I'm sure trump*'s cognitive decline is affecting his ability to grasp reality

[Siwsan]

I remember some of the hardest struggles with my mom took place over issues like her misplacing something and then going on a rage filled rampage that my sister or I had stolen it. She had a touch of narcissism, herself, and her control issues and refusal to accept reality grew exponentially worse as time went by. She like to tell people that she knew she was making her kids lives a living hell, but she was mad and didn't care. She was mad that my dad had died. She was mad she had to move out of her dream house. The reality was, she was mad when it suddenly became inescapable that she really didn't have control over how her life would turn out.

Fortunately, during one of those rare lucid moments, before she took that last slide into the depths of Alzheimer's, she apologized for her behavior and admitted she should have listened to us, and hoped we would forgive her. Of course, we did.

Another reason I so despise trump* is, watching his behaviors make it so difficult for me to move past what we went through with Mom.

[enough]

1. You were so fortunate to have that apology and acknowledgment from her before she faded away.

I had exactly the same thing with my father, but without any acknowledgement.

Your comparison with Trump is right on.

[Ohiogal]

5. I had the same experience as you, enough

with my mom.

[gordianot]

2. Trump is not in cognitive decline.

This is who he is.

[Siwsan]

3. It is completely possible for both to be true

I know - I've lived up close and personal to just that situation.

[gordianot]

6. People like Donald Trump convinced me I did not want to finish clinical psychology.

Donald Trump may have some cognitive decline or regression. I doubt any court would consider insanity or reduced capacity. I would love to see an MMPI.

[Siwsan]

7. The problem is, the staff at Walter Reed, who are treating him, are not to be trusted with the truth

He needs to sign a release and be tested by a civilian doctor at a facility like the Mayo Clinic. And, of course, that will never happen. He will stick with those who cover up his true health conditions.

[gordianot]

8. The only time people like Trump seek professional intervention is during sentencing.

It goes both ways starting with the defense and the prosecution wants to see the sentence carried out. One problem Trump has is his inclination to say he he wants his opponents locked up. Court Psychologist and Psychiatrists would eat his lunch. Donald Trump understands right from wrong.

[Siwsan]

10. He's so self-serving, I don't think he can comprehend that anything he does is wrong.

We won't be free of his insanity until he's toes up, beneath concrete. And even then we'll have to deal with his cult.

[gordianot]

12. He has made lifelong choices similar to those of his Father and Granfather.

If he is insane so are those involved in the Mafia. As an intern I reviewed determinations of at least 2 dozen adjudicated Insane. Cult or culture is right they just have different standards of morality. Insanity determinations are rare.

[Siwsan]

13. I can only go by what I observe, and form opinions based on my experience

And a LOT of his behaviors are ringing alarm bells. As, it seems, they are for lots of other people who have dealt up close and personal with people suffering from Dementia/Alzheimer's.

I'm not excusing any of his behaviors - I just believe his deteriorating brain is making him even more dangerous.

[7wo7rees]

4. Good heavens....... you just described our current life perfectly.

We take care of my mom (ms 7wo7rees).
Everything you described, we are living through right now.
Yes, we see striking similarities.
Very sad to witness the "leader" of free world wreaking havoc and no one stopping it

[redstatebluegirl]

9. This tells you how desperate and crooked

The GOP can be. They are willing to leave a man in the most powerful position in the world who is clearly mentally unfit just to keep power.

[Ms. Toad]

11. I agree with you.

Also because of personal experience with my spouse.

Just a simple example from 2 days ago. I watched my spouse take my keys on a distinctive lanyard and dump them in another room in a box of junk. I immediately asked her to hand them to me. She insisted that she had not touched my keys (not 10 seconds after they left her hand). When I challenged her on it, she dared me to go look myself, because she was so sure I was wrong. She ultimately went to prove it to me, found my keys, then out of anger that I had been right, proceeded to blame for the incident by leaving my keys where she had picked them up from. (She has been diagnosed with cognitive impairment, but her primary loss - in the area of executive function prevents her from recognizing it.)

Like you, there is a lot of emotional echo in watching Trump.