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Can We Talk About Donald Trump’s ADHD Now?
Let’s stop using “unfiltered” and “unconventional” as code words for ADHD.
Numerous speakers, including family members, at the recent Republican National Convention described how Mr. Trump behaves “unconventionally” and “defies expectations”, that he “speaks his mind” with words “unfiltered”, “blunt”, and “not PC”, and that he displays “impatience”, “restlessness”, and “high energy”. Their words captured the hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity that characterize the president’s ADHD.
Psychiatrists, as other physicians, formulate diagnoses in order to understand conditions, predict their future course, and select effective treatments. Medical labels should not be wielded as weapons.
We define ADHD, uniquely among major mental health disorders, by observable, objective behaviors, without needing to know one’s motivations, thoughts, or feelings. In a manner unusual for a seventy year old, Mr. Trump persistently and excessively exhibits at least fifteen of the criteria for ADHD: he misses important details, has trouble sustaining attention, doesn’t listen when spoken to, fails to finish tasks, has trouble organizing activities, avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort, is easily distracted, fidgets and squirms, stands when seating is expected, is constantly…
