Deadpool having social anxiety is like a misnomer. It just doesn’t really fit.
Who is Deadpool
Unquestionably the funniest and most entertaining superhero we have ever seen, Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool has certainly lived up to his “merc with a mouth” reputation. Possessing an uncanny ability to regenerate and heal himself from any illness or injury, Wade Wilson (Deadpool’s secret identity) doesn’t have much to worry about. Explosions, bullet wounds, falling from really high buildings, or even the Covid-19 pandemic have no effect on the man. He is literally invincible from everything you can think of.
Since Deadpool cannot develop any physical illness, it’s possible that he can develop a mental illness. Perhaps even an illness like Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). If, and that’s a big “if”, Wade Wilson is vulnerable to a mental health disorder, then one of particular interest would be SAD. Wilson is inherently a very social, outgoing individual who doesn’t mind large gatherings or being in the spotlight. He can fill a room with laughter, spotlight himself by speaking loudly, and plays pranks on people when bored. So, since SAD causes the exact opposite type of behavior in people, it’s hard to imagine Deadpool be unsociable. But, we’ll give it a try and examine one scene in “Deadpool” which wouldn’t have happened if he had SAD.
Deadpool is the opposite of Social Anxiety Disorder
**Deadpool is the “merc with a mouth”, which means he talks a lot. Click here to see why someone with SAD can never be anything with a mouth**
The Social Anxiety scene from Deadpool
Deadpool, 2016
Deadpool (2016)
Scene: The initial bar scene when Wade Wilson asks his friend (bartender) for a specific drink he calls a “blowjob”
Anxiety Provoking Event: Playing a prank on one of the patrons (Buck) at the bar, which resulted in a fight between that patron and another one.
If Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool had Social Anxiety Disorder, he never would have pranked Buck, and the bar fight wouldn‘t have happened.
background
At the beginning of the Deadpool movie, we see Wade Wilson at a bar speaking to his friend, Weasel, who works as the bartender. This bar is not a typical one as it is specific to mercenaries, ex-military, and really tough dudes. Wilson asks for a drink he named a “blowjob”, which consists of Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish cream, and whipped cream. This is not a typical drink that you would find around tattoo covered, red-meat eating, macho men. Although I hear that it’s quite tasty to some people. This “blowjob” drink is an insult to serve to the types of people at this bar. Nonetheless, Wilson makes the request and Weasel gives him the drink.
the prank
Once in hand, Wade asks a waitress walking by to deliver the drink to a strong, mean attitude, long bearded, bulky man named Buck. He tells the waitress to notify Buck that the drink came from another strong, bulky man named Boothe. To relieve the puzzling look on her face, Wade comically explains that it’s “a little four play” action. Once Buck received the drink, believing that it came from Boothe, he stood up and went straight to Boothe’s table and beat him up. Boothe was knocked out and left unconscious by the end of the fight. This started a bar fight amongst other patrons for some reason, but ultimately, Buck was left standing. Luckily, no one told Buck or Boothe that the drink actually came from Wade Wilson.
Deadpool, 2016
No prank if Deadpool had Social Anxiety
If Wade Wilson (Deadpool) had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), this hilarious prank and bar fight scene would never have happened. The effects of SAD would have created such a severe sense of anxiety. Anxiety being someone would have found out that he masterminded the bar fight. This would have put a huge spotlight on Wilson as everyone would be looking at him, making comments about him, and worse of all, judging him. People with SAD have an absolute fear of being judged by others, and so they try their best to avoid putting themselves in that position. SAD sufferer’s like to lay low in all social events.
the red face symptoms of sad
If people at the bar would have discovered that Wade was responsible for the hilarious prank which led to the bar fight, there would be people judging him all day. The people at the bar would immediately notice the physical symptoms of SAD, which include heavy, bright red facial blushing, profuse sweating, and trembling hands (Red Face). So even if Wade Wilson, who oozes with confidence, tried to play it off like he doesn’t care, everyone would realize that he does care because of his red, embarrassed, sweaty face.
more red face comes with more attention
To make matters worse, once people notice Wade’s red, sweaty face, they would point it out in front of everyone. This draws an incredible amount of attention to Wade, resulting in more blushing and more sweating. It is literally the most uncomfortable social position in the world to be in. So, Wade Wilson would not even put himself in the position of playing a prank and risk getting caught. Therefore, that hilarious bar fight scene would not have ever happened.