Darth Vader Mental Diagnosis

[CalMeacham]

proof positive that head doctors have too much time on their hands:

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/buzz-log-darth-vaders-diagnosis.html

[AClockworkMelon]

Just what are these traits? Well, there are the unstable moods that Vader suffers. One minute he's happy because he sliced Obi-Wan Kenobi in half. The next, he's all huffy that his subordinates let the Millennium Falcon escape.God forbid he only display one emotion.

[MacTech]

:dubious:Emotions are illogical, captain:dubious:

[John DiFool]

I thought Kenobi vaporized himself right before the blade hit him. Can we chalk that one up to fubared special effects?

[Green Bean]

Of course he has BPD. Because the BPD diagnostic criteria provide an outstanding template on which to build a fictional bad guy.

Courtesy of Wikipedia:A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, as well as marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1.Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5
2.A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3.Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4.Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., promiscuous sex, eating disorders, binge eating, substance abuse, reckless driving). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5
5.Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats or self-injuring behavior such as cutting, interfering with the healing of scars (excoriation) or picking at oneself.
6.Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7.Chronic feelings of emptiness
8.Inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9.Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation, delusions or severe dissociative symptoms

Also, here is Narcissistic Personality Disorder:Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic classification system used in the United States, as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy."[1]

The narcissist is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness.

BPD + Narcissism = Instant Bad Guy

[AClockworkMelon]

I thought Kenobi vaporized himself right before the blade hit him. Can we chalk that one up to fubared special effects?Why on Earth did you think that Kenobi vaporized himself?

[thelurkinghorror]

BPD people are hyper emotional. They're the young lady who cuts herself for attention and abuses drugs and sex. They would not be able to commit to one master for decades, no matter how many cool lightning powers he teaches. The only emotion Vader expresses is "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The rest of the time, it's James Earl Jones' cool monotone.

[Zebra]

Mommy didn't love him enough.

[Balance]

Of course he has BPD. Because the BPD diagnostic criteria provide an outstanding template on which to build a fictional bad guy.
Or a hero, in some genres.

[chicken wire?]

Why on Earth did you think that Kenobi vaporized himself?

It's not like he just got cut in two though, is it? From what I recall, Vader "strikes him down" with his light sabre, and there's nothing left of him, just his empty clothes. Did he vaporise, or was he vaporised, that is the question.

[billfish678]

It's not like he just got cut in two though, is it? From what I recall, Vader "strikes him down" with his light sabre, and there's nothing left of him, just his empty clothes. Did he vaporise, or was he vaporised, that is the question.

I always took it that he was either struck down or just about to be struck down and he was in touch enough with the force to do some kind of intentional whole body (or two part ?:) ) ascension into higher plane /after life.

Getting struck by a light saber certainly doesnt make one magically dissappear thats for sure.

[AClockworkMelon]

Kenobi was killed by Vader's lightsaber. In the original trilogy all Jedi fade away into force ghosts after they die.

[Skald the Rhymer]

Kenobi was killed by Vader's lightsaber. In the original trilogy all Jedi fade away into force ghosts after they die.

Where do you get that idea?

Vader is clearly surprised that Kenobi just disappears. Given that he's killed any number of other Jedi in the past, said discorporation is clearly unusual.

[BigT]

At worst, Vader is depressed and narcisistic. BPD and/or bipolar just don't fit.

[AClockworkMelon]

Where do you get that idea?Gee, I don't know. (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070807232756/starwars/images/thumb/7/72/Jedi.jpg/800px-Jedi.jpg)

Vader is clearly surprised that Kenobi just disappears. Given that he's killed any number of other Jedi in the past, said discorporation is clearly unusual.You can take that up with the director, Lucas. He attempts to explain this away at the end of Revenge, when Jinn learns how to transcend death. You can take from that that he then taught Yoda and Kenobi, though I'm unsure how Anakin was supposed to have learned it.

[Skald the Rhymer]

Gee, I don't know. (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070807232756/starwars/images/thumb/7/72/Jedi.jpg/800px-Jedi.jpg)


Sorry, I was unclear. I meant "where did you get the idea that ALL Jedi evaporate upon death."

[AClockworkMelon]

Sorry, I was unclear. I meant "where did you get the idea that ALL Jedi evaporate upon death."Excuse me. In my original post I meant to say that all the Jedi in the OT turned into Force ghosts, not that all Jedi turn into Force ghosts.

[twickster]

Moved MPSIMS --> Cafe Society.

[Sitnam]

Mommy didn't love him enough.
Too busy slaving over her job I guess.

[cochrane]

Don't forget, inasmuch a great number of people would like to, in Episode I, Qui-Gon was struck down by Darth Maul and didn't disappear. It wasn't until revenge of the Sith that Yoda revealed to Ben that Qui-Gon had visited him as a Force ghost. Perhaps it was Yoda or possibly Qui-Gon himself who might have instructed Ben in that particular trick. In any case, It doesn't seem to be a skill that all Jedi had mastered previously.

On review, I see that AClockworkMelon has already said this.

[Malleus, Incus, Stapes!]

My good friend in high school was fond of saying that Vader/Ani had dissociative identity disorder.

[Alessan]

In fact, I'd say Vader make such an effective villain because he isn't insane. He's intensely loyal, highly disciplined, deeply principled and has a strong work ethic. Where's the crazy?

[Captain Amazing]

In fact, I'd say Vader make such an effective villain because he isn't insane. He's intensely loyal. . .

Well, he throws his boss down a deep hole to his death, so he's not THAT loyal.

[Alessan]

Only because he stopped acting rationally and let sentiment get the better of him.

Or maybe he reached the conclusion that loyalty to family was more important than loyalty to liege.

[SCSimmons]

You can take that up with the director, Lucas. He attempts to explain this away at the end of Revenge, when Jinn learns how to transcend death. You can take from that that he then taught Yoda and Kenobi, though I'm unsure how Anakin was supposed to have learned it.
I like Lore Sjöberg's explanation (http://www.brunching.com/lukeside.html), personally.

[pancakes3]

Well, he throws his boss down a deep hole to his death, so he's not THAT loyal.

the rub is, it's at the moment where he stopped being loyal that he stopped being a villain. i agree that vader was a great villain because he was such an automaton, and robots make for the best villains because they don't screw up. think of how much more terrifying the droid army would be if they were actual robots programmed and designed to kill? the irony of course being that the biological clone army is the more efficient, ruthless militar