Expert explains how shooting could 'seriously' impact Trump's mental health

Donald Trump's minor injury could be masking much greater mental damage from his shooting, a mental health expert says.

Simon McCarthy-Jones, a professor of clinical psychology at Trinity College Dublin, claimed the potential impact on Trump's mind could not be ignored.

Tens of thousands of Americans suffer non-fatal gunshot wounds each year, and studies have shown that trauma can cause long-term damage, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression .

“Such experiences can shatter people’s assumptions that they live in a safe, understandable and controllable world, leaving them feeling unworthy, insecure and uncertain,” explains Professor McCarthy-Jones. “People may re-experience the event through flashbacks or nightmares. They may also experience heart palpitations, sweating or shortness of breath when reminded of the event.”

McCarthy-Jones told The Conversation that people with PTSD may try to avoid reminders of the event, lose interest in activities, and feel numb, irritable, and angry.

They may constantly be on the lookout for threats, have difficulty concentrating, have anger attacks and feel emotionally unstable, he added.

The problem may be worse for Trump because he is known for his quick temper, so he may not be able to understand or control his emotions.

In fact, individuals' personality traits can influence how they respond to a traumatic event such as a gunshot wound .

People with an extraversion personality—a personality trait characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, and a high degree of emotional expression—may experience less stress and fewer symptoms of PTSD.

However, those with "low agreeableness, low emotional stability" may suffer from more severe forms of this condition.

Professor McCarthy-Jones explains that those with high levels of narcissism, which Trump has been accused of displaying, may end up responding to even minor threats with disproportionate aggression. However, others can experience “post-traumatic growth” (positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity or other challenges with the aim of rising to a higher level of functioning).

“The way a person makes sense of their trauma can be crucial to their outcomes,” said Professor McCarthy-Jones. “Feeling shame or anger towards others after experiencing a violent crime is associated with a greater likelihood of developing PTSD. If a person is able to understand why the event happened or take something positive from it, better outcomes can be expected.”

He noted that social support from family, friends and colleagues could be "vital" to Trump's recovery. It will be important for him to feel a sense of security and belonging to help him make sense of the events and discourage "risky behavior."

In addition to Trump himself, those around him at the rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman shot him on Saturday should be on the lookout for signs of trauma.

Even members of the public who watched the incident live on television may be at risk.

Professor McCarthy-Jones stresses that more attention should be paid to the potential damage caused by shocks, such as the one Trump suffered.