This is an interesting one. Travis Langley Ph.D. writes for Psychology Today about his recent experience “breaking down” psychological disorders in superhero characters for a popular Youtube program. He touches on the delicate balance of using fictional characters to help educate the general public without further stigmatizing those who are living with Borderline Personality Disorder:

“Still, I’m always wary when I discuss psychological topics that may be poorly understood by the public. Although using fictional characters as examples for explaining real human nature spares us the complications of discussing living, breathing human beings, any public discourse on a specific mental illness or personality disorder nevertheless raises issues that touch the lives of living, breathing human beings.”

You can read the full article here