Comments on: When political discourse is like borderline personality disorder

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:55:27 +0000

Just writing to add to the mix my disappointment that none of this article had anything to do with BPD. Next time, please at least glance through the DSM first.

By: Marya Zilberberg

Marya Zilberberg — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:41:51 +0000

First, I want to than Kevin for hosting my post. Second, I am happy that it has engendered criticism and discussion. It is only through respectful, reasoned and civilized discourse that we can start to understand one another and perhaps find the common path.

By: Jim Lohse

Jim Lohse — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:32:53 +0000

This all sounds good but simply serves to make the “moderate” writer feel good about themselves. They get to look at others and say, “They’re all dumb because they’re not as smart as me.”

As a layman I wonder if there’s a diagnosis for that kind of feelings of superiority.

The article ignores that there are indeed truly divisive issues that motivate strong feelings. When I hear moderates asking “can’t everyone compromise” I like to ask them, “what should we do about abortion, for example? Just kill half the baby?”

So many issues are by their nature black or white decisions. To characterize society as psychotic might make the write feel good but does nothing to address any real issues.

By: Chang Yang

Chang Yang — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:30:00 +0000

I think Dr. Zillberg was referring to the society as a whole that is displaying “splitting” thoughts, instead of the individuals with a certain ideology or the left wing or the right wing itself. I don’t think a direct parallel can be drawn between BPD and the society’s left-or-right ideology differences, but it’s an interesting take on people’s proclivity towards a black-and-white views nevertheless.

By: Steve Parker, M.D.

Steve Parker, M.D. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:19:49 +0000

Politics is a substitute for armed conflict.

-Steve

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Is he good or evil? He’s neither, rather, he simply lacks any skills besides running for office. He has not demonstrated an understanding of economics, legislation, or international relations. But he does look good and gives a nice (if empty) speech.

By: Michael Rack, MD

Michael Rack, MD — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:50:48 +0000

Dr. Zilberg knows little about psychiatry, borderline personality disorder, or defense mechanisms. Borderline personality disorder is not a psychosis. The right thinking that Obama is bad and the left thinking he is good is not splitting. There are several definitions of splitting, but using the one that Dr. Zilberg refers to would imply alternating idealization and devaluation by one person or group. If the right wingers on one day thought that Obama was pure evil, and the next day thought he was pure good, that would be an example of splitting. Having one stable view of a person such as Obama, even if it is extreme, does not represent splitting, borderline personality disorder, or borderline personality organization.

Michael Rack, MD