The mental health of Joe Goldberg, a fictional character crafted by writer Caroline Kepnes, has sparked much intrigue across the internet. The character, who is central to the novels ‘You’ and ‘Hidden Bodies’ and their subsequent TV adaptation, ‘You’, is a bookstore manager whose romantic pursuits tip into obsession.
The plot of the novels and the series unfolds through Joe’s lens, allowing audiences to understand his thought process and rationalisations, even as his deeds grow more sinister. Recently, the spotlight has turned towards the mental health of this character, raising questions about a potential Erotomania disorder.
Erotomania is a condition characterised by delusional beliefs of being loved by another person. There are claims that Goldberg exhibits symptoms of this disorder, something that was hinted at in earlier seasons through his complicated past and desperate yearning for love.
Additionally, the character shows traits of antisocial personality disorder, narcissism, and codependency in the first season. Mental health professionals have observed that Goldberg’s mental health is a complex web, and while the term psychopath has been associated with him, it doesn’t hold substantial clinical weight.
In the majority of cases, Erotomania is a standalone condition, although it can be tied to other psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. As of 2023, it is believed that Goldberg continues to live with the disorder. Erotomania often has its roots in early life experiences and could potentially be categorised as complex trauma.
While the disorder can be recurrent, it is generally rare, and treatment has a high success rate, particularly for individuals with bipolar disorder or without additional underlying conditions. For more updates on Goldberg’s mental health, viewers can continue watching the series.
Getting into the specifics of the character, Joe Goldberg was born from the creative mind of author Caroline Kepnes. The character has amassed a significant fan base through the TV adaptation of the novels, originally aired on Lifetime and later moved to Netflix.
The character is brought to life by acclaimed American actor Penn Badgley, who has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for numerous years. His portfolio includes notable roles in various successful films and TV series, such as Gossip Girl, Restless, Drive-Thru, The Stepfather, among others.
Badgley’s portrayal of Joe Goldberg has earned him critical praise and numerous recognitions, including nominations for the MTV Movie & TV Award and the Saturn Award. The actor has been commended for his performance, and the eerie ambience and disquieting narrative of the show, touching on themes of violence and stalking, have resonated with audiences.
