Diagnosis for Pinkie Pie

[FNGRpony 658]

pinkie could be possed?  pinkie could be pregnant?

 

she's certainly not normal.

even in the realm of abnormal she's not normal.

[An Old Head 4,816]

I have to disagree with this. It's not as if I'm fighting to make sure my favourite pony has no disorders or anything, I just feel as if this is a prime example of those cases of "few traits here and there, therefore diagnosis". Allow me to refute some of your suggestions based on my own knowledge of autism (I have it myself, and I see some discrepancies in your theory.)
 

Pinkie Pie is a very sweet and loving individual who never seems to have any hatred at all.

Koelath rightly says that this bears no relevance to autism.
 

She has an exceptionally good memory and almost never forgets even the most trivial facts that she's learned about her friends. (The best example of this trait is show in the episode "A Friend in Deed," in which Pinkie remembers the birthdays of everypony in town and also chats with them about things going on in their lives.)

That's not autism - that's hyperthymesia. The two are very distinct afflictions. While you can get some savant mathematicians based on memory in autistic people, no psychologist would suggest any interrelation.
 

She gets obsessive other things. Whenever Pinkie gets an idea in her head, it takes a lot of convincing to change her mind (if it needs changing, that is), as shown in episodes such as "Bridle Gossip," "Swarm of the Century," and "Luna Eclipsed."

Again, not autism. In fact, an autistic person would be more likely to trail off from an idea they formulate in their head. You're mistaking one type of obsession for another; allow me to distinguish the two.

• Obsession with a fixed idea - your suggestion. Keeping to something and seeing it to the end, but not the obsession associated with autism.
• Obsession with a concept - an actual trait of autism. This means unusually deep indulgence in one or more hobbies or anything of wide spread, rather than a focal idea.

She isn't always that great at interpreting other ponies' feelings accurately and sometimes does seemingly mean or rude things without realizing it.

This is a recurring theme with autism, but again, spontaneous apathy happens in a wide variety of people. This would only work in conjunction with multiple other traits of autism.
 

Her entire state of mind is different from everypony else's. She doesn't seem to grasp what others consider the social norms, and she sees and knows things that other ponies never realize.

That's called having an imagination. She knows perfectly well what the social norms are, and follows them when need be. She simply chooses not to conform to them because she's always in pursuit of new ideas to entertain people. It's very different from not being able to "grasp" them.

 

In addition to this, there are plenty more traits of autism that Pinkie Pie wholly contradicts.

• Seclusion. An autistic person loves their own peace and quiet, and often lacks a desire to make friends.
  
  However, Pinkie Pie is quite the social butterfly, and goes out of her way to make sure she's friends with just about everyone.
   
• Logic. Autism entails making decisions using logic as the axle. An autistic person's chain of reasoning is almost always formulaic and calculable.
  
  However, Pinkie Pie almost always acts with other people's emotions as the axle. She is beyond logic - I think we can all agree on that
   
• Routine. Autism implies a love of orderliness and routine, along with a tendency to repeat things over and over.
  
  However, Pinkie Pie is the complete opposite. She consistently comes up with new forms of entertainment and new gags; she's a creative mind, a free spirit, and never follows a pattern.
   
• Centralisation. More often than not, autistic people's interests are only within one field.
  
  However, Pinkie Pie's skills are in a wide range of interests. She is skilled at baking, party throwing, singing/song-writing, sociality, ice skating, contortion, and many more.

 

Ergo - the only actual trait that Pinkie Pie shares with the autistic populace is small sparks of apathy. And that's hardly viable to place a diagnosis on. She is most definitely unique, but so is every character in the show, and I honestly don't see why it necessitates her having a disorder.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Flipturn

[Windseeker 546]

A weird speculation indeed, but writers aren't going to openly shed light on Pinkie's autism and risk a major shitstorm after Derpy's terrible persecution of being 'offensive'. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Pinkie's attributes as a ridiculously annoying egotistical character alone appeared as derogatory to the autistic and the feminist community.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Windseeker

[Dr. Zerkagon 92]

So I was reading another thread earlier, which caused me to start analyzing Pinkie Pie's personality and behavior.  I thought about the way she interacts with other ponies and how she's just a little bit different from everpony else.

