Hitler: Behind the Madness

Amber Ward

Important Points to Inquire

Why did Hitler hate the Jewish people so much?
Was Hitler different before the Holocaust?
Did mental/physical illness play into Hitlers decisions?

The Hatred
Hitler's psychotic hatred of Jews is rooted in the mythic image of
the Jews that one so often found in the Christian imagination, as
subhuman creatures of Satan. (Ferrell)
It is also thought that he was simply a racial extremist: wrote "the
nationalization of our masses will succeed only when, aside from all
the positive struggle for the soul of our people, their international
poisoners are exterminated (Mein Kampf)
Along with many other quotes that bear heavy weight to
Antisemitism, he says that he saw a purpose in destroying the
weak so that there could be better space for the strong.

The Hatred cont.

It is also thought that Hitlers hate for Jews could have been from two
political influences he was under while living in Vienna.
Hitler was genuinely influenced in Vienna by two political movements.
The first was the German racist nationalism propagated by the Upper
Austrian Pan-German politician Georg von Schnerer. The second key
influence was that of Karl Lueger, Mayor of Vienna (USHMM)
Lueger promoted many anti-Jewish stereotypes publicly to large crowds
and Schnerer spoke to elitist groups about his ideology.
Hitler drew his ideology in large part from Schnerer, but his strategy
and tactics from Lueger. (USHMM)

Before the Holocaust

Hitler himself said in Mein Kampf that he had a painful
adolescence (Hitler)
Hitlers childhood friend, August, described him as having
refined language, he had little patience, sometimes he seemed
to me almost sinister, and took most all things seriously.
The change in Hitler really began when he found politics and when
Adolf became a NationalistHe knew nothing other than his
people. (Kubizek)

Before the Holocaust cont.

Hitler was described as a troubled adolescent who tended to find refuge in a world
of fantasy. Historians refer to Hitlers typical personality traits as impulsive,
egocentric, cold, aggressive, unempathic, and tough minded. This description tends
to fit well into Eysencks (1977) theory of personality which postulates that such
characteristics are indicative of a high level of Psychoticism (Hyland, Buduszek,
Kielkiewicz)
Hitler fought in World War I and once it was over the war had hardened him. He was
proud to have participated in the task of fighting for a greater Germany. The passive
civilian had turned into an aggressive fighter, more resentful than ever (Redlich)
He also received a position as the Chairman of Propaganda with the German
Workers Party (or Deutsche Arbeiterpartei). Being given this job fueled more hate for
him to point at the Jews.

Hitlers Physical Health

Hitler had lists upon lists of physical health issues.
His physical issues were among the following
Cardiovascular Diseases: hypertension, progressive left ventrical hypertrophy,
mild asymptomatic myocardial ischemia; all of these conditions later pointed
to coronary heart disease.
Gastrointestinal Diseases: IBS (although Hitler said that there was nothing
wrong with his bowels and that the spasms were caused by being annoyed with
his generals), and possible Hep A
Ear, Nose, Throat, and Respiratory Illnesses: constant colds, both eardrums
ruptured in 1944 due to a bomb explosion, multiple polyps on vocal chords
Eye Diseases: loss of eyesight, mild conjunctivitis, microhemorrages of the
eyes

Health cont.
Hitler was also alleged to have a case of syphilis but if untreated
the disease would have been fatal.
Hitler also was suspected to have developed Parkinsons disease.
He also is thought to have had GCA, giant cell arteritis. His
symptoms fit the description of the disease fairly well: swollen
temporal artery, headaches, slight elevation of temperature,
weight loss, and the ophthalmic, cardiologic, and hepatic
symptoms, and a pre-senile appearance.

Drug Dependencies?
Hitler is thought to have had a larger drug dependency problem
with the following: opiates, barbiturates and bromides for
insomnia, cocaine, amphetamines, and alcohol.
What were the effects of such abuse, if any? Could some of
Hitlers major tactical or strategic errorsbe ascribed to [drug]
abuse?(Redlich)
During the Second World War, Hitler took 74 different medications.
(Hitlers Hidden Drug Habit)
Dr. Theodor Morell: Medical Criminal, Quack, or Charlatan?

Drugs cont.
The only drugs Hitler needed at times were aspirin,
anticholinergic medications, and nitroglycerine as a standby
against angina pectoris. (Redlich)
All of Hitlers physical ailments could have been solved with simple
drugs, however, with the doctor he had, Hitler became almost a
sort of pin cushion considering the 20+ injections he received each
day. These injections and 74 total different medications he was on
also could have effected his mental judgement.

Mental Health
Hitler showed many obvious signs of mental instability including
intense aggression due to a need for dominance, self destructivity,
multiple rumors alluding to sexual perversions, anxiety, he was a
hypochondriac and had many paranoid delusions, and was so
obviously a narcissist.
He had other mental problems that were not so obvious: Hitler
reached the criterion threshold for a range of personality disorders
including paranoid, antisocial, narcissistic, and sadistic personality
disorders; the features of which are all consistent with detailed
reports of his adult life. (Hyland, Buduszek, Kielkiewicz)

Mental Health cont.

It is also commonly thought that Hitler suffered from paranoid
schizophrenia.
Individuals who suffer from paranoid schizophrenia very often
exhibit a patronizing and superior manner in interpersonal
situations. The occurrence of paranoid schizophrenia does not
disqualify the individual from successful functioning in daily life
paranoid schizophrenics can display few, if any, cognitive
impairments and can function extremely well in independent living
and in occupational settings. (Hyland, Buduszek, Kielkiewicz)

Sources
Redlich, Fredrick C., M.D.Hitler: Diagnosis of a Destructive Prophet. New
York: Oxford UP, 1999. Print.
"Adolf Hitler: Early Years, 18891913."United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 29 Jan. 2016. Web. 19
Mar. 2016. <https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?
ModuleId=10007430>.
Ferrell, Donald R. "The Unmourned Wound: Reflections on the Psychology of
Adolf Hitler."Journal of Religion and Health34.3 (1995): 175-97.JSTOR. Web.
21 Mar. 2016.
Kubizek, August, and E. V. Anderson.The Young Hitler I Knew. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1955. Print.

Sources
Hyland, Philip, Daniel Boduszek, and Krzysztof Kielkiewicz. "A Psycho
Historical Analysis of Adolf Hitler: The Role of Personality,
Psychopathology, and Development."Psychology & Sociology4.2
(2011): 58-63.JSTOR. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Gatzke, Hans W. "Hitler and Psychohistory."The American Historical
Review78.2 (1973): 394-401.JSTOR. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Secret History. Hitlers Hidden Drug Habit: Secret History. Online
video. YouTube. Youtube, Nov. 24, 2014. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Hitler, Adolf, and Ralph Manheim.Mein Kampf. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 1943. Print.