Does Gon have bipolar? (+3 Causal factors)
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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…
This detailed article will be explaining if Gon has bipolar. We will also be listing the different signs and symptoms of mental health issues that Gon suffers from. Finally, we will be checking out the causal factors which could have contributed to these.
Does Gon have bipolar?
No, Gon does not have bipolar. The character from the anime series, ‘Hunter x Hunter’ shows many psychotic sides to himself which shows that he certainly suffers from some underlying mental illness.
However, the show does not give him a proper diagnosis and also does not clarify as to what mental illness he is actually suffering from. Mostly, Gon may have a psychopathic or a sociopathic personality disorder which leads him to act the way he does.
Some of the diagnoses that have been thrown around when discussing Gon’s mental health and illness are:
- Psychopathy: Gon definitely shows many psychopathic tendencies and has an antisocial personality. At the same time, this is not seen all the time. But, when he is stressed or angry, Gon cannot control his actions.
In these times of duress, Gon takes out his anger in a very ugly manner on those who are opposing him. Despite his very young age, he is unafraid of spilling blood and guts and will go to any length to get what he wants.
- Borderline Personality Disorder: Another alternate diagnosis that is often thrown about for Gon is that the character might be suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. The high levels of impulsivity and recklessness shown by Gon prove this.
Gon also finds it hard to manage his rage and takes part in dangerous activities, without thinking about his safety or that of others. Those who have BPD also find it hard to create meaningful relationships, just like with Gon.
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Gon shows plenty of uncontrolled and unfiltered rage throughout the series, and therefore, he might be suffering from Intermittent Explosive Disorder. In this disorder, the person shows impulsive anger very often.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Looking at his back story and his history, Gon may also be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is mainly considering the fact that Gon was actually very young when he got on the force.
The exam that Gon goes through to become a certified hunter is not an easy one and is definitely very brutal. Gon also shows a high level of empathy, which means that he experiences stress and anxiety a lot more than others.
Signs of Gon’s mental health issues
In the series ‘Hunter x Hunter’, it is not clearly mentioned what mental illness Gon is actually suffering from. But, it is certain that he definitely has some deep-rooted emotional issues. Some of the signs of Gon’s mental health issues have been discussed in the following section.
He is not afraid of pain
Gon is one of the most interesting characters in the series ‘Hunter x Hunter’ mainly since he is ready for almost anything and everything. Despite being a kid, Gon is not ready to face any type of pain and is not afraid of any challenge.
While this may seem like a positive thing on the outside, it actually is dangerous and a sign of poor mental health. Being aware of dangerous situations and avoiding threats is a sign of taking care of yourself and not exactly cowardice as many people think.
He is ready to die at a moment’s notice
Gon is not afraid of any threat or any danger, and is actually ready to die any time. Gon actually puts himself in life-threatening situations, much before anyone else in the group. While not fearing death can seem like a strong thing, it can also show a lack of self-identity and self-worth.
He is not able to judge people
Gon is indeed a child, and pretty much too young to become a Hunter. He also does not show any maturity to easily judge people and their character. For instance, he only groups people into ‘friends’ and ‘not friends’.
This is a very childish thought and can even seem very dangerous in Gon’s world, since he constantly comes face to face with murderers and even rapists. In one such situation, he even lets a rapist go since he helps Gon with his training, which shows how immature he actually is.
He goes on a killing spree
In another act that can be a sign of an underlying mental illness and anger issues, Gon goes on a killing spree and kills many ants. This is actually very contrasting to Gon’s actual personality since he has been brought up to love wildlife and take care of them.
In the Chimera Ant Arc, Gon’s murderous tendencies can be clearly seen which points to his antisocial and psychopathic tendencies. Viewers can clearly see a major shift in Gon’s personality, from being an ant-friendly person to a simple serial killer.
He has problems in math
While he is pretty confident in his fighting and sparring abilities, Gon seems to struggle with his cognitive skills. Throughout the series, Gon’s difficulty in doing simple math and calculations is often pointed out as a joke.
Gon can be seen struggling to complete even easy calculations, which are age appropriate. He also does not react well in these situations and his head can be seen steaming as a result of his math anxiety. Poor cognitive skills can also point out mental illnesses in the person.
He flies into rage frequently
Gon is very well-known for his anger and his rage. This is especially during fights and sparring sessions when Gon can be seen transforming into a mean and dangerous machine, completely fueled by his anger.
He lacks self-esteem
While he looks very confident on the outside, Gon actually suffers from poor self-esteem. This can be seen by the way he poorly treats his body and does not give much thought for his own health. Poor self-esteem is another sign of an underlying mental condition.
He is afraid of showing weakness
‘Hunter x Hunter’ also shows Gon’s fear of showing any type of weakness to anyone. He always wants to portray himself as a very strong person, even when he is not feeling too confident. This again points to a lack of self-esteem and self-identity.
Causes of Gon’s mental health issues
Gon’s mental health issues, whatever they may be, are visible, seen and understood in the ‘Hunter x Hunter’ series. Some of the factors which may have led to the various mental health issues that Gon is suffering from have been elaborated in the following points.
- His father abandoning him: Gon’s father abandoned him as a child to become a Hunter. This actually pushes him into the same field much later on. Still, Gon can be seen looking desperately for a father figure in the series and suffering from abandonment issues.
- His poor self-esteem: As one of the smallest and youngest members of the group, Gon yearned for his own permanent place. Most of his actions and his behaviors can be blamed on his poor self-esteem and identity issues.
His low self-esteem levels actually push him to embrace danger more than he wants to and also overlook his own limitations and disadvantages. Poor self-esteem can be a sign of some mental illness but can also be a causal factor in worsening the symptoms.
- His lonely upbringing: As a child, Gon did not have a normal life and was homeschooled. The only friend he had as a child was Noko. This strange life actually matured him faster and therefore, the child in him was never actually satisfied.
Conclusion
This detailed article has explained if Gon has bipolar. We have also listed the different signs and symptoms of mental health issues that Gon suffers from. Finally, we have checked out the causal factors which could have contributed to these.
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Citations
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