Sunday, February 21, 2010

PSYCHOANALYSIS OF BARACK OBAMA

Very interesting analysis of the roots of Barack Obama's narcissism by Joy Tiz, who holds a masters in Psychology. Tiz takes aim at Obama's book, "Dreams From My Father" and points to the fact that several of the people in Obama's life during his early years seem to collectively view the book as a work of fiction.

Writing for the Canada Free Press, Tiz states:
Traditionally works of fiction are identified as such. In his preface to the 2004 edition of Dreams From My Father Obama says he cannot honestly say that the voice in the book is not his or that he would tell the story much differently today than I did ten years ago (Pg. 4).

Chicago Tribune reporters Kirsten Scharnberg and Kim Barker interviewed more than forty of Obama’s former classmates, teachers, friends and neighbors and came to the startling conclusion that “several of his oft recited stories may not have happened the way he has recounted them.”
Pointing to many examples along the way, Tiz points to this altered reality being one of Obama's biggest problems. Let's face it, the guy had a traumatic and very disturbing childhood. The resultant consequences are rarely good but not insurmountable according to Tiz. I found this explanation for narcissism particularly interesting:
When children experience overwhelming trauma, they protect themselves as best they can with a variety of defense mechanisms. There is no question that life for little Barry Soetoro was traumatic, full of chaos and abandonment as well as genuine fear. The adults in his life betrayed him and taught him hate and mistrust. Otto Kernberg, in his research on narcissism states it evolves as a defense against a cold and unsympathetic parent. The child withdraws part of himself from the unavailable parent and turns it back towards himself creating a grandiose sense of self. Healthy emotional development was just not possible in young Barry’s environment. In Toxic Parents, Dr. Susan Forward describes the “Golden Child” who compensates for feelings of inadequacy by seeking external awards and accolades rather than his own inner confidence. Golden Children are commonly found in alcoholic families.
Tiz also notes that overcoming such trauma is not impossible but it requires the individual to face fully, the truth about his / her past. Considering how Obama tells lies multiple times daily, it would appear he's not yet willing to do that but when you hear his opponents say they pray for him, it might be good to pray that he comes to grips with the tumultuous and chaotic reality he faced as a child.

Be sure to read the whole thing.

h/t to JAWA

1 comment:

  1. Did you know that 75-80% of people who enter the mental rehabilitation profession (shrink, head doctor, etc) did so because they think they need help? Knowing that, would you go to one?

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