Does Cartman from South Park have BPD?
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This interesting blogpost will be answering if Cartman has BPD. We will also be discussing the many signs and symptoms of mental health issues which Cartman depicts in the sitcom, South Park.
Does Cartman from South Park have BPD?
No, Cartman does not have BPD. It is true that Eric Cartman shows a number of signs and symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder in the sitcom, South Park. However, he does not exhibit all the characteristic signs of BPD for a proper diagnosis.
Eric Cartman, is definitely spoiled by his mother who aims to keep him her baby always. Cartman develops obesity but also shows a number of psychopathic tendencies, even being anti-Semitic at many times.
Despite his many problematic behaviors, Cartman is definitely the most popular character in the sitcom and even has gone on to become a proper cultural icon in America. And as a result of his popularity, has become a case-study for many psychologists and mental health experts.
Cartman’s diagnosis is not clear due to many reasons, with his very young age being the main one. Furthermore, his behaviors do not fit the diagnostic criteria of any particular mental health disorder. A few theories which have been discussed when it comes to Cartman are:
- Antisocial Personality Disorder: The most common hypothesis for Cartman and his mental health is Antisocial Personality Disorder. Cartman is truly aggressive when it comes to other people and is definitely anti-social.
He also displays high levels of emotional manipulation and uses others for his own needs and desires. Furthermore, even for his very young age, he displays being very knowledgeable of how human emotions work and uses this intelligence to create problems for others.
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Another common diagnosis for Eric Cartman is Oppositional Defiant Disorder. He is truly a bully and in turn does not get upset or disappointed when someone teases him.
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Some fans of the show feel that Eric Cartman may actually have Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which is the reason why he is so aggressive and adamant most of the time.
At the same time, this is highly unlikely since Cartman actually has shown his ability to deal with certain tasks and problems with a lot of focus and attention. ADHD alone cannot definitely be the reason for Cartman’s toxic behaviors.
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder: It is quite well known in South Park that Cartman has a very mean temper. He is seen to get angry in a split second of time and actually goes on to become physically aggressive at many instances.
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Apart from being very arrogant and aggressive, Cartman also shows a pretty high level of self-obsession. He always tends to make things about himself and wants to get his own way at all times.
- Conduct Disorder: Perhaps the most likely of all the diagnoses which have been discussed when it comes to Cartman is Conduct Disorder. He is not only physically aggressive to others, but can even be seen being very hurtful towards animals.
Furthermore, Cartman also has taken part in destroying public property around him. In one certain episode, Cartman starts a business of his own where people can pay him to destroy the property of someone that they hate. Cartman accomplishes by spreading feces.
- Eating disorder: Cartman is definitely on the heavy side and also knows this well. He also constantly eats very unhealthy food, fueled on by his mother. At the same time, Cartman does not do anything about his weight and continues to eat unhealthily.
However, Cartman does not show many of the other typical signs of Eating Disorder. For example, he does not overeat whenever he is anxious, and he also does not care about his weight or the amount of calories.
Signs of Cartman’s mental health issues
Eric Cartman in the sitcom South Park is certainly one of the most interesting characters in pop-culture, even if he can be very rude and arrogant at times. Many mental health experts and fans have also tried their best to analyze him and diagnose him.
Cartman mostly shows a number of signs of Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder. In the following points, we have discussed the various signs of Cartman’s mental health issues which he shows in the sitcom, South Park.
Cartman is an outright bully
Eric Cartman is definitely a bully and those around him clearly know this. Cartman uses his obesity and large physical frame to scare others into getting what he wants and doing what he wants.
Bullying is often a sign of some deep emotional conflicts and can even point to the presence of Conduct disorder. In adults, bullying often signifies a poor self-esteem and emotional maturity in handling problems.
He can be very manipulative
Another sign of mental health problems that Cartman shows in the sitcom is that he can be quite manipulative. Cartman demonstrates a very high emotional intelligence and is well aware of what trigger factors affect those around him, including adults.
Instead of using this emotional intelligence for understanding others and empathizing with their struggles, Cartman uses this emotional intelligence for the purpose of pushing others to do what he wants at all times.
He has anger issues
Cartman is definitely an angry guy and constantly shows mood swings and mood shifts in the sitcom. His anger issues also point to the presence of some deep emotional conflicts that he might be having.
Cartman’s anger certainly does not stop in feelings alone, and he physically takes part in violence at many times. His anger can also be seen directed towards certain communities like Jews and Blacks.
He has no qualms about destroying public property
Another behavior of Cartman which point to the presence of Conduct disorder is that he does not hesitate in destroying public property. In fact, destroying the property of others with feces was one of Cartman’s business ideas.
He does not show any remorse
Despite clearly being aware of the fact that he is hurting other people and destroying their things without their permission, Cartman does not show any remorse or guilt for his actions. This is yet another sign that Cartman has some personality disorder like ASPD, or Conduct disorder.
This can particularly be seen when Cartman actually kills Scott Tenorman’s parents and feeds them to him. When Cartman actually finds out that Scott is his half-brother, which means that he killed his father, he still does not show any remorse for his actions.
He also has several delusions
In the South Park sitcom, Cartman can also be seen experiencing a number of delusions, particularly delusions of grandeur. Delusions of grandeur are common in conditions like personality disorder and even schizophrenia.
He is also very impressionable. In one disturbing episode, Cartman becomes a fan of Mel Gibson after watching ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and starts a campaign against the Jewish people. Delusions like these are not only a sign of mental health issues, but are also dangerous to people.
He hurts animals
Finally, the truest sign of Cartman is definitely suffering from some deep mental health issues, is that he physically hurts animals. This not only includes his live pets and other animals, but even his stuffed animals whom he ‘murders’ in a fit of rage.
Conclusion
This interesting blogpost has answered if Cartman has BPD. We have also discussed the many signs and symptoms of mental health issues and emotional struggles which Cartman depicts in the sitcom, South Park.
If you like this blogpost, please leave your comments and questions in the space below.
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