Moran and BPD
Ever since I read the MTP manga in 2022, I had the thought that Seb showed signs of mental illness, and as a fandom we all agreed he probably struggles with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)- but I had a feeling it's more than that, and after few weeks of research, I concluded there's a possibilty he might also have BPD. I already made a presentation about this back then, but I thought it's time to re-write it because my knowledge is broader now, and I never published the old one anyways.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert, I am not diagnosing him- this is just a theory. Mentions of sh and suicide.
What is BPD? In short, borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects the way people feel about themselves and others, making it hard to function in everyday life. It's often caused by trauma (parental neglect, abuse, etc.), but research shows that people with healthy background can develop this disorder as well, and genetics can also play a part in it. People with BPD usually begin experiencing symptoms in their early adulthood, but that doesn't mean it can't develop later on. It's not uncommon for people with BPD to also have PTSD.
Key features to BPD: -Intense and unstable relationships -Fear of abandonment -Difficulty with identity -Emotional instability, impulsive behavior -Chronic feelings of emptiness -Self-harming and suicidal behavior
We will analyse him based on these points.
Intense and unstable relationships: His relationship with William is a perfect example of this; his devotion towards him borders on obsession. He tends to idolise him, viewing him as an almost god-like being- his perception of him is black-and white, a trait common in BPD.
Emotional instability & impulsive behavior: His tough shell hides inner turmoil which reveals itself in sharp bursts. He often acts out of emotions rather than logic, not afraid to engage in violence whilst doing so. "He mixed up assuaging his own feelings with what we have to do", Patterson said about him in chapter 60. His reactions can be unpredictable and dramatic, his usually calm demeanor is quick to shift to anger and such.
Fear of abandonment: This one is basically self-explanatory; we've seen the state William's 'death' left him in, not only was he a mess, but upon finding out William was in fact alive, he took it as him abandoning him and questioned him in tears. He was tipsy in that scene, but it was obvious he was being honest and vulnerable.
Difficulty with identity: He basically lacks a sense of self outside of being William's right hand; upon his disappearance, he even went as far as 'taking his place' and 'becoming him', instead of trying to find his own goals and life. Even Patterson mentions that William's existence was a huge part of him.
Chronic feelings of emptiness: He rarely expresses such feelings outright, but his dependence on William, lack of self-identity and emotional detachment may stem from an internal void. All this might indicate a deep emptiness that he's trying to fill by serving something greater than himself.
Self-harming and suicidal behavior: He doesn't explicitly engage in such behaviors, but his self-destructive tendencies can be seen in his willingness to risk his life anytime. His readiness to take extreme risks without any concern for his own well-being could be taken as a form of self-destruction.
It's important to note that his behavior is largely driven by his attachment to William, so it could be just attachment issues instead of serious mental illness, but people with BPD tend to have a favorite person whom they often rely on heavily- so both could be true.