[2021] [opinion] The 'Shared Psychosis' of Donald Trump and His Loyalists
[2021] [opinion] The 'Shared Psychosis' of Donald Trump and His Loyalists
Forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee explains the outgoing president’s pathological appeal and how to wean people from it
“Shared psychosis”—which is also called “folie à millions” [“madness for millions”] when occurring at the national level or “induced delusions”—refers to the infectiousness of severe symptoms that goes beyond ordinary group psychology. When a highly symptomatic individual is placed in an influential position, the person’s symptoms can spread through the population through emotional bonds, heightening existing pathologies and inducing delusions, paranoia and propensity for violence—even in previously healthy individuals. The treatment is removal of exposure.
This post is as edgy as will be allowed in c/humanrights. The goal of this community is to discuss human rights, not politics.
Appropriate comments would follow this sort of pattern:
If people are truly succumbing to a shared psychosis or "popular delusions", as Charles Mackay describes these phenomenon, then from a human rights based perspective, we need to treat these people with extra attention to respecting their right to hold an opinion, the right to share an opinion, the right to dignity, and their right to privacy, and their right to be free from attacks on their honor or reputation.
That being said, one shouldn't let fear prevent one from sharing one's own opinion. Just do one's best to respect the rights of the other while doing so.