Cluster schmuck.
See if you can guess who it is.
Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP
Patient T is an 80-year-old man who is in poor physical condition. He is obese, never exercises, and has unhealthy eating and sleep habits. His physicians have insisted he repeatedly be given the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, suggesting he is very likely in the early stages of dementia. Additionally, he has a known history of abusing drugs, especially Adderall and, possibly, cocaine.
But as the following shows, Patient T quite probably suffers as well from a grouping of four mental health conditions psychologists refer to as Cluster B:
1. Antisocial Personality Disorder. This individual demonstrates a complete disregard for social norms, rules and the rights of others. Generally accepted principles like not making money off the presidency, not using the levers of government to persecute enemies or not lying with every breath are all foreign to him. He is also disposed towards criminal behavior, including fraud, extortion and various swindles. All these traits are associated with ASPD.
2. Borderline Personality Disorder. The patient has intense emotional reactions to even the pettiest perceived injury or opposition, often taking to social media to hurl unfounded accusations or atrocious insults at those who’ve crossed him. He has difficulty maintaining stable relationships (he’s been married three times and cheated on all three wives) and often turns on former friends for no reason. These, along with his well-documented impulsivity, are all indicative of BPD.
3. Histrionic Personality Disorder. With an overwhelming and continuing need for others to notice him, Patient T is forever engaging in attention-seeking behaviors. These include making announcements and claims (whether true or not) intended solely to dominate news media coverage. But with his distorted self-image, he is also easily influenced by others, such as Russia’s Vlad Putin to ignore Ukraine or Israel’s Bibi Netanyahu to attack Iran. These all point toward a diagnosis of HPD.
4. Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Patient T exhibits a grandiose sense of his own importance, a lack of empathy for others, a bottomless need for admiration (witness his Cabinet meetings) and a belief he is superior to everyone. Earlier this month, he described himself as “one of the finest intellects in the history of our country.” And last week, he falsely claimed the PM of Italy begged to have her photo taken with him. These are all signs of NPD.
While Cluster B personality disorders are not inherently dangerous to the afflicted individual, if left untreated they can lead to erratic, impulsive decisions — governed by emotions rather than facts — which can bring serious harm to others. And if that person’s the Chief Executive, to an entire nation.

