A prominent psychotherapist appearing on Fox News has reported a significant and concerning increase in patients experiencing distress, anxiety, and anger directly connected to former President Donald Trump and the current political climate.
A Clinical Phenomenon, Not a Partisan Label
During an interview on the "Sunday Briefing" with anchor Peter Doocy, New York City-based therapist Jonathan Alpert was quick to clarify a common political talking point. He stressed that "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is not a legitimate medical or psychological diagnosis. This term is often used as a partisan insult by some Republicans to dismiss critics of the former president.
However, Alpert emphasized that the emotional turmoil he is observing in his practice is very real. He expressed being "deeply, deeply concerned" about the fallout, which is manifesting in tangible psychological symptoms among his patients.
Real Symptoms and Broken Relationships
The psychotherapist, who recently wrote about this issue for The Wall Street Journal, described seeing clear clinical signs. "What I’m seeing is symptoms that in many ways mirror other disorders," Alpert explained. Patients are presenting with high anxiety, anger, and sleep disturbances.
He provided a stark example: one individual said she "couldn’t possibly enjoy a family vacation as long as Trump is out there." Alpert noted these are hallmark features of disorders commonly treated in therapy.
The impact extends beyond individual symptoms into social and familial bonds. "We see great division in families and friendships broken up over how strong they feel about Trump," Alpert revealed, highlighting the profound interpersonal cost of this political fixation.
Dominating Therapy Sessions and a Defining Pathology
The influence of Trump on his patients' mental state is not a minor footnote in their therapy; it is often the central issue. Alpert disclosed that Trump dominates roughly three-quarters of his patients' sessions.
For some, the topic arises within the first 30 seconds and controls the discussion. For others, underlying anxiety and depression are ultimately traced back to a hyperfixation on the former president and his actions.
The scale of the problem has led Alpert to a sobering conclusion. He stated he would "even go so far as to call this a mental health epidemic, and in some ways the defining pathology of the past decade."
Therapeutic Approaches to Political Distress
In response to this trend, Alpert described his therapeutic approach. He focuses on helping patients navigate the overwhelming media and political landscape. A key part of his work involves assisting individuals to "separate fact and fiction" and to understand that some of their most distressing thoughts may not be rooted in factual reality.
This clinical perspective from a practicing therapist underscores a significant, non-partisan mental health concern. It points to the tangible psychological consequences of prolonged political tension and polarization, which are felt not just in public discourse but in the private struggles of individuals seeking help.