 

For a while, I've had this theory that Pinkie might have some sort of mental condition that would cause her to act so crazy all the time, and today it finally hit me as I realized these things:

 

 

• Pinkie Pie is a very sweet and loving individual who never seems to have any hatred at all.
• She has an exceptionally good memory and almost never forgets even the most trivial facts that she's learned about her friends.  (The best example of this trait is show in the episode "A Friend in Deed," in which Pinkie remembers the birthdays of everypony in town and also chats with them about things going on in their lives.)
• She gets obsessive other things.  Whenever Pinkie gets an idea in her head, it takes a lot of convincing to change her mind (if it needs changing, that is), as shown in episodes such as "Bridle Gossip," "Swarm of the Century," and "Luna Eclipsed."
• She isn't always that great at interpreting other ponies' feelings accurately and sometimes does seemingly mean or rude things without realizing it.
• Her entire state of mind is different from everypony else's.  She doesn't seem to grasp what others consider the social norms, and she sees and knows things that other ponies never realize.

my conclusion:  Pinkie Pie is autistic.

 

 

No, that is definitely not an insult; don't even think so for a minute.  I know lots of people who have autism, and they are all delightful people.  Pinkie Pie is even my favourite pony (though not for that reason), and I like the idea that she might represent this group of often badly misunderstood people.  It would certainly explain why her friends put up with her nonsense so much (if they were good friends, they would be understanding of her condition and accept her as she is), but it would also show that a person's mental state shouldn't affect her ability to make friends and be loved.

 

I shared this theory with an autistic friend of mine just now, and he agreed and gave it his "Austistic Approval stamp", although he admitted that he had never thought of it that way before.  lawl

 

What I want to know is what do you bronies think of this?  Is Pinkie Pie autistic?  Do you think the creators of the show intended for her to be portrayed this way?  Would they be willing to accept it if brought to their attention?  Do you think it's a good idea to have autistic ponies in the show, or at least to vaguely reference the idea of autism?  Why or why not?

 

Whatever you post, please do not say anything rude about people with autism, okay?

I actually should give you the "autism approval stamp" too, but I don't agree.

She probably has Mania.

[AppleJack10 6]

You....you have broken my mind... Lol

[PartyWithPinkie 189]

I always kinda thought that Pinkie had personality disorder.

 

But your way of putting it makes a lot of sense.

[Shine 166]

pinkie could be possed?  pinkie could be pregnant?

 

she's certainly not normal.

even in the realm of abnormal she's not normal.

Possessed, maybe. xD

I'm not sure how she could be pregnant, though.  Pregnancy usually takes a lot of energy out a person, and I don't see her slowing down or getting irritable.  lawl.  Plus, she seems so young and innocent that I would guess she's a virgin.

 

You're certainly right about one thing, though: she's certainly not normal.  <3

 

I have to disagree with this. It's not as if I'm fighting to make sure my favourite pony has no disorders or anything, I just feel as if this is a prime example of those cases of "few traits here and there, therefore diagnosis". Allow me to refute some of your suggestions based on my own knowledge of autism (I have it myself, and I see some discrepancies in your theory.)

[...]

The only actual trait that Pinkie Pie shares with the autistic populace is small sparks of apathy. And that's hardly viable to place a diagnosis on. She is most definitely unique, but so is every character in the show, and I honestly don't see why it necessitates her having a disorder.

Some of those things you mentioned I had either forgotten to take into account or didn't know in the first place.  Thanks for clarifying for me.

I can see now that there are plenty of good solid facts debunking my theory, but as a fan and an artist, I think I'll keep this one in my headcanon for now, or at least a vague notion of it.  lawl.

[Koelath 445]

It's an identifying characteristic.

So, part of my identity. And me and the other students in the Aspergers/Autism support I used to go to group all agree.

And so does my best friend, who also has it. We want to keep using the term "Aspergers". 83

 

My skin is white (well, a shade of peach. White people, albinos notwithstanding, don't exist). No part of my identity is "white guy".

