Saga The mental conditions of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Anakin is the one character from any work of fiction that I truly, deeply analyze to an extreme degree
From my perception, he does not seem to have what people would call a textbook medical perfect mind, in that he may have some form of mental disability or otherwise detrimental condition

There was one psychologist back in 2005 who I believe diagnosed him with a minor personality disorder, though I don't think that's the case

From my interpretation, it seems like he could have some form of autism, possibly Asperger's Syndrome. As an aspie myself, the signs seem blaringly obvious. The way he freezes up in a lot of situations, his complete awkwardness with Padme, silly poetry and all, his manner of speaking, the way he emotionally responds to things. I believe that he at times cannot understand his own feelings, and so often reacts irrationally or illogically, and when he does react, it's either heavily suppressed or to an extreme degree. This does not just apply to his existence as Anakin Skywalker, of course. I think that even as Darth Vader this condition remained. His development throughout the OT shows a massive scale of emotions hidden behind the helmet, anger that he could not explain, a conflict which he tried to deny, etc. I think there's solid enough evidence to say that Anakin/Vader could have at least some degree of autism, perhaps another mental condition

Now before we get into discussion, let's all be serious and mature about this. No disrespecting people who may have a different mindset than your own or anything, and look at this merely from an external psychological standpoint

I'd like to hear what others have to say about the way they see Anakin in this regard

 

While there is no doubt to me that Vader is quite mad, I am less interested in suscribing labels to a fictional character. But if I had to chose, it would be narcisstic personality disorder.

 

There was a more recent one as well:

​

http://rebeccasdystopia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/star-wars-psychology-anakin.html​

​

that discussed Anakin's narcissistic streak - though it cropped up more in the novelization of ROTS than in the movie.

 

And there is this (which might be the one Seagoat refered to, although it's from 2010): http://www.livescience.com/10679-psychology-darth-vader-revealed.html

It's funny. Many Star Wars fans hate Anakin's character, yet the same character made it into a professional journal like "Psychiatry Research" and led to a little discussion among psychologists. Given that Lucas is very interested in subjects like psychology/anthropology/sociology, I wouldn't rule out the possibility he had something like this vaguely in mind. In case someone is interested, the article titled "Is Anakin Skywalker suffering from borderline personality disorder?" is also available online as PDF (google).

Anakin is certainly an interesting character, not only in a pathological sense but also in a sense of what's not pleasant about many of us.

 

It's almost as bad as the Hitler diagnosing. Makes you wonder if Psychology is a legitimate field of science.

 

Unless you challenge the existence of the human psyche and the possibility of it getting hurt as a result of becoming mentally ill, psychology and especially psychiatry are most definitely legit fields of science and medicine. I don't know what's "bad" about it (could you give an explanation?).

Impulsity and anger, is there any doubt? The point that Anakin suffers from "abandonment issues" is widely accepted, even among people who hate his character, although commonly refered to as "attachment issues" in Jedi terms among fans. He also quite obviously went back and forth between idealizing ("Don't get me wrong... Obi-Wan is a great mentor. As wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am truly thankful to be his apprentice.") and devaluing ("But in some ways... a lot of ways... I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials! But he feels I'm too unpredictable. He won't let me move on!") his master. Bui's points about "dissociative episodes" are also quite understandable, for instance remember his pretty clear "I'm a Jedi. I know I'm better than this.".

It's an interpretation, for sure, but that's what it's all about and it's not as much about "diagnosing" Anakin (like a real world patient) as it's about making a very real mental illness (BPD) accesible for young people and students and finding a way to understand uneven adolescents and behavioural patterns. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is widely accepted in medical classification, so why not go with it?

 

The BPD diagnosis seems rather appropriate at first glance, but this article does a good job explaining why it's probably not accurate.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201006/putting-darth-vader-the-couch

What it comes down to, I think, is that Anakin was under a variety of extremely abnormal, extremely intense pressures at multiple points during his life. It was as a direct result of these atypical pressures that he acted the way that he did. The hardships he endured during his life greatly magnified some of his underlying bad personality traits which, while not entirely healthy, were probably not pathological.

 

I had read this some time ago, but thank's for the link again.

That's kind of what I meant, though. I don't think Eric Bui ever wanted to "diagnose" Anakin with BPD in a real-world sense and Lucas obviously also didn't want to portray a mentally ill protagonist. However, Bui saw Anakin as an option to showcase some symptons of BPD in an easily understandle and for young people accesible way and I still think that idea has its value and that some of Anakin's experiences (separation from his mother etc.) led to some genuine psychological problems (attachment etc.). At the same time, it makes it obvious for us that Anakin was not some ever-doomed insane person, but that some of his traits and behavioural patterns are grounded in real-world psychology that concern all of us.

