In response to the Bush on Meds thread....

[Sugarbleus]

I did some reading at CHB then went looking for the book mentioned there. THEN found an interesting interview with Castro, who also read the book that was mentioned in the article in CHB:

Bush on the Couch by Dr. Justin Frank

The interview is here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5526645/

It sure sounds like our prez is experiencing diminished capacity to me. What kind of bizarre reasons are those for keeping people from traveling to Cuba???!!! Check it out.

[papau]

1. Thanks for the link - My medical friends have been saying dry drunk for

years - and asking about mood swings.

Funny how our media avoids the topic.

You'd think they'd ask to see medical records - since these are usually given out.

But not our US Media!

:-)

[HuckleB]

2. As was noted in another thread.

It is incredibly unprofessional to diagnose anyone from afar. The malfeasance present in such a diagnosis is massive, and such a book should be looked upon with disdain, regardless of how much we might agree with it or want to believe it.

[Sugarbleus]

3. Well, on one part of your statement I DO agree...one cannot

make a thorough assessment of another from a distance. However, having said that and having had to deal with Mental health issues all of my life with family (extended and otherwise) and friends and doctors; having been run through the mill with issues of mental health and personality flaws.....having read and researched and watched and listened and EXPERIENCED and lived with all this stuff--I feel like I don't have to be a rocket scientist to make a casual assessment.

It doesn't take a leap of genius to recognize when "something" is wrong with a child who is setting fires or cutting themselves....if you get my meaning. So, in that vein, I believe it IS possible to,at the very least, NOTICE when things are slightly amiss in another's personality by watching their actions and behaviors.

Peace~~

PS to HB: We will or can discuss this in that other forum further if you like after the convention...I'd be excited to do it if you're willing. :hi:

[HuckleB]

4. Yes, a casual assessment indeed.

However, a casual assessment shouldn't lead to a book, and it shouldn't lead to that book being taken seriously. Look, I'm the first to admit that I've said and written that I think Bush may have an Axis II disorder, possibly Narcissistic Personality Disorder, in passing. However, I would never take such a diagnosis into book form, or even essay form without actual access to the purported patient.

As an FYI: I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who has full prescription privileges. My practice focuses on children, with a specialty in children with developmental disabilities. Further, I have lived through family issues with mental heatlh matters, as well. Uh, just confessing that, since this may be one reason I find the book and assessment from afar to be so distasteful, as I think it hurts the specialty.

Anyway, yeah, I'd love to discuss this further, though it'll be next week, as I'm heading for the hills tomorrow.

Salud!

Feel free to PM me, and remind me about our conversation. A couple days sitting around the lake can make one rather forgetful.

Cheers!

[Sugarbleus]

5. Omgoodness...that's exactly what I figured and have been

saying for months and months........NARCISSITIC PERSONALITY DISORDER!

I've heard other's try to guess bi polar or one thing and another..but I have an ex son in law with this disorder...did some research on it. This disorder was my very best "casual" assessment of Mr. Bush. It seems to fit. NPD, as I understand it, is THEE most difficult problem to treat, yes? Nearly impossible from what I gather. I'd LOVE to talk further with you.

Accessible, affordable Health-care ALONG WITH a Mental Health Care package for our future government policy is one of the two most important issues for me. They are my "causes", if you will.

I've actually given some thought to returning to school to take psychology courses, among some other choices. Talk to you soon.

:D