Can you elaborate on Will's abilities? You talked about how you don't think he is actually empathetic, but does have a vivid imagination. What do you think is actually happening inside his mind in regards to his true abilities?

I believe Will has a vivid imagination, that can be related to schizophrenia, which to me, is his real diagnosis, although I like to have a triple analysis of media, a psychological one, a mythopoetic one, and a spiritual one.

One of the most apparent indicators of schizophrenia is Will’s persistent hallucinations, which continue even after he heals of his encephalitis. While it could have initially triggered his altered perception, the recovery would not account for the continuation of his visual and auditory distortions. This aligns with schizophrenia’s diagnostic criteria, which include hallucinations as a core symptom (on the DSM-5). Patients can experience vivid, intrusive imagery, sometimes linked to paranoia or delusions, much like Will’s hallucinations of the Stagman, antlers, and the general grotesque imagery he sees throughout the show.

Will’s speech is often cryptic, metaphor-laden, and elusive, which are characteristics that align with disorganized thought processes, a hallmark of schizophrenia. In clinical settings, metaphorical speech and tangential thinking can be signs of thought disorder, where a patient’s way of expressing ideas becomes abstract to the point of incoherence (except for his soulmate haha). While Will’s speech remains articulate, it is often detached from conventional logic, reinforcing the idea that his mind does not process reality in a linear way.

Social withdrawal is another key symptom of schizophrenia, manifesting in Will’s isolation and discomfort in social settings. He has obvious difficulty forming and maintaining genuine relationships outside of his dogs, and even his romantic or friendly connections seem strained, distant, or transactional. His paranoia, especially his inability to trust those around him, further aligns with schizophrenia’s symptomatology.

While Will is portrayed as a reluctant hero, there is an underlying grandiosity to his belief that he is uniquely capable of understanding killers (“do you have anyone that does this better unbroken than I do broken?”, “I save people”, “I’m the best you got”). This may be less an extraordinary gift and more a delusional framework, very common in schizophrenia, where individuals believe they have special insight or purpose. Many patients develop messianic or chosen-one complexes, convinced they possess abilities that set them apart. Will’s belief that he is uniquely “good,” because he “can’t help but empathize with killers”, despite constantly aligning himself with violence, is an example of this cognitive dissonance.

Will’s perception of reality is very unstable. He sees things that aren’t there, purposefully dismisses red flags to fit his narrative, and frequently doubts his own experiences. Schizophrenic individuals often experience derealization, where their environment feels surreal or distorted, leading to a constant questioning of what is real. This explains Will’s struggle with discerning his own actions versus his visions, as well as his deep-rooted confusion regarding his identity.

Will experiences moments where he seems to lose control, of course before it could be attributed to encephalitis, but he also experiences the same in season three, after returning to investigate Dolarhyde. These episodes are reminiscent of psychotic breaks. While these moments are sometimes framed as deep immersion into his empathic abilities, they more closely resemble dissociation, which is a common phenomenon in schizophrenia, where a patient’s mind detaches from linear time and perception. The fall might also be one of them since I, personally, do not believe it was a literal fall.

But wouldn’t they know he was schizophrenic since he had plenty of tests and exams?

Schizophrenia is notoriously difficult to diagnose, especially in individuals who can mask their symptoms well. Many high-functioning patients manipulate their surroundings, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid detection. Will’s ability to function in his professional life, despite clear signs of psychosis, may contribute to his lack of diagnosis. Also, the series presents his symptoms through the lens of empathy, which allows his psychotic episodes to be misinterpreted as intuitive rather than pathological. Another point is that schizophrenia isn’t necessarily something that is evident since birth, it can also be triggered by trauma if the individual has the tendencies.

“Mythopoetically”, I like to see Will’s arc and the entire show as an acceptance of sexuality.

And spiritually, I believe Will is the Yin, the Great Illusion, the Lunar/“Feminine” principle. Which I talked about in previous essays.