Adolf Hitler’s new diagnosis
By Colette Cairney
Adolf Hitler, the dictator for Nazi Germany, was often characterised by his extreme nationalism, totalitarianism, and genocidal policies. Recent information has come out from The Times, on Wednesday which ultimately diagnoses Hitler with Kallmann syndrome (KS), which is a genetic disorder that affects the development of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
This discovery was made possible by recent DNA analysis of a bloodstained cloth from the sofa where he took his own life in 1945. This cloth was cut by a US Army colonel and preserved for analysis.
The cloth found has been presented in a new Channel 4 documentary: “Hitler’s DNA: The Blueprint of a Dictator”.
This documentary will uncover more about his genetic disorder. The ancestry claims that Hitler had Jewish DNA and the psychological insight to his anti-social behaviour.
Researchers say KS may have been linked to Hitlers actions, however not definitively proven, it may have been a catalyst in more deeply rooted psychological problems.
KS is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately one in 30,000 males world-wide and one in 125,000 females.
There is currently no cure for KS, however, KS can be treated.
GP Dr Patel, in an interview with Yahoo News said: “Treatments are available which focus on replacing the hormones the body isn’t producing, and allowing puberty to progress normally, which may include hormone therapy such as testosterone for males or oestrogen and progesterone for females,”
“When fertility is desired, other specialist treatments can stimulate sperm production or ovulation. With proper medical management, most people with KS can expect normal sexual development and good long-term health.”
Dr Sasha Howard, a paediatric endocrinologist at Queen Mary University of London said: “It is impossible to know how much Hitler was affected.
“There’s definitely a spectrum.”
A 1923 medical report was uncovered in 2015, that states Hitler had an undescended right testicle, the DNA analysis conducted gives some weight to this as, the mutation in the gene also known as PROK2 is strongly associated with KS and can lead to one or both testicles not descending properly.
In a survey conducted by researchers Johannes Hofmann and Hertha Richter-Appelt, comparing 16 men and five women with KS, it was evident both genders experience the somato-medical problems, and the psychosocial consequences are a heavy burden for both genders.
Researchers also found men are more likely to bear a heavier burden through insecurities and shame about the absence of virilisation and subsequently suffer more from bullying and marginalisation experiences.
Men have a higher chance of experiencing mood changes more frequently, compared to females.
This new diagnosis is now evident Hitler was likely to have one or more neurodivergent or mental health cases.
In 2008, a British newspaper alleged that Doctor Theodor Morell (who had tended to Hitler’s wounds in 1916) had stated that Hitler lost a testicle because of his injuries.
Dr Morell told his story to a priest who wrote down the details. Whether this story is true or not is a subject of debate with several different medical professionals.
As DNA typically lasts for thousands of years, it is still miraculous Hitler’s bloodstained cloth was able to be recovered all these years later and can now be used for further research into the condition.
Hitler was a hypochondriac although, he suffered several different medical conditions, ranging from his diagnosis of bipolar disorder to being schizophrenic. There is no clear answer for how many disorders Hitler had suffered or been diagnosed with during his time.
The findings of Hitler’s new diagnosis could be of potential help into providing insights in other genetic disorders and facts that may influence the development in similar conditions in other people.
However, the group of researchers that are investigating this are keen to ensure that their findings are not used to stigmatise people with any of the conditions indicated in Hitler’s DNA.
Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Psychologist Professor, said: “Behaviour is never 100 genetic.
“Associating Hitler’s extreme cruelty with people with these diagnoses' risks stigmatising them, especially when most people with these diagnoses are neither violent nor cruel, and many are the opposite.”