Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President

by Justin A. Frank

"A great public service--critical for our time."--Bandy X. Lee, M.D., M.Div., Yale psychiatrist, expert on violence, and editor of The Dangerous Case of Donald TrumpThe New York Times-bestselling author of Bush on the Couch shows that Donald Trump is mentally and emotionally unfit to execute the duties of President.No president in the history of the United States has inspired more alarm and confusion than Donald Trump. As questions and concerns about his decisions, behavior, and qualifications for office have multiplied, they point to one primary Does he pose a genuine threat to our country? The American Psychiatric Association's Goldwater Rule constrains psychiatrists from offering diagnoses on public figures who are not patients and who have not endorsed such statements. But in Trump on the Couch Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Justin A Frank invokes the moral responsibility that compels him to speak out and present a full portrait of a man who presents us with a clear and present danger.Using observations gained from a close study of Trump's patterns of thought, action, and communication, Dr. Frank uncovers a personality riddled with mental health issues. His analysis is filled with important revelations about our nation's leader, including disturbing insights into his childhood, his family, his business dealings, and his unusual relationship with alternative facts, including howThe absence of a strong maternal force during childhood has led to Trump's remarkable lack of empathy and disregard for women's boundaries;His compulsion to polarize America has grown out of the way he perceives the world as full of deceitful and destructive persecutors;His inability to tolerate the pain of frustration has triggered his belief that omnipotence will finally remove it;His idiosyncratic use of language points to larger issues than even his tweets might suggest.With our country itself at stake, Dr. Frank calls attention to the underlying narcissism, misogyny, deception, and racism that drive the President who endangers it. A penetrating examination of how we as a nation got here and, more important, where we are going, Trump on the Couch sounds a call to action that we cannot ignore.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Psychology, Biography, History, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Dr. Justin Frank’s analysis of Trump’s pathological lying, narcissism, destructiveness, racism, sexism and possible learning disabilities, I am more convinced than ever that this president is a dangerous person.
How many more smart professional people need to write about Trump before our Senators realize that he needs to be voted out?
No spoilers here, but this book is a well organized collection of what we have all seen for ourselves. I especially enjoyed the analysis of his language and learning style.
Yes, you should read it.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating and compelling analysis of our current president and well worth reading. Frank divides the book into two sections: the first focuses on the Trump family dynamics and how they produced the bizarre behaviors we see today; the second section analyzes the specifics kinds of pathologies evidenced in Trump's words and deeds. Examples are abundant and reiterated as relevant to the particular topic at hand. The reader is left with a sense of a man who is deeply troubled by anxiety that he struggles publicly and privately to keep in check. I found myself feeling some sympathy for Trump ... but only a little. The danger he presents to this country and the world because of those pathologies doesn't allow for too much sympathy to overcloud the necessity to understand and stay on top of the proclivities of "the most powerful man in the world." Let's just say that those who characterize Donald J. Trump as a man baby are correct. We have an out of control toddler in the White House, and the majority of us, along with other world leaders, are trying to parent him.

Well worth your time.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I have not understood from Day 1 of Trump's Presidency is how we 'vet' a president. I have yet to hear the answer to that question. I do not know how a man of this low character and moral values and a total lack of knowledge of history or our constitution can 'pass the mustard'. I cannot believe what he has done and is doing to our country. He is a sick, sick man and I knew that before he ever got on the ballot. This book says it all and if you don't know how dangerous he is just read this book.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every American should read this book regardless of party affiliation. It will provide an understanding of #45 to those who are interested in learning what makes him tick. Planning on reading “Obama on the Couch” and “Bush on the Couch”.

[Abe Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realize we're all exhausted with this stuff, but this book is different from the rest, both in its depth of personal insight and its determination to see Trump as a fully fledged personality. Not only that, but it's a really useful primer on psychoanalytic theory.

[Chris Sosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Trump on the Couch" is a lot of fun to read and occasionally insightful. It's also bogged down by a stunning degree of overt self-satisfied speculation stated as fact. Toss in outdated Freudian ideas about gender/parental roles and s0me of the book becomes hard to take seriously.

This isn't a work of objective journalism by a psychiatrist about what we can observe of the president from the public record. But it is a lively essay outlining Justin A. Frank's specific hypothesis about why our president is an unhinged maniac.

