APA releases statement telling members to stop linking Trump to mental illness [View all]

[davidn3600]

While admitting that 2016’s presidential campaign is “unique,” the American Psychiatric Association felt it was necessary this week to advise members to avoid analyzing GOP nominee Donald Trump’s antics from afar.

In short: don’t call the blustery billionaire “mentally ill.”

According to the Washington Post, the APA has had a longstanding standard known as the “Goldwater Rule” which states:

On occasion psychiatrists are asked for an opinion about an individual who is in the light of public attention or who has disclosed information about himself/herself through public media. In such circumstances, a psychiatrist may share with the public his or her expertise about psychiatric issues in general. However, it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement.

----

“This year, the election seems like anything but a normal contest, that has at times devolved into outright vitriol. The unique atmosphere of this year’s election cycle may lead some to want to psychoanalyze the candidates, but to do so would not only be unethical, it would be irresponsible,” wrote APA President Maria A. Oquendo.

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/american-psychiatric-association-pleads-with-members-stop-linking-donald-trump-to-mental-illness/