 

Use any term you want. Nobody can exactly stop you.

[crazitaco 596]

Eh, i can't really see it :/ I may not have a very clear understanding of what autism is, though.

I agree more with PsychadelicPony's diagnosis. Its sounds like Pinkie might have some sort of bipolar disorder, considering her tendency to go through moments of depression, hypermania, and even psychosis.

[CharmingStallion 63]

Pinkie Pie is uber awesome, let's not label her like we for some reason think all of humanity needs to be labeled. Seriously what's with all the label topics today....

[Empty Room 512]

That's an interesting way to put it, but I've always thought that she just had ADHD.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

Even though I actually suffer from autism (and while I disagree), I don't find your conclusion offensive in the slightest because I understand why you believe as such and you do make a compelling case.

 

I believe that the writers were trying to make her cut and spontaneous or 'random' to better match her element of 'Laughter' and the thought of her having autism probably didn't cross anyone's mind at the time of the show's development stages.

 

However she definitely has some character traits that lean towards the fact that she has something.

 

 

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); 

 

- In 'Too Many Pinkie Pies' the majority of the clones are easily distracted when one notices the frog accidentally crossed with an orange and the remaining is with Rainbow Dash's claim that someone was making balloon animals.

 

-In 'Three's A Crowd' she chases after Fluttershy proclaiming that she would 'never forget her' just before doing so when becoming distracted by a balloon floating by and chasing after it.

 

 

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); 

 

Bouncing around everywhere, frequent partying, obnoxiously loud and easily excitable as well as the great difficulty she has holding still as mentioned by Twilight in the aforementioned 'Too Many Pinkie Pies' as well as Pinkie saying that she only held still for so long because she feared having to leave her friends.

 

 

Or a combination of the two seem much more likely to me.

[Ponies n Pizza 38]

I am just wondering why we are all diagnosing the characters? I see them all as their own ponies and can be however the writers want them to be... Can't she just be a very happy person who tries to make others happy as well? I mean that's her cutie mark, her destiny. 

[Stellafera 3,836]

For the reasons stated by others such as Flipturn, I don't think she has autism. 

 

Bouncing around everywhere, frequent partying, obnoxiously loud and easily excitable as well as the great difficulty she has holding still as mentioned by Twilight in the aforementioned 'Too Many Pinkie Pies' as well as Pinkie saying that she only held still for so long because she feared having to leave her friends.

 

The bolded is one of the better rationales I've seen, by the way, for Pinkie Pie having ADD, as ADD definitely does make you less considerate and more impulsive. Her behavior in Fili Vanilli would match up quite well with this diagnosis, actually. She just blurted out whatever was on the top of her head.

 

Usually I object to the "Pinkie Pie is so ADD lolz" idea because it assumes ADD is just about being random (as someone who takes medication for it, this is certainly false), but I'm not too opposed to this. That being said, her behavior can also be explained by her being distractable and rude, and she was not made with the disorder in mind just as she was not made with autism in mind.

 

Pinkie Pie is probably not ADD.

[ShadOBabe 19,013]

My skin is white (well, a shade of peach. White people, albinos notwithstanding, don't exist). No part of my identity is "white guy".

I think me and you have different definitions of "identity".

To me, your identity is EVERYTHING about yourself. Physical, mental, and emotional.

[Skylar 1,641]

Diagnosis: MLP is a kids show and pinky is just cheerful / silly, not autistic.   

 

Over analyzing again 

[FlickerHush 46]

interesting....

I always thought that even Fluttershy might have some social anxieties so I can see Pinkie Pie being a bit autistic (but not in a bad way of course) But I suppose I sort of project myself a bit more on Fluttershy because I'm already so much like her that I make her more like me. If that makes sense?

 

I think Rainbow Dash might b slightly narcissistic, but I don't know much about psychology so who knows. But just like every person I think all the mane six have their own mental health issues. Some being more apparent than others but yeah.

