Alright guys, time to diagnose the MC!
1.) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - Classic BPD
The MC actually was showing signs of this long before Drew’s death. Idealizing Drew to the extent where they seem to literally think he’s flawless, a strong tendency to think that people they dislike are pure scum with zero redeeming qualities, cutting themselves, a suicide attempt, bouts of extreme anxiety, lots and lots of ORIGINALLY buried anger at those at St. Mary’s. There are signs, between the self harm and blaming themselves for not going to Drew’s rescue when they were having a paralyzing anxiety attack, that the MC has very low self esteem.
AFTER Drew’s death, all of this gets exasterbated. Some MCs are dissociating from their emotions, others are showing exasterbated rapid mood swings - both of which are traits of BPD. Trying to illegally avenge Drew’s death either all on their own or with the help of an equally inexperienced teenage accomplice is impulsive risk-taking behavior to the extreme - they are a teenager with no real knowledge about HOW TO GET AWAY WITH THIS, just pure passionate emotional desire for vengeance.
BPD Traits:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) or the following:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment (Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour coverered in Criterion 5)
[going on a revenge quest once Drew is gone from their lives, possibly saying they’d commit suicide if Drew left them at the beginning]
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterised by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation
[Drew is highly idealized to an unrealistic extent, the bullies & the reporter are devalued and thought of as absolute vile scum, & the relationship with Drew is…a tad intense given the MC is willing to risk prison to avenge them]
- Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self
[a bit unclear, but the MC does seem to have very low self esteem]
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g. spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating) (Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour coverered in Criterion 5)
[breaking and entering, punching reporters in public, making plans to injure bullies, possible future arson, possible future homicide]
5. Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour
[cutting, previous suicide attempt, possibly saying they’d commit suicide if Drew left them at the beginning]
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)
[the MC goes through intense periods of depression, anxiety, rage, intense love, burning hatred, despair, self-blame, etc.]
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g. frequent displays of temper,constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
[uhh…this entire story is kicked off by the MC’s intense rage and inability to control it]
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
[refusing to believe Drew’s death is a suicide & insisting he must have been murdered + some MCs dissociate and become disconnected from their emotions temporarily after Drew’s death]
7/9 Traits, The Other 2 Possibly Also True
Type: Classic BPD
BPD involves rage, and a lot of it. Classic BPD is the type of BPD that involves EXTERNALIZING this rage and lashing out at others. (Whereas those with Quiet BPD usually INTERNALIZE their rage and bury it inside.) Given our MC is off on a vindictive spree, I think we can safely say they are externalizing their rage!
https://bpdfoundation.org.au/diagnostic-criteria.php
2.) Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - Psychotic Depression
After Drew’s death, the MC becomes severely depressed & hopeless. That much is abundantly clear. They are basically crushed and feel like they have, well, “nothing left.” This is more than just normal grief, given the lengths the MC is willing to go to due to feeling they have nothing left to live for.
Seeing Drew’s ghost might be actually a real phenommenon that isn’t explainable by science. Buuuut since the neurotypical (NT) population can’t see ghosts, and it’s been mentioned that the ghost may torment the MC…it would be classified as Psychotic Depression if the MC described it in a therapist’s office - mood congruent psychosis that reinforces depression, began ONLY when the person became clinically depressed, and happens ONLY when they are in a severely depressed state.
3.) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - PTSD NOS
Criterion A: stressor (one required)
The person was exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, in the following way(s):
1.) Direct exposure
2.) Witnessing the trauma
3.) Learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma [Drew’s Murder/Suicide]
4.) Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)
Criterion B: intrusion symptoms (one required)
The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):
1.) Unwanted upsetting memories
2.) Nightmares
3.) Flashbacks
4.) Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders [the bullies]
5.) Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders [panic attack on sight of the bullies]
Criterion C: avoidance (one required)
Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1.) Trauma-related thoughts or feelings [seeking revenge instead of trying to process their feelings in a “healthy” way]
2.) Trauma-related external reminders
Criterion D: negative alterations in cognitions and mood (two required)
Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1.) Inability to recall key features of the trauma
2.) Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
3.) Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
4.) Negative affect
5.) Decreased interest in activities [MC’s focus is becoming slowly consumed by a singular pursuit of revenge - their interest in other activities diminishing]
6.) Feeling isolated
7.) Difficulty experiencing positive affect
Criterion E: alterations in arousal and reactivity
Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):
1.) Irritability or aggression
2.) Risky or destructive behavior
3.) Hypervigilance
4.) Heightened startle reaction
5.) Difficulty concentrating
6.) Difficulty sleeping
Type: PTSD Not Otherwise Specified
Some traumatic events come with ripples that can touch people hours or days after the issue has been resolved. These people might clean up after tornadoes, collect bodies from crime scenes, comfort rape victims, or listen to their loved ones discuss a traumatic event. These people were not direct witnesses, but they can be profoundly touched by the things they experience in the aftermath of the event.