About Tom Expertise While it is a huge topic, I am well-versed in World War II generally. There is a huge wealth of information available on the internet, HOWEVER, one has to know the trash from the gems. Many sites which are not obviously credible (govt, university, and museum sites, for ex.), provide erroneous information (intentionally or otherwise).
Experience BA in history, and been reading and studying WW2 as my 'hobby' for 30 years. Regular contributor to several online forums in military history, WW2, and related areas and topics.
Organizations None relevant to this topic.
Education/Credentials BA, History (Secondary Education), with minor in Geography
US Army Engineer Officer (Officer Basic and Advanced Courses)
Did Hitler have a clear and diagnosable mental illness that progressed rapidly during the war? I am aware of his "twitching-hand problem" that he attempted to conseal later in his life. From what nervous disorder did he suffer? Were these illnesses a result, in any degree, from intake of mustard gas he was exposed to while fighting in WWI?
Any additional information on these and other topics regarding Hitler's psychological/nervous disorders would be greatly appreaciated.
Sincerely,
Stephen D.
Answer This question/issue is the subject of an enormous amount of speculation, debate, and both academic (historical, psychological, political) and medical controvery.
Sadly, from what I know of the matter (and I am not an expert on his health), there is a LOT of speculation - even substantiated speculation - but the absolute truth will never be known.
Here is a good article that you should consider reading: http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-163.htm
Note this bit:
"Hitler’s own personal physician diagnosed him as manic depressive." I hadn't heard that before, but am not surprised.
There is a great deal of speculation that Hitler had the onset of Parkinson's disease. I don't think this was ever accepted as fact, but I do know it carried a lot of "weight" in historical circles (meaning that it couldn't be proved, but the evidence did support it - including his palsy/shaking).
I have never heard that his WW1 gas wounds were linked to his parkinson's or other diseases.
Another theory (long-standing, though weak in fact), was that he had syphillis. See this BBC article for more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2842819.stm
Others posit that he was a repressed homosexual - but how one could ever prove such a view now is beyond me.
There are not only a wealth of articles on Hitler's health, but actually entire BOOKS focused solely on his health, including at least one by one of his doctors. So - if you REALLY want to get into this, there is a literal TON of info out there.
But to me the bottom line is that he was mentally somewhat asocial, and eventually his health gave out on him. But the specifics of why will likely never be even close to determined. After all, look at pictures of the US presidents when they enter office, and compare it to when they leave office 4 or 8 years later - I am always struck at how they age in office. I presume the same happened to Hitler - the responsibility, the pace, the constant attention and demands on a person wears them down.
I hope this wasn't too long-winded, but you can see my point - there is a LOT of talk on this subject. You could, in fact, write new books or doctoral dissertations on this narrow subject.
