The cruellest insult that any leader could face is arguably that their behaviour reflects a personality disorder. This could imply that they are mentally ill.

As always journalists are not shying away from analysing the behaviour of major political leaders that is constantly being graphically exposed on our TV screens.

In the age of social media, politicians try to keep in touch with the electorate by tweeting short messages that often reflect their idiosyncrasies and thinking on particular issues.

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a very relevant comment on how political communication is changing.

She said: “The rhythm of politics has been profoundly disrupted by the changes to the media cycle and the advent of social media, so the way in which the electorate perceives and sees politics and politicians is different now. It seems to me it’s harder now to sustain the focus attention you need for deep reform conversation.”

Quite astonishingly current political reporting is becoming increasingly focused on the behaviour of major political leaders rather than the substance of the political challenges facing the world. Donald Trump is understandably the political leader that is constantly being scrutinised more for his often untraditional behaviour than for his policies.

Many argue that his policies are in fact a result of his alleged personality disorders.

It is very difficult to judge someone else’s mental health just by observing their behaviour on television or reading their tweets.

Our future is profoundly influenced by the flawed behaviour of our leaders

So there is a need for great caution before one starts to label a political leader with negative mental health conditions. But in a democracy the health of a leader, whether physical or mental, is of primary importance to the electorate. This is even more relevant when such a leader is in charge of a world power like the US.

Some journalists love to use hyperbole in their reporting as it attracts readers and viewers who often find political reporting boring. The recent G20 meeting held in Germany gave journalists an ideal opportunity to scrutinise the behaviour of the various world leaders attending this conference. Not surprisingly the contents of what was discussed seemed to be less important than the behaviour of the participants.

Theresa May wanted to ensure that she secured some trade concessions from major trading countries following Brexit.

Angela Merkel knows she has to face a major electoral test in September and wanted to be seen as the most reliable leader in the EU.

Donald Trump’s objective was to repeat his now meaningless slogan of making America great again.

But it was his strange behaviour that generally attracted the attention of the media.

Australia journalist Chris Uhlmann’s commentary on the G20 was given major coverage on a global level especially in the US. Uhlmann said Trump had shown no desire or capacity to lead the world and was himself the biggest threat to the values of the west.

“He was an uneasy, lonely, awkward figure at this G20 gathering and you got the strong sense that some leaders are trying to find the best way to work around him.”

But is Trump’s social awkwardness in major global conference a real cause of concern? The answer is that the US President’s behaviour cannot be attributed simply to social awkwardness. Uhlamnn’s gives another insight into Trump’s possible personality disorder.

“‘He is a man who barks out bile in 140 characters, who wastes his precious day as President at war with the west’s institutions like the judiciary, independent government agencies and the free press”.

Julia Gillard made a similar assessment of Trump’s possible mental health issues even if she does so in a more subdued style.

Gillard has just taken up the chairmanship of Beyond Blue, an Australian mental health charity that aims to ease the problem of increasing mental health problems in her country.

The former Australia Prime Minister said that she herself struggled at times with anxiety during her prime ministership and she had to find ways to cope with the ‘poison’ directed at her via social media. The world of politics is no rose garden. Politicians and their acolytes seem to have one primary objective: that of surviving at all costs even if it means destroying their adversaries.

Most ordinary people deal with major mental health issues at some time in their lives. They normally do not bother much about the mental health of public figures. Yet our future is profoundly influenced by the flawed behaviour of our leaders.

johncassarwhite@yahoo.com

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