The world will likely never know if some of Frank's more alarming proclamations about the president's unaddressed mental health concerns are correct. But we should be terrified that assuming they could be correct is a reasonable position to hold.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank faces the Herculean task of writing a book psychoanalyzing Donald Trump. This is a book I’ve pretty much been waiting for since Trump was elected two years ago. Frank claims in the final chapter that he is not diagnosing Trump, but merely trying to understand him (and give readers some empowerment in trying to understand Trump for themselves) through a working knowledge of psychiatric disorders. Well, that’s pretty much a dodge. While not a clinical diagnosis, this book essentially does the same thing: it tells us the myriad mental health issues suffered by Trump. And they are indeed many. Frank references Sir William Osler’s quip, “He who knows syphilis knows medicine." Likewise, Frank claims, he who knows Trump knows psychiatry, since to study Trump is to touch on just about every major complex and issue in the field of mental health. To that extent, Frank gives us a helpful glossary at the end of the book, which includes projection, identification, dyslexia, transference, preconception, repetitive compulsion, displacement, grandiosity, etc. Trump truly runs the gamut.

The book begins on shaky ground as Frank attempts to understand Trump’s relationships to his parents and siblings using scant available information (especially about Trump’s mother) and using quotes from secondhand sources (biographies) and Trump’s own writings (which are also essentially secondhand sources, since they were all entirely ghostwritten). Frank necessarily makes quite a few assumptions about Trump’s family life, which is perhaps not the best way to go about understanding a person’s psyche. Then again, what choice does he have? Since Trump is not his patient, and certainly would never offer the kind of in-depth self-reflection needed to do this kind of work, Frank has no choice but to use journalists' bios and random quote from Trump from the 80s to mine his early life.

The book moves into more solid footing in the longer second section, in which Frank describes certain pathologies that Trump exhibits, using Trump’s own well-known words, actions, and Tweets. The chapters are divided into lying, narcissism, destructiveness, racism, sexism/misogyny, and language. Throughout these chapters, Frank offers a clear, convincing case that Trump has several serious mental issues that have been festering since his childhood.

Any objective observer won’t be surprised by much of this, but it is helpful to hear a mental health expert provide context and professional opinions. Ultimately, Frank succeeds in his stated goal of giving readers the basic knowledge of a psychoanalytic framework with which to understand and even predict Trump’s erratic behavior (and to realize that it is not as erratic as it seems, but instead is grounded in verifiable clinical observations).

Recommended, along with Frances’ Twilight of American Sanity and Lee, et al.’s The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, which offer slightly different takes on the same topic.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish his supporters would read this. It might open at least some of their eyes how he has duped them by using them for his own ends. Frank takes readers through his analysis of Trump's mental state and how the way he is systematically destroying the country and our democratic values to feed his own internal psychologically damaged mind. Many of us think he's just out for the money -- Frank shows readers how it's more about his inner conflict and needs for us to be the parents he never had but desperately wanted.

[Paul Szydlowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember the moment when an NBC reporter asked Donald Trump what he would say to Americans who are frightened by COVID-19 and the president responded with "I'd say you are a terrible reporter?" This book gives a darned good explanation why he responded that way. Of the many presidential traits described in clinical detail that leave readers with an "ah, that explains it" revelation, none is more illuminating than the suggestion of an auditory processing version of childhood dyslexia, a disorder that if left untreated leaves one with limited verbal skill and vocabulary, thus making it difficult to process what others are saying or to think strategically. Hallmark traits of those suffering from this malady include poor impulse control, lying, exaggerating and feigning certainty about things they do not understand. It's kind of like trying to live life recognizing only 17 letters of the alphabet - you might get by, but a lot is going to go over your head and the best way to keep people from catching on is to BS your way through (inject disinfectant, anyone?). And when the inability to process information makes it impossible to respond appropriately, lash out (thus the "terrible reporter" response - it was outside his ability to process how others might feel).

Combined with his niece, Mary Trump's, book and the nearly twenty year-old classic "Emotional Intelligence," a picture emerges of a man with a lifelong learning disability, made worse by a detached mother and cold father, all resulting in neurological changes throughout childhood that likely left him intellectually deficient in strategic thinking, social skills and empathy, making for a lot of empty room to roam in search of answers inside the mind of the president.

