We’ve all encountered Trump Derangement Syndrome. Not even supposedly ‘deep thinkers’ are immune to the affliction: witness Sam Harris’ unhinged rants and conspiracy theories. But Trump derangement is only the nuclear-level detonation of a long-observed phenomenon of political tribalism, where opponents (and supporters) lose all sense of proportion when it comes to certain political figures.
While ‘x-derangement syndrome’ is nothing new (use of the pejorative can traced back to at least 2003 and the presidency of George W Bush), there is no doubt its intensity has been pumped up with steroids since the first election of Donald Trump. Indeed, before: ‘Abbott Derangement Syndrome’ in Australia predated Trump by three years. And was almost as unhinged, especially among the left-media.
Pattern detected? Supporters coin the term to delegitimize opponents – not clinicians to describe mental-health conditions. In these narratives, critics are branded “deranged,” while supporters cast themselves as the ones who see events clearly.
Despite the efforts of the Minnesota legislature, at least, Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is not a recognised psychological illness. But it does have identifiable psychological roots.
Group identity and tribalism. Social identity theory says our political tribe becomes part of who we are. An attack on a favored (or hated) leader feels personal, intensifying the damaging “us-versus-them” mindset.
Cognitive biases. Confirmation bias makes us collect evidence that fits our beliefs, while the availability heuristic – wall-to-wall media coverage – can make threats look bigger and closer than they are.
Motivated reasoning. We unconsciously favor arguments that protect our worldview and dismiss facts that threaten it – so new information, even fact-checks, can actually strengthen our original stance and deepen the conflict.
Anxiety and uncertainty. Rapid policy shifts and nonstop commentary keep many people on edge, straining relationships across party lines. Traditional and social media amplify the feedback loop of anxiety and polarization.
Emotional contagion and social influence. Anger, fear, and excitement spread quickly in polarized spaces, especially when sparked by high-profile figures – whether Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden, or anyone else.
Moral-outrage amplification. Platforms reward posts that trigger moral outrage, so anger travels faster and sticks longer than calm, meaningful debate.
Parasocial bonds. Many of us form one-sided, parasocial relationships with public figures – feeling we “know” them through endless media exposure. When that figure is a politician, the personal and emotional stakes can skyrocket.
Many of these operate in a dire feedback loop. For instance, the moral outrage amplification of social media is amplified by algorithms that feed cognitive bias, motivated reasoning and emotional contagion. Click on one anti-Trump post and the site will start feeding you more. In a very short time, your social media feed – more and more often people’s ‘window on the world’ – becomes completely skewed in one direction. Unless you make a concerted effort to look outside your echo chamber, which very few do.
You’ll probably see this in effect all the time. For instance, ‘progressive’ types flatly deny that schools are pushing gender theory and sexualised curricula at even the youngest children – despite this being an unassailable fact. Think, too, of the persistence of belief in the ‘very fine people’ hoax. Conversely, try debating evolution with a Young Earth Creationist.
So, TDS might not be recognised in the DSM-5 manual, but even psychologists have to admit that its effects are very, very real.
When several of these forces pull at us at once, it turns into a psychological tug-of-war. Headlines feel personal, social feeds feel hostile, and ordinary conversations become identity tests. Over time, that strain shows up in therapy offices as sleeplessness, irritability, strained relationships, or outright burnout […]
Here are some signs that political stress might be taking a toll:
Constantly checking the news: If you find yourself glued to news updates and struggling to disconnect, it might be time to take a step back.
Heightened irritability: Do political conversations crank up your anger? Verbal expressions of hostility that linger – whether aimed at former Presidents Bush, Obama, Biden, or President Trump – signal that political stress is starting to get under your skin.
Strained relationships: Political disagreements can sometimes damage friendships or family bonds. If this is happening, it might be worth considering how much energy you want to invest in these discussions.
Physical stress symptoms: Stress can manifest physically too. If you’re experiencing headaches or having trouble sleeping, it could be linked to political anxiety and distress.
The recommended therapy for TDS is, in fact, good advice for us all:
Media hygiene (aka put down your phone): Limit how often – and from which outlets – you check the news. Choosing trusted sources and knowing when to log off reduces emotional overload.
Mindfulness practices: A few minutes of meditation, deep breathing, or quiet reflection anchors you in the present and calms political fight-or-flight spikes.
Boundaries: Decide in advance when – and with whom – you’ll discuss politics. Steering clear of heated debates at home, work, or online protects your peace of mind.
The last offered advice, though, sounds entirely counterproductive.
Social Connection: Share space with supportive people – friends, clubs, or a therapy group – who understand your values. Community cushions stress and offers fresh perspective.
Do they, though? Sharing “space” with “supportive people who understand your values” in fact likely offers nothing new in the way of perspective. In reality, it’s only diving deeper into the echo-chambers that set off the TDS in the first place.
