Psychoanalysis of Christian Grey

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To be honest, the first time I read Fifty Shades of Grey, it was for the illicit sex. The second time was to process what I read. The third, fourth and fifth times was to delve deeper into Mr. Grey’s neurological and psychological impulses. Something about his mannerisms, and the way he interacted with others, spoke to me on a profound level. I know autism when I see it. For those not familiar with autism, Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, defines autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees (hence, a “Spectrum” that includes both low- and high-functioning individuals), by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. "If he could read body language, he wouldn’t need the dreaded 'safe word' would he?" Appalled at my audacity to label everyone’s favorite Dom with autism? Let me assure you that autism isn’t a dirty or shameful thing in my household. Nor should it be in anyone’s household. Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and the like wouldn’t be the standard-bearers they are today without having employees with autism and ASD. It's no surprise that the autism and ASD populations in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, California and Redmond, Washington have incredibly high autism populations. But, let’s get back to Mr. Grey and my autism theory. Based on the criteria and symptoms of autism and autism spectrum disorder, I hereby submit to you several examples of Mr. Grey’s autistic behaviors: Difficulty with social interactions and relationships Christian Grey… • Dislikes direct eye contact, and can’t read body language. If he could read body language, he wouldn’t need the dreaded “safe word” would he? • Is unable to make friends. Well, he does have one friend. But, only because she shares his predilection for pain. • Lacks empathy. He doesn’t understand why someone finds it overwhelming to receive expensive books, cars and computers. Truthfully, I don’t understand why someone would mind receiving these gifts, so let’s move on to another example… • Can only engage in a relationship if a person signs and adheres to a specific set of rules and regulations, which make him comfortable. He’s more rigid than one of his bamboo canes, apparently! Difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication Christian Grey… • Had a speech delay until the age of 6. Children should babble by 12 months and speak words by 16 months. • Converses with people in a flat, abrupt, monosyllabic manner, and finds nothing wrong with that affect.

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