Does Walter White Have a Mental Illness?

In the Breaking Bad series, Walter White, the main character, is portrayed as a complex individual with a range of behaviors that have been interpreted as potential signs of mental health issues, particularly antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Antisocial Personality Disorder and Walter White

It is often suggested that Walter ticks many of the boxes for ASPD, given his disregard for the law, chronic lying, explosive anger, deceit, and manipulation. Many viewers and critics have pointed to his narcissistic traits, such as his pride, egotism, and grandiose sense of self. However, it is important to note that ASPD is typically diagnosed with a history of misconduct, which Walter appears to lack based on the information we have been provided.

While Walter does not meet all the criteria for a clinical diagnosis, he does display several traits commonly associated with the Dark Triad—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. However, it is crucial to understand that these traits, while potentially concerning, do not necessarily equate to a diagnosable mental illness in medical terms, particularly when considering the context of his actions.

Walter White's Mental Health and the Reality of Life

Walter White is diagnosed with a terminal illness, lung cancer, which significantly impacts his mental health. Depression and anxiety are common responses to such a diagnosis, and it is clear that Walter is struggling with these emotions throughout the series.

There is a famous quote by Bertolt Brecht that speaks to the broader context: “First grub and then ethics.” This quote highlights the often stark reality where morality is sometimes compromised in pursuit of survival. Brecht's work, particularly Threepenny Opera, deals with the impoverished attempting to support themselves through any means possible, reflecting the moral dilemmas faced by those on the survival edge.

The Morality of Success and Survival

In the series, Walter's actions can be seen as a survival mechanism. Without his financial and personal efforts, he and his family would likely fall into abject poverty. Similarly, the wealthy may exhibit less concern for ethics, but their morality is often a facade. They delude themselves into believing they are moral, much like the self-deception found in narcissistic personality disorder.

The series raises fundamental questions about the nature of morality and how it is perceived by different societal classes. The argument can be made that the true mentally ill are those who insist on amassing wealth beyond what they need for survival, as seen in the GOP Health Bill, which, while expanding healthcare access, also leaves millions without coverage to benefit an already wealthy elite.

In conclusion, while Walter White displays behaviors that could be associated with mental health disorders, it is more accurate to view his actions through the lens of the struggle for survival and the often compromised moral standards in our society. The series ultimately serves as a commentary on the complex web of factors that influence human behavior and the pursuit of personal and familial survival.