Effy Stonem Mental Illness (BPD)

So lately I've been seeing a lot of posts about Effy Stonem's mental illness & how it just came out of nowhere & how it makes no sense ect. So I'm no psych major & I will never claim to be, but I do know a bit more than the average person when it comes to mental illnesses. So for all of those people who say it just "came out of nowhere" here is my little analysis of Ms. Elizabeth Stonem.

Again I am no psychiatrist but if I had to diagnose Effy, I would diagnose her with Major Depressive Disorder recurrent severe w psychotic features and BPD (borderline personality disorder). So I guess Freddy's assumption of "psychotic depression" was pretty close. I personally think that BPD is a bit more accurate though. Effy's mutism in the beginning is already showing she may not be the most emotionally/mentally stable girl bc in all honesty that isn't really "normal". Also childhood trauma & a rocky home life are thought to contribute to BPD. We all know that the Stonem's weren't the best parents in the world. BPD is also hereditary as are many mental illnesses. The Stonem family is chalk full of mental illnesses. Also Effy's inability to get close to anyone & let her guard down is a major trait of BPD. 

To be diagnosed w bpd 5 of the 8 following criteria have to be present:

1. Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, with marked shifts in attitudes toward others (from idealization to devaluation or from clinging dependency in isolation and avoidance), and prominent patterns of manipulation of others. 

2. Impulsiveness in at least two areas that are potentially self-destructive, e.g., chemical abuse, sexual promiscuity, gambling, shoplifting, excessive spending, overeating, anorexia, or bulimia.

3. Affective instability: marked shifts from baseline mood to depression, irritability, or anxiety, usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days. (mood swings)

4. Inappropriate, intense anger, or lack of control of anger, e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights.

5. Recurrent suicidal threats, gestures, or behavior, or self-mutilating behaviors. 

6. Marked and persistent identity disturbance manifested by uncertainty in at least two of the following: self-image, sexual orientation, long-term goals or career choice, type of friends desired, preferred values.

7. Chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom. 

8. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. 

Effy definitely has unstable and intense relationships i.e. Cook and Freddie. She also has this whole "I hate you, don't leave me" thing going on which is very common in bpd. She would constantly shift her attitude towards her relationship with Freddie. She qualifies for 1. She's impulsive. She does a hell of a lot of drugs, drinks like crazy, fucks people the first day she meets them, runs off w/out telling anyone. Check off number 2. She does have mood swings. They aren't as obvious as some of the other symptoms but she has them. Check off 3. Not so much 4. That's more Cook. She tried to kill herself twice so I'd say she qualifies for 5. It could be argued that Effy knows exactly who she is, but also argued that she's very confused. She never really seems to have strong opinions, just goes with the flow. Everyone loves her bc she's a chameleon & is just what people project onto her. She isn't as set in her ways as Cook or Freddie or even Noami & she does seem to be confused on who she is. That's 6. She has said "I need to feel something" & she often seems to have an empty look in her eyes & stirs up problem when bored. Check off 7. When Freddie is disappointed in her for ruining Panda's party she chases after him saying she "didn't mean to fuck everything up" & when no one talks to her after Katie's accident she gets very anxious & calls everyone repeatedly. When Freddie leaves while she's slowly breaking down she texts & calls him repeatedly & looks hopeless when she tells him he didn't answer & she threw a party bc she couldn't stand to be alone. Also I still don't think she has gotten over it. In Skins Fire during Naomi's MRI Effy literally runs out of the room bc she can't stand the thought of Naomi leaving her due to death which is understandable, but any normal person would have stayed there for their friend. Effy literally couldn't handle it & frantically ran out. Also she completely broke the law bc she was worried if she didn't have another "Effy Special" her boss might end it. I think we can cross off 8. 

7/8 of the criteria can be seen in Effy. Borderlines are often effected by their surroundings & their environment & childhood issues. I think Effy always has had bpd or at least borderline traits. Before Pandora, Effy had no real friends. I think Tony getting hit by a bus, then leaving, her dad leaving, her mom being depressed & later leaving really harmed Effy's sanity. She definitely had trust issues & could get close to people bc she was afraid they'd leave. Cook knew that Effy loved Freddie but fucked him instead bc she couldn't handle the feelings bc Freddie was the closest she get to "feeling close" & she was scared. She knew she'd break his heart bc she couldn't love him fully bc she was scared of being left. She knew she would push him away & break his heart. 

Borderlines often need to control their surroundings. Effy used to be very good at that. Love most likely scared her bc she couldn't control it. She couldn't control if she was left or not & she couldn't deal w that. I think her disorder has always been there, circumstances just brought on a mental break down. I've spoken with psychiatrists about this before so this hasn't just been pulled out of my ass, but sometimes hallucinations are the brains way of trying to cope w what's happening. Stress & anxiety can bring on psychosis. So I don't think Effy was schizophrenic, I think she did experience psychosis though. 

Next post will most likely be about Effy's romanticization & how her character in my opinion is misunderstood & the romanticization of mental disorders in general. Stay tuned!