How Can Anyone Diagnose Another Person Mentally Unless They Are Qualified ?

The answer to the OP is that they can't.

I also think that in probably less than 6 months mental health charities will be quite concerned about it all.

On the plus side, if as some suggest, Baron is autistic, autism at least, may be better understood than it is now.

[I feel this thread has gone full circle and we are right back to the subject heading of the thread and op].

^accurate descriptions of his behaviour"

You say "appears to be", which is a better way of putting it than some,
but that is nowhere near the same as a medical diagnosis.

Ankers, you worked as a volunteer with people with mental health problems so you "know a little bit about how they think". This minimal knowledge leads you to leap to the defence of Mr Trump, to criticise anyone who uses accurate descriptions of his behaviour. Those descriptions are based on the evidence Mr T himself presents to the world. He appears to be a bully, he appears to be self obsessed, he makes grandiose claims that can't be met, he has acknowledged making offensive comments about indecent assaults on women - the list goes on and on.

I accept he is now POTUS but that doesn't mean I have to accept he's the right person for the job.

But I have worked with people in the past, with mental health problems[I was a volunteer] and know a little bit about how they think.

No.

You're taking this all very personally Ankers. Has some you know in RL said something like this to you?

As I said upthread, mentally unstable is bandied about.

Also, unstable, unhinged etc.

All used in a negative way.

It is going to set back mental health in a big way.

Non diagnosis of possible mental health has suddenly become prevalent, mainstream and ok.

Ummm, you're thinking that it's going to make narcissists sad when people call trump a narcissist? That's not really how narcissism tends to work…
Someone whom I know whom I would dare to say displays certain tendencies of narcissism (although I would never say narcissistic) thinks that Trump is wonderful and will be the saviour of the world.

Yes, so no one's going to be 'upset' as Ankers suggested, by people calling Trump narcissistic because true narcissists woouldn't think for one minute that the term could or does apply to themselves.

BPD however is often diagnosed from first person referals - i.e. through the person themselves seeking mental health help.

I doubt whether anyone is given a diagnosis of 'narcissism'.

They are, but I doubt it's ever a "first person referral" - as in, someone with the condition seeking help and diagnosis for themselves. That wouldn't really fit would it? Narcisists by definition don't want to be cured.

I think it is professionally diagnosed in criminal situations and by professionals looking after victims in a secondary sort of way

How does President Trump's personality become part answer to the OP?

(my post was in reply to Ankers)

I doubt whether anyone is given a diagnosis of 'narcissism'. It's mostly used by others looking for an explanation for problems between them and the person in question.

Most politicians of all parties have had their sanity questioned at least once or twice by their opponents!

It is and is going to set back how people are viewed who have been diagnosed with those same mental illnesses.

Ummm, you're thinking that it's going to make narcissists sad when people call trump a narcissist? That's not really how narcissism tends to work…

No, they do not render people stupid, but seeing people making undiagnosed mental health diagnosis about someone[even if he is Trump] is not going to help them if they have that diagnosis themselves.

People are throwing words around about Trump in a disparaginy way, saying he is a "narcissist", has "narcissism", displays "narcissistic behaviour" etc etc, that he is mentally unstable etc etc.

It is and is going to set back how people are viewed who have been diagnosed with those same mental illnesses.
Can you see that?

It is being used to bring Trump down, so it will bring others down too.
Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

How very patronising of you Ankers to suggest that, just because someone has a mental health issue, they are unable to see the truth about the likes of Trump.

Mental health issues do not render you stupid you should understand,

Yes, as it does not help at all those with medically diagnosed problems. Does it?

I'm quite happy to apply a while range of different epithets to Trump and, living in a country where free-speech is not a crime, I shall certainly make my feelings known.

Do you have a problem with that Ankers?

Absolutely agree GrandMoira.

It is going to get a lot worse in my opinion now that Trump is set to be the next President.

Even on gransnet, hardly anyone seem to think it is not ok to label him big time in all sorts of ways.

Anyone reading gransnet, who has a mental health condition, diagnosis, call it what you want, is not going to be helped by this at all in the next coming 4 years

I do think we are inclined to label people nowadays in a way that we didn't used to. We used to refer to abusive relationships if a spouse was verbally or physically attacked. Now we say that person is a narcissist, a sociopath or is gaslighting. Whilst abuse is a label, it is a behaviour, not a diagnosis like narcissism and it is more appropriate for friends and family to use this word unless a mental health professional diagnoses a condition.

[my] son-in-law

Jalima in answer to your question of 11th Jan 19.50 hrs: Yes, my son-in-law

Daphne Good post