Having said that, I still find it noteworthy that the fictional character of Anakin Skywalker was the subject of a small discussion among professional psychologists and psychiatrist. Makes a fair point that the character was by far not as "unrealistic" or "unbelievable" or far from reality as some of his biggest critics would like to make you think.

 

Well, how about this? He is a fictional character, not a person. How exactly does this further the science of psychology in any way? It's like studying the physics of a warp drive. You can do unscientific evaluations of fictional characters for the lulz, but anything beyond that goes too far.

Of course psychology and psychiatry are legitimate fields! But **** like this definitely doesn't help.

What?! Anakin is a slaughterer of children. How exactly is using him as an example making a real mental illness accesible?

 

Seems like the sort of thing that might be given out as a school exercise - by a more whimsical teacher.

Someone might even choose it as a coursework project.

 

Could be a fun exersize for teenagers, yes.

But professionals should know better.

 

Perhaps even as a university coursework project.

 

That would be most stupid. Certainly you can learn more from a real case rather than an imaginary one?

 

PhD projects are the "learn something new" thing. Before that stage, a project may have more to do with "show that you can identify relevant things."

 

Sorry, you can't tell me it is easier to learn "the relevant things" from a fictional character rather than a real person. Especially in psychology where you shouldn't objectify your clients.

 

His inability to proper express his feelings towards Padme comes not from having an Asperger's condition, but rather that he was trained as he was. He's gone from a nine year old with a wide range of feelings to a nineteen year old who has been trained to control his emotions. He has never tried to be with any other girl, not just because of his lingering feelings for Padme, but also because as a Jedi, they're not supposed to form attachments to people that they're attracted to. So what you have here is someone who doesn't know how to act, whereas you take Han Solo, who has lived a normal life and he's able to articulate his feelings quite well towards Leia. He's been around the block more than once.

In terms of his larger feelings, this also is a product of his training where a Jedi trained from birth like Obi-wan is better able to handle himself whereas Anakin cannot because of his age when he began. He denies his feelings as Vader because he doesn't see himself as worthy of redemption that Luke does. To admit that there is conflict is to admit that he wasn't really a bad man, but a man who made some terrible choices. It's his coping mechanism for causing Padme's death which he still carries with him. That's why that old EU story where Vader fights a duplicate of Maul ends with Vader and Maul having this exchange.

 

I suppose that it could be taken either way - or as a combination of both. Just because there's one other plausible theory does not mean that the other is suddenly invalidated. Both circumstances could simply exacerbate the situation

 

as to this is say,,, yeah No

 

Uhhh
I have no idea what you're even referring to lol. Would you mind extrapolating?

 

on whether Anakin had autism

 

If you watch "The Clone Wars" and ROTS, he has no problems talking to Padme. He only does in AOTC because he's in hormone hell as any nineteen year old guy will tell you and has no experience with girls. I was that way and I do not have Asperger's. He understands his feelings just fine, but he's trying to adhere to the Jedi Code which is there is no anger, there is only serenity. The problem is that he saw his mother die and so he becomes angry at that. Likewise, his arrogance makes him think that he's better than Obi-wan which is why he opens up to her about his frustrations.

 

I can't tell what you mean though. You answered both yes and no

darth-sinister he had obviously become comfortable around Padme by that point. Once well acquainted with somebody, it's of course easier to be around them, and even more so as open as he is when it's somebody whom he trusts with all of his being. Same for Palpatine, and Obi-Wan, who were always there since he began training

 

Well, I am no professional, but I teach Psychology (college and HS...no doctorate) so I do have my own insights. I would not classify him with straight borderline personality disorder but he does have some of the traits. Also, NPD (narcissistic personality disorder). And of course the symptoms from any of these negative traits: depression, anxiety, morbid thoughts, self centered and selfish, a skewed thought process in some ways, problems with authority (except for Palpatine who is the domineering figure in his life he bows to...literally).

My two cents

 

But you don't have to have autism or Asperger's to be uncomfortable around someone you are in love with. Actually, Anakin's not really uncomfortable with her. He just doesn't know how to tell her how much he's in love with her until the fireplace chat. He just wants to blurt it out the minute he sees her, but can't because he's afraid of rejection and he's trying to adhere to his training. Anakin's showing the classic symptoms of being in love. The fact he doesn't demonstrate this around total strangers such those that he interacts with during the war, indicates that he isn't suffering from anything.

No offense, but I think you're kinda projecting because you see similarities with yourself in his character, based on Hayden's performance.

 

Perhaps I am, but I believe it's possible he may have both. The traits of being unable to properly articulate thoughts/feelings is one of the signs, yet of course I realize that this is a common thing among teens when hopelessly crushing