Derangement Syndrome?

Over the years I’ve seen (though the exact terminology is more recent):
Reagan Derangement Syndrome
Clinton Derangement Syndrome
Bush Derangement Syndrome
Obama Derangement Syndrome
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Biden Derangement Syndrome

Now we have a reprisal/continuation of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Each of these have provoked strong negative reactions from their ideological opponents. Some of these reactions are rational (or have rational components), some are more visceral, some are mostly (if not wholly) ideological. I may be a victim myself, but it seems like the most recent object of derangement positively enjoys creating it.

On the other side there’s the Cult of Personality for some of these individuals. Maybe we can call that a “Euphoria Syndrome.” I’ve seen cults of personality built around Reagan, Obama, and Trump. Sometimes the derangement is a response to the cult of personality.

Speaking of people as suffering from a “derangement syndrome” or as participating in a “cult of personality” may have elements of truth, but the language lends itself to giving us excuses for not taking them seriously. They are having mental problems. We imagine, “There’s no way they could think that way unless they were evil, deluded, or mentally incompetent.” But what if they’re just wrong?

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About Richard Heyduck

Pastor of Hardy Memorial Methodist Church, a Global Methodist Congregation. PhD Fuller Seminary MDiv Asbury Seminary BA Southwestern University
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