[Aidan Stinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intriguing read! Honestly, the book made me feel a little bad for Trump, which I didn’t expect. There were a few weird Freudian parts, but the majority of it was completely believable. I loved Frank’s take on why Trump is so fixated on this wall, his creepy obsession with Ivanka and why he so desperately wants Hillary locked up. I loved that the author didn’t just talk about Trump exclusively (although “The Donald” is the main focus), he incorporates things that could have contributed to his current mental state in a way that I could take bits and pieces and apply it to random people in my life. It was eye-opening to see the effects of childhood experiences on a fully-grown adult. I’m curious to read his other books, however Trump naturally provides a lot of great material so Bush and Obama may not be quite as entertaining. I’ve added ‘Trump on the Couch’ to my list of favorites!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me understand Trumps behavior. Many of the things he does do not seem logical. By understanding his childhood and upbringing it is easier for me to come to terms with why he does what he does

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Meowbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. Justin Frank's ideas were very cogent and persuasive, particularly his take on an undiagnosed learning disorder and its developmental/characterological impact.

[Neila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both fascinating and very, very terrifying.

[Cindy Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliantly written book proves that Donald Trump is inherently messed up beyond repair. If you want an intimate glimpse into Trump’s twisted mind, then this is the book for you.

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, psychoanalysis definitely deserves the reputation it had - everything goes back to the mother and the penis. Everything. Trump's hair is his mother. His need for attention is because of his mother. His mother informs the complex he has about women. The problem is that it's most likely true. It's just the psychoanalysis presents it in a way that is off-putting and cliche (lay on the couch and tell me your earliest memories of your mother). But I think there were a lot of good nuggets of information in this book. There were stories that I had not heard before and recountings I had forgotten. There were also conclusions that I wasn't sure about but that make sense (dyslexia, although I wonder if it can be blamed for everything - I think there's a fair bit of other stuff that might supercede that at times). I...well, not quite enjoyed, but was interested in the conclusions the author drew, and I wish that Trumo could be forced into therapy, for the good of the country. But as the author notes, there's no chance that he'll find himself in therapy at this late stage. More's the pity.

[Owlseyes]

One more character assassination attempt; midterm elections are round the corner
One more attempt to psychoanalyse the Donald.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...

[Jill Sumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on Trump. Similar to a lot of theories out there about him. Good psychological theory behind the assertions (other than the long standing idea that you should not diagnose people who are not your patients).

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, useful read. Admittedly some of the material was a bit above my scholastic reach. I have a basic understanding of psychiatry but I have a very high sense of alarm regarding this president. Dr. Frank laid out a thoughtful diagnosis of Trump which aids your understanding of his current behavior. I finished this book with a heightened concerns plus, surprisingly, some sympathy for this very distraught man. IfIf he wasn’t the president, I could simply feel sorry for him. Sadly that is not the case.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As stunning and shocking as you expected it to be. Yet who will listen and act on these warnings? In the opening pages, the author says: "There's no question that Trump is mentally unfit in ways that make him psychologically unsuited for the presidency; this is in itself a truly alarming turn of events, and I would write the entire book in all caps if I thought that would better convey the sense of urgency with which it is written and should be read."
And on it goes. It's helpful to learn the psychological underpinnings and analysis of what we see daily on the news, but I don't subscribe to all that stuff about how his detached mother made him hungry for the affirmation of others. Besides confirming what we all suspected, the author posits the guess that Trump is dyslexic, which may explain why he won't read anything longer than one page and prefers TV to reading.

[Berni Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another birthday gift. I didn't like it as much as Mary Trump's book primarily because the man is a Freudian. That gets old fast. It's also a few years old so he can't cover the fresh atrocities and obviously deteriorating mental state that most of us have observed. But it's interesting if you don't mind those two things. He does speak of the various issues in professional terms, defining what they mean.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to read about the circumstances of Trump's upbringing and makes his appalling behavior more understandable. This book, written by a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst, has a bit too much psychobabble for my taste but still offers some interesting insight.

