MovieChat Forums > Tom Hardy Discussion > Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder?

posted 7 years ago by markhammond-11331
5 replies | jump to latest

As a clinical psychologist having worked with numerous patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, I have, for a long time, thought Tom Hardy could have it (possibly undiagnosed). I am not trying to diagnose him over the internet, but simply providing my observations, which could explain a lot of Tom's quirks & mannerisms. The three main criteria of BPD include:

- Unclear or unstable self-image

This would explain Tom's constantly changing accent & mannerisms, often day by day. Tom also refers to himself as a "fraud" and "phony", saying that he feels "feminine rather than masculine" (Esquire interview). Could also explain his change of sexual preference over the years.

- Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors

Many people with BPD indulge in drugs, alcohol and theft in order to ease emotional pain. Tom has stated himself that he is a former crack addict, and on numerous occasions stole cars (in his early 20's). Could also explain his decisions such as impulsive tattoos.

-Unstable relationships & Paranoia

People with BPD often have an "all good" or "all bad" opinion of people, with no in-between. This results in rapid swings between idealization and devaluation, anger, and hate. This could explain Tom's onset conflict with other actors, and reputation as being a very difficult person to work with. Quoted from Esquire interview "if (Tom) trusts you, he's your lifelong friend, but that if he doesn't—if you "betray" him—he's your lifelong enemy, and that he senses betrayal everywhere."

There are many more things I could list but I will keep it at this for now. Interested to hear other opinions.

[–] n/a

This message has been deleted by the poster

[–] n/a

This message has been deleted by the poster

[–] CarpeDiemO_O 7 years ago

I think it's much more likely that he has ADHD and social anxiety or something along those lines. He clearly has an addictive personality, but that could simply just be that he's a very impulsive person. He tends to get very fidgety in his interviews and doesn't attend many red carpet events, which is why I mentioned the social anxiety. His marriage appears to be a very healthy one, and he also apparently has a great relationship with his parents. I imagine if he was borderline, this likely wouldn't be the case. As for his self destructive behavior, he's been sober for many years now and I don't believe he would do anything these days that would compromise his marriage or land him I'm jail, etc. He himself has admitted to being difficult, but I think that's been blown way out of proportion via media and all that. Tom is a very intense and complex person, which is a large part of what makes him so appealing and intriguing to so many. However, I just don't see him as being a borderline personality.

[–] Yarre_Time 7 years ago

Don't these personality types make the best method actors? Jake gyllenhaal And Christian bale come to mind as well.

[–] markhammond-11331 7 years ago

As to where he get's his talent from? Well, people with mental illness & mood disorders are often extremely introspective by nature. Combine this level of introspection, decades of emotional pain, a passion for the creative arts and a high level of intelligence - you get some of the greatest creatives in history (Van Gogh, Howard Hughes, Marlon Brando, Beethoven etc).

Many studies have found a strong correlation between mental illness and extreme levels of creative talent. I think Tom is the quintessential "tortured artist" in this sense.

I would say that Tom's years of mental anguish & pain (eg. when he was addicted to drugs) has allowed him to perfectly empathise with, and understand the psychology of 'dark and twisted" characters. When Tom plays these characters, he is tapping into a part of his own personality & life experience - which allows him to produce such realistic portrayals.

As Anthony Quinn once said about Marlon Brando - "I admire Marlon's talent, but I don't envy the pain that created it."