• A narcissistic propensity to see one's world primarily as an arena in which to exercise power and seek glory
• A disproportionate concern with image and presentation
• A messianic manner
• Excessive confidence in own judgment and contempt for advice
• Exaggerated self-belief, bordering on omnipotence
• A belief that one is accountable solely to history or god
• Loss of contact with reality; often associated with progressive isolation
• Restlessness, recklessness and impulsiveness
The Guardian reports on the mental disorder:
To the Ancient Greeks, hubris was an act of arrogance and presumption that offended the gods. For Lord Owen, leader of the ill-fated SDP in the 1980s, and himself accused of overweening pride during those turbulent times, it is a medical disorder that can turn prime ministers and presidents into despots.
In a paper for the medical journal Brain, the former doctor, who trained in psychiatry, writes that what he terms hubris syndrome is an occupational hazard for those in power. David Lloyd George had it, he concludes reluctantly of a Welsh hero, and so did Neville Chamberlain. In recent times, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair had it, and so did Blair's joint perpetrator of the Iraq war, George Bush.
The syndrome is not limited to politicians: Owen sees hubris syndrome in the bankers whose pride has landed them in the hands of Nemesis, the Greek god of revenge, as the public bays for their bonuses.
Owen, who previously explored political hubris in a book, hopes with his scientific paper and a discussion at the conference of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in June to persuade doctors to take hubris syndrome seriously. Acceptance by doctors will lead to greater recognition among voters and, he hopes, greater checks on prime ministers.
"Because a political leader intoxicated by power can have devastating effects on many people, there is a particular need to create a climate of opinion that political leaders should be held more accountable for their actions," writes Owen in his joint paper with Jonathan Davidson, a psychiatrist at Duke University Medical Centre, North Carolina.
That's an awesome find- thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just did one on that, too... and am convinced he's off his rocker, seriously-
Narcissists are often callous- and even ruthless. They tend to lack empathy and/or a conscience. This is evident in Obama's lack of interest in his own half-brother who lives in poverty in Kenya, or his aunt found living in public housing in Boston.
Obama's almost certainly a pathological narcissist... the most dangerous charismatic leaders are, comes from an insecure childhood (like Barack's). --- Indicators include control freakery, grandiose self-importance, feeling "above the law", interpersonally exploitive, inability to handle criticism, lack of empathy, arrogant behavior, surrounds himself with sycophants... sound familiar?
Obama is a mess- and his insecurities, bad childhood, and irresponsible, far-left-wierdo mother are now all OUR problem, too-
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/2009/03/obama-narcissist.html
Yes, I remember that piece you wrote and it was great! How much do we know about his childhood? What caused him to be this way?
ReplyDeleteProblems problems No sense carrying the
ReplyDeleteworld on our shoulders I hope it all works out somehow, nuts in the US
911 when america attacked america , operation false flag , american goes to war with Iraq, NDAA dec 31 2011,soon complete internet control, america will go to war with Iran , the corporation that owns the defense /weapons contracts/media and everything else is the puppeteer Obama is the puppet
ReplyDeleteAMERICA you no longer have rights and you are being watched
ReplyDeleteOnly one way to take care of him
ReplyDelete