Is Al Gore Mentally Ill?

 

             Al Gore's increasingly desperate refusal to admit he lost the
             presidential election has some observers wondering if he is
             mentally ill. In fact, he fits the criteria for narcissistic
             personality order to an eerie tee.

 

             A popular Internet message being spread around the globe notes
             that the description of this disorder sums up Gore's entire
             being.

 

             According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
             Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the bible of psychological
             problems, narcissistic personality disorder is marked by:

 

             "A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior),
             need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early
             adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by
             five (or more) of the following:

 

             "(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates
             achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior
             without commensurate achievements)

 

             "(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power,
             brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

 

             "(3) believes that he or she is 'special' and unique and can
             only be understood by, or should associate with, other special
             or high-status people (or institutions)

 

             "(4) requires excessive admiration

 

             "(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations
             of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with
             his or her expectations

 

             "(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of
             others to achieve his or her own ends

 

             "(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with
             the feelings and needs of others

 

             "(8) is often envious of others or believes that others are
             envious of him or her

 

             "(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes."

 

             Al, the fat lady is singing, and the men in the white coats are
             coming.