[Carolina 212]

I always thought Twilight had Autism (I think other people think so too?), but never occured to me that Pinkie Pie might also. You do bring up some good points though. On the other hand, I think her insensitive behavior in "Filli Vanilli" was abnormal for her established character and that she usually doesn't have THAT much trouble reading people.

[Jokuc 8,174]

Nope.avi

There was a discussion quite long ago somewhere else, I can't remember where. Anyways, one of the people working on the show (I believe it was a writer) actually answered a question that was about whether Pinkie Pie has a mental disorder or not, and the answer was 'no' and that it is just the way she is.

I know this sounds like complete BS to all of you here, but I will come back as soon as I find where I saw it

It will probably take forever so feel free to argue against me meanwhile or whatever.

[~Glimmer Bloom~ 41]

Diagnosis: MLP is a kids show and pinky is just cheerful / silly, not autistic.   

 

Over analyzing again 

Agreed.

 

I think you guys are looking too far into things. This is a kids show, I don't think there are underlying disabilities.

 

Pinkie is just Pinkie, comic relief. You're just trying to point things out that aren't really there. I'm not trying to be rude >_< Just don't think they really made Pinkie to represent autism.

[Shine 166]

Pinkie Pie is uber awesome, let's not label her like we for some reason think all of humanity needs to be labeled. Seriously what's with all the label topics today....

I just realized the irony of this, actually.  I don't generally try to put labels on people (in fact, I've also been in a debate recently about the unnecessity of putting gender labels on people), but this thought just sprang to my mind.  Normally, I would say "Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie; don't judge."  

I also agree with your statement that she is "uber awesome."  Pinkie Pie is best pony.

 

I am just wondering why we are all diagnosing the characters? I see them all as their own ponies and can be however the writers want them to be... Can't she just be a very happy person who tries to make others happy as well? I mean that's her cutie mark, her destiny. 

I didn't actually sit down and try to diagnose any of the characters; this thought just suddenly sprang to my mind as I was thinking about ways I could defend my favourite character from "attacks" by people who thought she was being either a bad character or a poorly-written one.  

Really, Pinkie Pie's personality is the most unique and likable of all the characters in the show, and this is why she is best pony.  <3

 

Diagnosis: MLP is a kids show and pinky is just cheerful / silly, not autistic.   

 

Over analyzing again 

I have a right to overanalyze my favourite show if I want.  Everything we do on this site is just for fun, anyway.  I'm not saying anyone has to believe or agree with me.

 

I always thought Twilight had Autism (I think other people think so too?), but never occured to me that Pinkie Pie might also. You do bring up some good points though. On the other hand, I think her insensitive behavior in "Filli Vanilli" was abnormal for her established character and that she usually doesn't have THAT much trouble reading people.

I never thought of Twilight having it, but that actually does make more sense than Pinkie Pie, since Twi is very logical and struggles with making friends.

 

 

 

The only reason I thought Pinkie Pie was autistic in the first place is because she has such a similar personality to most of my friends who have it.

One Autistic friend of mine has a really over-the-top sense of humor and rarely takes anything seriously, the way Pinkie Pie is often portrayed in the show.

Another is just an extremely random person who comes up with these wacky ideas and spews long confusing rants about how awesome/hilarious/horrifying/weird/etc. any given hypothetical situation would be.  He also shares the "element of laughter" characteristic with Pinkie because he loves nothing more than to make other people happy and is always trying to make his friends smile with his weirdness.

At the same time, though, she also gets really sad and frustrated when her friends aren't paying attention to her, which is exactly how another autistic friend of mine gets if I don't have time to talk to him (although, to be fair, this may be more due to the fact that he doesn't have very many friends and gets lonely, rather than a result of his mental condition).

Finally, her boundless energy and ability to remember absolutely everything reminds me a lot of my boyfriend's sister, who has Autism (as well as many, many, many other mental conditions, including ADHD, ADD, and mental retardation, although I sometimes forget that she has the others, since her family generally doesn't talk about it).

 

I wasn't trying to be over-analytical or offensive when I said that Pinkie Pie might have Autism.  I just noticed some traits that made her more relatable to real people with whom I'm familiar.