How the 'Manic Pixie Dream Girl' Romanticizes Mental Illness and Neurodivergence | Video Essay

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope has been discussed in tons of article and video essays. But is it possible that the trope isn't simply harmful to women, but specifically to neurodivergent women?


Full disclosure, I’m not neurodivergent, and this is a concept that has been spoken about by neurodivergent women. I recommend you watch their videos/read their articles as well! I've put some links below.

links to videos/articles---
   • Manic Pixie Dream Girls = BPD  
   • How We Fail Manic Pixie Dream Girls  
https://neuroclastic.com/how-the-mani...
https://vocal.media/psyche/manic-auti...
https://www.healthline.com/health/men...

find me on Letterboxd (@Maia_C) ---
https://letterboxd.com/Maia_C

watch more ---
   • Talking about Tropes  

subscribe ---
https://www.youtube.com/c/maiacvideos...

time stamps ---
0:00 - intro
0:40 - who's the MPDG?
2:50 - MPDGs and neurodivergence
4:30 - fetishizing the MPDG
7:40 - outro