Does Anakin have BPD? (+9 Signs & symptoms)
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OptimistMinds
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
The current blogpost will be answering if Anakin has BPD. We will also be looking at the different signs of Borderline Personality Disorder that Anakin Skywalker portrays in the Star Wars films.
Does Anakin have BPD?
Yes, Anakin has BPD. In the Star Wars films, Anakin Skywalker is not exactly confirmed to have Borderline Personality Disorder. But, according to a study published in 2011, Anakin definitely struggles with BPD since he portrays a number of signs of the disorder.
Anakin Skywalker is a Jedi who is said to bring the right balance to the Force. However, he moves away to the Dark Side, and becomes a Sith Lord. He assumes the title of Darth Vader, wreaking havoc on the universe.
Anakin’s personality and mentality have been studied very closely by psychologists, since he portrays a number of interesting facets, but simply since his cultural significance as Darth Vader is very high.
It is definitely clear and true that Anakin indeed portrays a number of signs of Borderline Personality Disorder. But there are also some alternate theories as to what mental health disorder Anakin is suffering from. Some of these are:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the many alternate diagnoses that have been tossed out when it comes to Anakin Skywalker. This is mainly due to the many traumatic incidents in Anakin’s past.
However, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD does not lead a person to display such acts of violence in a person. And neither does Anakin match all the diagnostic criteria for this mental health condition.
- Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is another mental health disorder which has been attached to Anakin Skywalker, mainly due to the many mood swings and mood shifts that the character goes through in the Star Wars films.
At the same time, many people disagree with this diagnosis since while Anakin displays frequent mood swings, he does not show a clear-cut manic phase or depressive phase as the mood disorder would manifest.
- Dissociative Identity Disorder: Some fans of the Star Wars films who have closely studied the personality of Anakin Skywalker have expressed that he might have actually had Dissociative Identity Disorder.
This is because of him turning into Darth Vader, with a very distinct personality and set of principles. However, Anakin is aware that he is Darth Vader, and he only changes his morals to fit his current wishes and desires of power and glory.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder: Another diagnosis that has been associated with Anakin Skywalker is Paranoid Personality Disorder. This is mainly due to the high levels of paranoia and doubt that basically turn Anakin into Darth Vader.
- Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizoaffective Disorder is another alternate diagnosis for Anakin Skywalker, given his frequent mood swings and also his psychotic symptoms of dissociation. However, dissociation can also be caused by BPD.
Signs of Anakin’s BPD
Anakin Skywalker’s journey from Jedi to Sith lord is one of the most interesting character arcs in the Star Wars films. His actions and behaviors become increasingly worrisome and toxic, with his principles and morals swinging between good and evil.
In the following points, we have discussed the various signs and symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder that Anakin portrays in the Star Wars films, along with the various mental health issues.
He definitely cannot control his anger
Anakin Skywalker definitely shows a lot of difficulty in controlling his anger throughout the Star Wars films. Many times, his anger is even feared by those who are close to him, including his wife, Padme.
In many cases, Anakin’s anger may be justified, such as when it comes to his mother’s death. At the same time, difficulty in controlling anger may be a sign of some underlying mental health disorder.
He is violent towards Padme
In a painful experience to watch, Anakin even uses the Force to choke Padme when she arrives to confront his move to the Dark side. He loses sight of his love for her and does not even regard the fact that she was pregnant at the time, which shows the dangerous violence of his anger.
He takes part in dangerous activities
Even before he becomes Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker shows a tendency to take part in many dangerous activities. For example, when Anakin and Obi-Wan were chasing Zam Wessel, Anakin simply leaps on to the speeder, which could have actually ended poorly for him.
Another instance where Anakin shows his impulsivity is when he runs off to Tatooine to help his mother. Instead of listening to Shmi, he chose to lean on to his visions and ended up falling prey to Darth Sidious and his evil plans.
He is afraid of people abandoning him
Anakin Skywalker also shows a very high fear of people abandoning him, especially when it comes to the women in his life. Anakin is very traumatized about his mother’s death and this even leads him to think Padme might be taken away from him at any moment.
This fear of abandonment is very characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder, and can even lead to relationship troubles. These troubles can also be seen in the intensity of attraction and love that Anakin shows to Padme.
He has many unstable relationships
Anakin’s relationships throughout the Star Wars films are also very unstable. This not only is the case of his romantic relationships, but can also be seen in the mentor-protégé relationship that he shared with Obi-Wan.
He has a distorted self-image
It is pretty clear that Anakin Skywalker has a distorted self-image. He is never fully clear of his identity and his principles and morals. This distorted self-image actually leads him to become Darth Vader at the end.
Right from the start, Anakin Skywalker is searching for his place in the world. Despite the prophecy pointing to him being the Chosen One, Anakin still struggles with his personal morals. This is another main reason for him going over to the Dark side.
He is very narcissistic in nature
While Anakin’s metamorphosis into Darth Vader can be mostly blamed on Darth Sidious’ evil plans, it can also be blamed on Skywalker’s narcissism. Anakin wanted all that power and glory to himself which led him to embrace the Dark side, turning him into Darth Vader.
Originally, Anakin joins the Dark side after his mother’s murder. However, he is attracted to the power of the Dark side and seeing a prominent seat available at the table, Anakin Skywalker easily moves in to eventually turn into Darth Vader.
He shows dissociation
In two instances in the Star Wars films, Anakin also shows signs of dissociation. When Anakin learns of his mother’s death, he takes his anger out on the Tusken raiders and goes on to slaughter the entire tribe.
Another instance is when Anakin kills a number of young Jedi-trainees. In both of these instances, Anakin shows a completely different body-language and seems like a totally different person. He even does not remember these events clearly.
He is paranoid and suspicious of others
Anakin Skywalker might have been smart and strong, but is truly paranoid and suspicious of others. Darth Sidious easily takes advantage of this personality trait of Anakin, who acts on his paranoia leading to the death and destruction of many in his path.
Conclusion
The current blogpost has answered if Anakin has BPD. We have also looked at the different signs of Borderline Personality Disorder that Anakin Skywalker portrays in the Star Wars films.
If you like this blogpost, please leave your comments and questions in the space below.
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