The Joker, specifically Arthur Fleck in the 2019 film, doesn't have one single official diagnosis, but exhibits traits of several conditions, most notably Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), likely from a past traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with symptoms aligning with Psychopathy, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and potential psychosis, stemming from severe childhood trauma and neglect.
In Joker's case, pseudobulbar affect probably occurred secondary to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). A number of studies have established that TBI increases the risk of mood disorders, personality changes and substance use disorders.
Pseudobulbar affect
These episodes are excessive, inconsistent with or disproportionate to circumstances or the patient's underlying mood at the time. In Joker's case, pseudobulbar affect probably occurred secondary to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Serious mental illness (SMI) commonly refers to a diagnosis of psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, and either major depression with psychotic symptoms or treatment-resistant depression; SMI can also include anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders, if the degree of functional impairment is ...
There's no single "hardest" mental illness, but Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Schizophrenia, and severe/treatment-resistant conditions like depression or bipolar disorder are frequently cited due to extreme emotional volatility, distorted reality, profound functional impairment, and significant impact on relationships and daily life, making them incredibly challenging to live with and manage. The difficulty often stems from intense internal pain, difficulty regulating emotions, social isolation, and the pervasive nature of symptoms.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): One of the most common mental disorders, GAD is characterized by excessive worry about issues and situations that individuals experience every day. Any worrying that is out of proportion to the reality of the situation may fall under this disorder.
One isn't worse than the other. They're both lifelong mental health conditions that require medication and therapy. It's also possible to be diagnosed with both BPD and bipolar disorder. In those instances, it can be even more difficult to treat because the conditions can aggravate each other.
A simple framework to intuitively understand what may constitute a mental illness is the 5Ds. Deviation, Duration, Distress, Dysfunction, and Danger.
ADHD can be considered a mental illness, but most people don't think of it that way. Learn about other categories ADHD may fall under.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life — your education, job, how well you get along with others, physical health and enjoyment of everyday activities. Having PTSD also may raise your risk of other mental health problems, such as: Depression and anxiety disorders. Issues with drugs or alcohol use.
He's an empiricist and a sociopath, but he's lucid and knows right from wrong.
If diagnosis is applied piecemeal, and the patient's total picture is not taken into consideration, four or five separate psychiatric diagnoses could be listed rather than a single "borderline personality disorder" diagnosis. This happens frequently.
Everyone knows Harley Quinn as the Jokers' girl, but how did she become Harley Quinn? Personality Disorder, specifically, Histrionic Personality Disorder plays a key part in Harley Quinn's life.
He lived with his mother Penny Fleck, who had possibly adopted him. Enduring his abuse, Arthur was found tied to a radiator, bruised and malnourished; he suffered severe head trauma that was believed to have caused him to have his uncontrollable fits of laughter.
So in most of Joker's history he's characterized as being highly intelligent. In TDK he was always the smartest guy in the room, hatched an incredibly complex scheme against all his foes, and nearly won if not for losing a fist fight with Batman. However, in Joker, he's not portrayed as being particularly intelligent.
The Joker being an ENTP personality type, he possesses certain personality traits that align with this classification. One of the key traits for ENTPs is their dominant Extraverted Intuiting (Ne), which is one of the eight cognitive functions that individuals use to take in information.
The 20-minute rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy to overcome task paralysis by committing to work on a task for just 20 minutes, leveraging the brain's need for dopamine and short bursts of focus, making it easier to start and build momentum, with the option to stop or continue after the timer goes off, and it's a variation of the Pomodoro Technique, adapted for ADHD's unique challenges like time blindness. It helps by reducing overwhelm, providing a clear starting point, and creating a dopamine-boosting win, even if you only work for that short period.
So, ADHD and ASD aren't the same condition, but — because they have so many similarities — it's easy to confuse them. After all, it's not like there's a specific spot on the brain where ASD stops and ADHD begins.
Types of ADHD
What is the Hardest Mental Illness to Live With?
What is mental health? Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, shared psychotic disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder, and paraphrenia.
BPD Meltdown
During a meltdown, people may experience extreme mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty calming down. Understanding how BPD contributes to meltdowns is crucial for developing coping strategies and providing support to manage and navigate these overwhelming emotional experiences.
Why BPD Symptoms Peak in Early Adulthood. In the 20s, identity formation and independence conflict with emotional vulnerability. Research shows impulsivity and mood swings occur most frequently between the ages of 18-25.
The "3 C's of BPD" typically refer to advice for loved ones of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder, reminding them: "I didn't cause it, I can't cure it, I can't control it," to help set boundaries and avoid taking on undue responsibility for the person's actions or illness. Another set of "C's" describes core BPD traits for individuals: Clinginess (fear of abandonment), Conflict (intense relationships/moods), and Confusion (unstable self-image).