Donald Trump’s minor injury could mask the much greater mental damage he suffered from the shooting, an expert said.
Simon McCarthy-Jones, professor of clinical psychology at Trinity College Dublin, said the potential impact on Trump’s mind cannot be ignored as he becomes president of the United States in November.
Tens of thousands of Americans are injured by nonfatal gunshot wounds each year. Research has shown that this trauma can cause long-term damage, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression.
‘Such experiences can shatter people’s sense that they live in a safe, understandable and controllable world, leaving them feeling worthless, unsafe and insecure,’ said Professor McCarthy-Jones.
Donald Trump’s right ear was hit by a bullet fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Trump emerged from the shooting with his fist in the air and chanted “fight, fight, fight”
Images of Trump’s miraculous survival after the shooting have become iconic
‘People may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares. They may also experience heart palpitations, sweating or shortness of breath when reminded of the event.’
He told The conversation that people with PTSD try to avoid reminders of the event, lose interest in activities, and feel numb, irritable, and nervous.
They may be constantly on guard for threats, have difficulty concentrating, have outbursts of anger and experience overwhelming emotions, he added.
For Trump, the problem may be even greater, as he is known for his short fuse and therefore cannot understand or control his emotions.
People’s personality type can influence how they respond to a traumatic event, such as a gunshot wound.
Extroverted people may experience less stress and PTSD symptoms.
However, people with low agreeableness, low conscientiousness, and low emotional stability may suffer from more severe forms of the disorder.
According to Professor McCarthy-Jones, people high in narcissism, which Trump is accused of displaying, can respond to even minor threats with disproportionate aggression.
Others, however, may experience “post-traumatic growth.”
Former President Ronald Reagan, as is known, showed more empathy and humility after he was shot in 1981.
He believed that God had spared him for a reason and that this prompted him to reduce nuclear tensions with the Soviet Union.
‘How someone makes sense of their trauma can be crucial to its outcomes,’ says Professor McCarthy-Jones. ‘Feeling shame or anger towards others after experiencing a violent crime is associated with a greater chance of developing PTSD.
“If the person can understand why the event happened or can take something positive from it, better outcomes can be expected.”
He said social support from family, friends and colleagues could be “essential” to Trump’s recovery.
It is important that he feels safe and at home. This helps him to understand what is happening and discourages ‘risky behaviour’.
In addition to Trump himself, those who were with him at the Pennsylvania rally, where he was shot by a lone gunman on Saturday, should also watch for signs of trauma.
Even people who saw the incident live on television may be at risk.
Professor McCarthy-Jones said more attention should be paid to the potential harm caused by traumas such as Trump’s.
He said: ‘Recent events offer Trump an opportunity to positively stimulate such change. He could help destigmatise the struggles that many trauma survivors experience. This could include challenging the myth that it is a sign of weakness to seek support and help.
‘As the world watches, the effect of these events on Trump, both personally and politically, will unfold. Everyone deserves compassion. Dealing effectively with the psychological effects of trauma will be crucial, not just for Trump but for society as a whole.’