Sen. Syvret says that he is ill. He almost certainly is, but not solely as a result of hypothyroidism, or a pituitary problem.
There are very strong indications that, for a long time, he has been suffering from a serious personality disorder – chiefly Paranoid Personality Disorder, a recognised form of mental illness.
Individuals with this disorder are generally difficult to get along with and often have problems with close relationships because of their excessive suspiciousness and hostility. Their combative and suspicious nature may elicit a hostile response in others, which then serves to confirm their original expectations. Individuals with this disorder have a need to have a high degree of control over those around them. They are often rigid, critical of others, and unable to collaborate, although they have great difficulty accepting criticism themselves. They often become involved in legal disputes. They may exhibit thinly hidden, unrealistic grandiose fantasies, are often attuned to issues of power and rank, and tend to develop negative stereotypes of others, particularly those from population groups distinct from their own. More severely affected individuals with this disorder may be perceived by others as fanatics and form tightly knit cults or groups with others who share their paranoid beliefs.
In response to stress, individuals with this disorder may experience very brief psychotic episodes (lasting minutes to hours). If the psychotic episode lasts longer, this disorder may actually develop into Delusional Disorder or Schizophrenia. Individuals with this disorder are at increased risk for Major Depressive Disorder, Agoraphobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Alcohol and Substance-Related Disorders. Other Personality Disorders (especially Schizoid, Schizotypal, Narcissistic, Avoidant, and Borderline) often co-occur with this disorder.
Of course, it is symptomatic of the disorder that any suggestion of mental illness on his, or her part, will immediately be seized upon by the sufferer as behaviour on the part of others which justifies his, or he paranoia.
There are, however, simple objective diagnostic tests to help determine whether, or not a person is indeed suffering from a personality disorder. They comprise a number of questions asked about the behaviour of the person. The one used mostly in Europe is the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1992
F60.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder
Personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:
(a) excessive sensitiveness to setbacks and rebuffs;
(b) tendency to bear grudges persistently, i.e. refusal to forgive insults and injuries or slights;
(c) suspiciousness and a pervasive tendency to distort experience by misconstruing the neutral or friendly actions of others as hostile or contemptuous;
(d) a combative and tenacious sense of personal rights out of keeping with the actual situation;
(e) recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding sexual fidelity of spouse or sexual partner;
(f) tendency to experience excessive self-importance, manifest in a persistent self-referential attitude;
(g) preoccupation with unsubstantiated "conspiratorial" explanations of events both immediate to the patient and in the world at large.
In other words, if the person in question consistently exhibits 3 or more of the above behaviours, there is a strong indication of Paranoid Personality Disorder. The greater the number of behaviours consistently exhibited, the stronger the indication of the disorder.
The test for Paranoid Personality Disorder used in the USA is very similar, but requires a person to consistently exhibit at least 4 of the specified behaviours:
Diagnostic criteria for 301.0 Paranoid Personality Disorder
A. A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
(1) suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her
(2) is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
(3) is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her
(4) reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events
(5) persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights
(6) perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack
(7) has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner
From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition. Copyright 1994 American Psychiatric Association
For the European test, Sen. Syvret must be scored as 5, possibly 6 ( from 7 )
For the U.S. test he scores, again, 5, possibly 6 (from 7)
These results indicate most strongly that he is suffering from Paranoid Personality Disorder.
Research shows, as mentioned above, that other recognised personality disorders often co-occur with Paranoid Personality Disorder. In the case of Sen. Syvret, he exhibits equally strong indications of a co-exiting Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Individuals with this Personality Disorder have an excessive sense of how important they are. Although sometimes expressing false-modesty, they demand and expect to be admired and praised by others and are limited in their capacity to appreciate others' perspectives.
The test used mainly for this disorder is that from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition. Copyright 1994 American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic criteria for 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
(3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
(4) requires excessive admiration
(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
(
is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
Again, Sen. Syvret scores higher than the required 5 exhibited behaviours – demonstrating at least 6, probably 7 of them.
From this it can be concluded that Sen. Syvret is almost certainly suffering from Paranoid Personality Disorder and that there is a very strong indication of a co-occurring Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
The course of these disorders, which are found more commonly in males, is chronic. Treatment of these personality disorders is difficult, but possible, either through psychotherapy, or, if necessary, pharmacotherapy.
Sen. Syvret should seek help.
