Wednesday: Know her mental disorders to better understand the character

Wednesday is a horror and comedy television series that has generated an extraordinary success around the world through the Netflix platform. The show's main character, Wednesday Friday Addams, played by fashionable actress Jenna Ortega, manifests several mental disorders that are worth knowing about.

Brisbane-based Australian mental health clinic Vision Psychology has studied this fascinating fictional character and has come to valuable conclusions.

As we await the premiere of the second season of Wednesday in 2025, let's get to know this unique girl better.

Wednesday Addams, the iconic character from the Netflix series, exhibits several traits that are commonly associated with various mental disorders and neurodivergent conditions. While she is not explicitly diagnosed in the show, many fans and mental health professionals have speculated about her potential diagnoses based on her behavior and personality.

## Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Wednesday displays several symptoms that are consistent with autism spectrum disorder, such as:

- Difficulty interpreting emotions and social cues

- Minimal facial expressions and rare blinking

- Dislike of physical touch

- Hyperfixation on solving the mystery at Nevermore Academy

- Adverse reaction to bright colors and sensory overload

- Difficulty understanding the impact of her actions on others

## Schizoid Personality Disorder

Wednesday's indifference to criticism and lack of emotional expression are traits that align with schizoid personality disorder. She seems to have a limited range of emotional experience and prefers solitary activities over social interactions.

## Antisocial Personality Disorder

Some fans have speculated that Wednesday exhibits traits of antisocial personality disorder, such as a disregard for right and wrong, a history of criminal behavior, and a lack of remorse or empathy[4]. However, her actions are often driven by a sense of justice and a desire to protect her loved ones.

## Other Potential Diagnoses

Wednesday's character encompasses various other mental health conditions to some degree, such as:

- Obsessive-compulsive tendencies (OCD) in her strict routines and attention to detail

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to her reluctance to trust others

- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) in her intense and unstable relationships

It's important to note that while Wednesday's character traits may resemble certain mental disorders, she is a fictional character, and diagnosing her would require more information than just observation. Additionally, the show aims to portray her as a complex and multifaceted individual who embraces her differences and learns to navigate the world in her own unique way.

Wednesday: her daily life

Wednesday Addams exhibits several difficulties with interpreting and responding to social interaction throughout the Netflix series:

## Abnormal Social Approach

Wednesday has a markedly blunted affect and stilted way of interacting with her peers. She struggles to understand social norms and often responds in an atypical manner. For example, when her friend Enid expresses feeling endangered by Wednesday's actions and undervalued as a friend, Wednesday simply replies "But we didn't" without showing empathy or understanding the root of Enid's concern.

## Lack of Nonverbal Communication

Wednesday communicates very little through facial expressions and body language. Her stiff body language and minimal microexpressions make it challenging for others to read her emotions and intentions. This lack of nonverbal communication contributes to her difficulties connecting with her peers at Nevermore Academy.

## Prolonged Silences

Wednesday often responds to social overtures with prolonged silences and cold stares instead of engaging in conversation. This mannerism isolates her from others by implying she is unresponsive and uninterested in social interaction. For instance, when her roommate Enid invites her to participate in a school event, Wednesday simply stares at her for an uncomfortably long time without saying anything.

## Discomfort with Change

Wednesday resists acclimating to Nevermore Academy and seems bothered by changes that most students would take in stride, such as meeting a new roommate or a coffee shop running out of her preferred drink. Her discomfort with transitions and new situations contributes to her social difficulties.

Overall, Wednesday's flat affect, stilted interactions, lack of nonverbal communication, and aversion to change all contribute to her struggles with interpreting and responding to social cues in a typical manner. While she is a fictional character, her behaviors align with traits commonly seen in autism spectrum disorder and other neurodivergent conditions.