Trump won the election for President of the United States of America. Practically since he took the oath of office, he was criticized for being Mentally Ill. I wonder if he knew he would have a mental health bull’s eye attached to his back? Someone cried “Fire!” or rather “Mentally ill!” The people thought he had a bad press conference or a particular tweet that was off. So, the people have been running “like crazy,” in “fear,” of a “monster” ever since.

Feldman says “Calling the president crazy is a way of trying to end political conversation, not start it.

Feldman continued, fundamentally contradicts the goal of politics in a republic, which is supposed to be based on dialogue and engagement, not conclusory diagnosis.”

I love these stand-up Monday morning shrinks and psychiatrists (licensed and unlicensed). They usually give their point of view on the mental health of the president. It is which flavor of the month to label Donald Trump mentally ill.

It was face-to-face professionalism when I was assessed

My current diagnosis is bipolar 1 with psychotic features, rapid cycling, and mixed episodes. My first diagnosis, I spent 60-90 minutes face-to-face with the psychiatrist. My second diagnosis, I had spent about a year with my psychologist, so we had a history together.

In addition to his face-to-face time with me, he gave me a formal test called the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). My psychologist took the previous year we spent in his office talking about my illness through an interview and the PAI to formulate a diagnosis.

A very possible hypothetical

A bad day at work started off on a rainy Monday morning without an umbrella.

Then you receive a phone call from a pushy customer. They are doing everything in their power to press every button of yours. Well, unprofessional or not, you lose it. After handing out a seething soapbox speech on the virtues of being rude vs. polite, you put the phone down firmly.

The moment your hand leaves the phone, you notice your co-workers.

From across the room, they are talking, pointing and staring at you. Everybody has a bad day at work from time to time. What’s the big deal? At worst you will get a note in your file. At the very least, the customer will request another buyer with whom to speak. But that is not what happened.

In the break room, your lunch buddy sits with you out of the kindness of his heart. He still feels very uncomfortable to be alone in your presence. He leans over the table and shares with you what everybody working at the company is thinking. “You have bipolar.” “You are off your meds.”

You may or may not be thinking “This is profiling!” I know I am thinking the person in all reality had a bad day and got on the wrong side of a horrible customer.

Not bipolar! However, his co-workers are crazy for assuming he was mentally ill. In order to determine that, he would need to be properly evaluated.

As reported by the News Tribune, "Many [mentally ill] face discrimination by employers who see them as incapable." So whether or not you have a Mental illness or something that makes people wonder, the workplace can be ripe with stigma.

The future of mental health is shakey

It is completely unfair for people who should know better and people who do not know the difference between ADHD and social anxiety, to point a finger and make a false medical call. I am afraid that the country believing the president is mentally ill is going to cause problems. It is going to stir up and increase the stigma towards the mentally ill in our country.

As a mentally ill person myself, I want to run and hide for fear of something worse than stigma.

We have created a generation who will associate [insert view about the current president] with the mentally ill. I have no opinion on the president. I do not want a negative view related to people with a mental illness.
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