Is Obama a narcissist?

[Guynemer]

This whole ****ing thread is a joke.

The OP asked if someone who actively sought out the most politically powerful position in the world is a narcissist. It's a ****ing job requirement; if you don't think you're better than everyone else, why the **** are you applying for the job?

I can't ****ing believe how easily some of you jackasses get trolled, honestly.

[Drake Tungsten]

The OP asked if someone who actively sought out the most politically powerful position in the world is a narcissist. It's a ****ing job requirement; if you don't think you're better than everyone else, why the **** are you applying for the job?

There's an important difference between being a narcissist and being merely narcissistic at times.

[Guynemer]

That negates absolutely nothing I said in that post. Presidents, by definition, are narcissistic by nature, all the time. Narcissists are perfectly capable of self-depricating humor, insofar that it brings them further attention and adoration.

Now stop trolling me, it won't work. Anymore.

[Drake Tungsten]

Presidents, by definition, are narcissistic by nature, all the time.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV):

The essential feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of situations and environments.

In order for a person to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) they must meet five or more of the following symptoms:

* Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

* Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

* Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

* Requires excessive admiration

* Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

* Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

* Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

* Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

* Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

That doesn't sound like Clinton, H.W. Bush or Reagan, but it sounds a lot like Obama and possibly Dubya.

[Elok]

One of my best friends is possibly the most narcissistic human being I have ever met. He mocks himself continuously, because, as Guy said, it's a means to get attention and make the conversation all about him.

Also, narcissism =/= narcissistic personality disorder. A lot of people on here behave in a manner I would characterize as "antisocial," but I don't think any of them have APD. And hell, Drake, your behavior on Poly exhibits at least half of those NPD symptoms...

[Guynemer]

Presidents, by definition, are narcissistic by nature, all the time.

That doesn't sound like Clinton, H.W. Bush or Reagan, but it sounds a lot like Obama and possibly Dubya.

1) What Elok said.

2) Seriously? You don't think those criteria could be applied to any president? Or senator or governor, or candidate for said positions? I can't believe you're less cynical than I am.

[Drake Tungsten]

Also, narcissism =/= narcissistic personality disorder.

My OP clearly demonstrated that I was asking whether Obama has narcissistic personality disorder. I even linked to an examination of whether Obama's narcissism rises to that level.

Seriously? You don't think those criteria could be applied to any president?

No, I don't. All presidents have large egos, but very few of them seem to demonstrate five or more of those symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.

[Elok]

Well, if he ever gets a clinical diagnosis, I'll be first to admit I was wrong. However, DSM-IV criteria are written such that it's very easy for amateur psychologists to mis-"diagnose." Exhibit A: all the people out there who read the criteria for Aspergers and saw themselves when they're really just ****ing nerds.

[DaShi]

Well, I'll be coming back to this thread for a laugh every now and then.

[Theben]

In Reagan's case I'd suspect that most of time he didn't know what was going on around him... he probably thought he was making fun of Gary Hart.


As for Obama, maybe he is but so what? Are you afraid that if Adimeahandjob (sp?) makes fun of him again he'll nuke Tehran?

[BeBMan]

Adimeahandjob is a nazicist.

[MikeH]

Wait, Obama is black?! WTF?

[C0ckney]

no, no. as silvio berlusconi pointed out, he's just tanned.

[Barnabas]

Black males generally have a high self esteem because of their large flesh
so yes