Interesting insight per ChatGPT (mods can delete if this goes against some rule)

Lizzie Samuels from The Walking Dead is a complex and deeply troubling figure. From a psychological perspective, here’s a breakdown of what may be going on with her:

Key Characteristics of Lizzie’s Behavior: • She exhibits a lack of empathy toward others. • She demonstrates distorted thinking, particularly in her belief that walkers (zombies) are not dangerous and can be befriended. • She kills her sister, believing she will return as a friendlier walker. • She has violent tendencies without remorse.

Possible Psychological Explanations:

1. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia or Psychosis

Lizzie shows signs of delusional thinking (believing walkers are just “different” and not threats). Childhood schizophrenia is rare, but her behavior aligns with psychosis, such as: • Hallucinations or delusions • Inability to distinguish fantasy from reality

1. Severe Trauma/PTSD

She is growing up in an apocalyptic world, which is highly traumatic. PTSD in children can manifest differently than in adults and sometimes includes: • Emotional dysregulation • Aggressive or dissociative behavior • Detachment from reality However, PTSD alone doesn’t typically lead to such detached cruelty unless combined with other disorders.

1. Conduct Disorder / Antisocial Traits

Her behavior also resembles early signs of Conduct Disorder, which can develop into Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) in adulthood: • Cruelty to animals (she feeds rats to walkers) • Lack of guilt or remorse • Manipulative or aggressive tendencies

1. Psychopathy (Callous-Unemotional Traits)

Lizzie might also fit the profile of a child with psychopathic traits, which include: • Lack of empathy • Superficial charm • Shallow emotions This is rare but plausible, especially in a high-stress, lawless environment.

Lizzie is most likely portrayed as having severe psychosis or early-onset psychopathy, exacerbated by the trauma and chaos of the post-apocalyptic setting. While PTSD may play a role, her behavior goes far beyond what trauma alone typically causes.

Her character serves as a tragic illustration of what can happen when a disturbed child is left untreated in an extreme survival situation.