The Reality of Yandere Girls

Portrayed in anime as girls obsessed with either men out of their league or boys that show no interest in a romantic relationship with them, Yandere are characters that suffer from Obsessive Love Disorder (OLD). As charming as it is to have a fangirl follow you, and obsessively protecting your honor, the reality of these types of stalkers have proven to be problematic.

Art by Goofy Ai

From loss of sleep, to routine harassment, women suffering from OLD tend to pursue their love interest in an unmannerly habit. Though you're showered with love and affection, these girls mostly live with depression and an unhealthy level of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and/or Bipolar Disorder. 

Each individual is different in their condition, but the facade is usually the same: lack of cleanliness, self-esteem, and self-control. They may come in different shapes and sizes. 

A perfect example of this profile comes from the Netflix show: Baby Reindeer. Whereby a bartender receives a lonely woman, down on her luck, unbeknownst to him as a threat to his privacy and peace of mind, as an obsessive stalker.

Art by Netflix/Ringer illustration

The girl is charming, in her own way, but she comes off aggressive and impulsive. Unlike the murder happy Yandere type in anime, the physical threat is towards the love interest, rather than to his advisary. But nonetheless the idea is still unnerving.

Managing these symptoms require plenty of therapy, as medication and self-control requires exploring deep seeded issues psychologically. This is not something you can tackle on your own, or with the help of one's family and friends. 

CITATION:

1. Meriweather, M. W. (n.d.). Why “baby reindeer” rose to the top. The Ringer. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theringer.com/platform/amp/tv/2024/4/30/24145050/baby-reindeer-show-netflix-phenomenon-true-story-richard-gadd

2. Cherney, K. (2023, September 15). Obsessive love disorder: Symptoms, what it is, causes, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-love-disorder#causes

Author: Eugene Cordell

Advocating for equal rights through live events and media productions, Eugene has published books for mental health awareness, and is certified in ADHD Management and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, by the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. Hosting events, like, Nerd Civil War at Ninja-Con and BentCon, and festivals like Azure Lorica FanFilm Awards, his aim to aid the Millennial generation continues through the Los Angeles Antibully Society.