like a “get out of jail free card.” Since one is being victimized, anything goes; any hostile or aggressive action is justified. Given that Trump feels he’s always getting a raw deal from everyone, he’s entitled to retaliate, meaning he’s entitled to do bad and harmful things (which he does). Impeachment is especially provocative for him since it’s a public accusation that he’s done bad things. As a result, he feels sadistic rage which then makes him have to present himself as even more of a victim.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:44 — 8.8MB)
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