[Mannie Liscum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid piece of psychoanalytic work. It’s not Trump bashing but it’s revealing of the serious mental health issues President Trump is likely living with.

[Sherry T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I made it through the first four or five chapters before retuning it to the library. I had difficulty tolerating the repetitive writing. It’s okay to make a point, back it up, and move on.

[John Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Frank thoroughly and compellingly explores President Trump from a psychoanalytic approach and offers some plausible and interesting explanations for why this man is so insecure, aggressive, misogynistic, racist, and dishonest. However, Dr. Frank repeatedly muses that he is somewhat confounded by how one man can possess so many virulently bad traits, and so many contradictory behaviors. He neglects to point out that ADHD, which President Trump manifestly fulfills the diagnostic criteria for, does actually provide a framework to explain the inconsistencies, the impulsivity, the lack of foresight, the emphasis on what is interesting rather what is important, and the frenetic, restless, physical behavior of our president. The absence is particularly interesting because Dr. Frank does bring up ADHD in his previous book, Bush on the Couch, and Mr. Trump's ADHD is much more severe and obvious than is W's. Incorporating awareness of Mr. Trump's ADHD into this Freudian analysis would have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the provocative personality of Mr. Trump.

[Arthur George · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my view (both familiar with Trump and psychologically literate), the author's analysis is largely sound, hence the 4 stars. But the book suffers because the author speculates too much and cites almost no scholarly basis for his analysis. In light of this, since the book is (albeit rightly) so critical of Trump, the book is open to being characterized by Trump supporters as a hit job (which assumes that they would actually read it!). Fortunately, the book is largely corroborated by the subsequent book of Mary Trump (also a professional psychologist). Finally, I note that some reviewers here claim that the author's view is too Freudian and out of date, but in fact his views are based more on Melanie Klein's child developmental psychology, which actually departed from Freud (psychologists, especially in Great Britain, actually fell into Kleinian vs. Freudian vs. independent camps). the author is a practicing psychoanalyst, and I presume he is up to date with the contemporary literature just like any competent medical doctor.

[Richard Archambault]

I stopped reading this after

the progression of the original smaller weapon getting bigger with each conquest is clearly a phallic idea, rooted in the Oedipal desire to get big enough to defeat the father. As president, Donald Trump finally turned his back on West Side Story, exchanging switchblades for paper towels he threw at hurricane-ravaged Puerto Ricans.

I mean, come on. That is nonsense.

I was hoping to see snippets of Trump's history, which clearly show how the troubled boy became the deranged man that he is in this book: I got that (at least in the part I read). But the psychoanalysis is, for me, annoying and pretty much nonsense. I'm sure the author believes in his theories firmly, but there's no way I want to read more about it.

Anyway, not rating the book since I'm stopping at only roughly 15% through, so rating it at this point wouldn't be fair.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this psychiatrist psychoanalyze Trump. I read The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump about a year ago where each chapter was written by a different mental health professional analyzing Trump. This book went a little deeper into Trump's mind and using Freud's model, he analyzes Trump and his behavior in the Freudian way. I learned more about Trump's parents than I had known before, and the author, Dr. Justin Frank, links Trump's difficult relationship to his parents. I had several aha moments in the book, and I guess that is why I rated it 5 stars. Anytime I can learn more about this man after reading so many books and listening to politics on tv, I am happy.

[s · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um. i guess I didn’t know what I was getting into when I decided to listen to this book. Freudian psychoanalysis is apparently about everything the stereotypes make it out to be, i.e., the Oedipal complex.
Got 36% of the way through and quite frankly, I’m tired of hearing about Trump’s penis and how his actions all relate to his father (well, and his mother’s disengagement from his life). Soooo, all done with it.

If you’re really into psychoanalysis already, I suppose this book might appeal to you. I was interested in hearing more about the psychoanalytic perspective, but got more and more turned off the farther I got into the book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had preconceived opinions of Donald Trump from the 80s, which worsened with each subsequent decade. This book scared me. This important book won’t be read by the people who need to read it the most, his base, because they may see themselves on some of these pages. Knowledge can scare you and I am significantly worried about our future.

I rate this four stars because it seems as if the book just ended, without offering a resolution. But I know what that resolution is. As I Republican, I will be voting for Joe Biden.