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Is Maddy Perez a Narcissist? A Therapist Breaks Down Euphoria's Maddy

Shrink Happens

121,116 views

00:00 – Start
01:38 – Why everyone loves Maddie, the Gabby Solis connection, and the question we need to ask
03:22 – The Origin Story — The chair memory, the shame engine. Histrionic personality structure
11:05 – The Narcissism — The OnlyFans storyline, objectification, the Alamo relationship
17:05 – The Soft Core — Cassie, the betrayal, the rescue
19:03 – Maddy & Nate – The projection fantasy
21:54 – The Lesson — Confidence as a separate organ, what we can actually take away

Everyone says Maddy Perez is their favorite character in Euphoria. But why do we admire someone who refuses to be vulnerable — and what does that admiration say about us?

In this video, I break down Maddy's psychology as a therapist: the childhood decision that shaped her, the histrionic performance she built to survive, the narcissistic behaviors she showed, and the soft, unguarded self she works so hard to hide.

We'll talk about shame, projection, the difference between real and performed confidence, and why "healthy self-esteem" isn't what most people think it is.

Disclaimer:
The content shared on this channel is intended for informational and educational purposes only and reflects personal opinions.
It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the guidance of a licensed physician, therapist, or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental or physical health.
Never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you've watched or read on this channel.

#Euphoria #MaddyPerez #Narcissism #EuphoriaHBO #PsychologyOfEuphoria #CharacterAnalysis #TherapistReacts #SelfEsteem #EuphoriaAnalysis #AlexaDemie #TVPsychology

🛋️ Interested in 1:1 sessions
or
📩 Got a question or situation you want me to look at? – email at khristinabondar@gmail.com

20 Comments

@shrinkhappens Creator 2 weeks ago Pinned

📍 Which Euphoria character should I analyze next?

@maddyG7414 2 weeks ago (edited)

Love this take. Maddy is iconic and a fantastic character, but I definitely agree that she gets put on a pedestal because people just see her confidence. The new season really emphasized that she is ruthless and can be very callous. I think that only adds to her intrigue. She’s not a ‘narcissist’ in an obvious sense. She has tendencies but she’s complex and vulnerable too.

@Purplemoonxoxo 2 weeks ago

People also develop narcissistic traits when dealing with narcissists. Her ex boyfriend was a toxic jerk, so I think she developed narcissism as a way to protect herself from getting hurt again.

@ilyalma504 2 weeks ago

I’ve never actually heard Maddie talked about this way and it was really eye opening. I remember when I was younger and watching euphoria for the first time, Maddie was someone who I really looked up to, but probably in a unhealthy way, I tried to change myself to be like her, look like her and feel like her so that I could maybe hopefully get her confidence. But I couldn’t, and like you said in this video, maybe that was never possible because it was all a performance. I really enjoyed the video!!!! Would love to see you doing a video on Alamo

@ssobaszek8193 2 weeks ago

I like your take. I also noticed that Maddy’s confidence is rather performative and that it is her way of shielding the fact that she’s actually a massive softie, and that’s exactly what I like the most about her. There are little snippets in the show where you can see that she really loves and cares about Rue too.

@Marvelfan-g9h 2 weeks ago (edited)

I think when Maddie got introduced, she felt like a villain/mean girl but she showed that not everyone is what they look like. I think that might be one reason a lot of people like her character. She cares for her friends and will speak up for herself and what’s right. She has moments where she can be mean.

@paradoxbox4K 2 weeks ago

Gabby Solis, Maddy Perez and Toni Childs

@ashtrayangels 2 weeks ago

maddy reminds me a lot of myself in a lot of ways, be that our race and personality or even her up-bringing and ex boyfriend. i feel like people make her out to be something mythical and almost like a concept rather than a young woman who masks a fear of vulnerability and submission under a confident and powerful mask, and ive never felt so connected to that.

@yukinohana8237 12 days ago

I think you might have overlooked Maddy's family issues; the show didn't emphasize them much, but they were definitely there especially during the whole ordeal with Nate and Cassie. She always had trouble with her father and a complicated relationship with her mother much like Cassie, though the dynamics were different. Still, it matters. Ultimately, Maddy really cares about her friends, even though no one seemed to truly care about her when she was suffering; you can see this in certain scenes like when she called Kat while crying. There are so many examples showing she’s a loyal friend she even forgave Cassie, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing that in real life.

@eucalypso 13 days ago

When you strip away the flashy outfits and the curated Internet aesthetic, Maddy Perez is an incredibly violent, mean, and volatile character. Her immediate response to conflict is physical violence. Whether it’s starting a physical fight at a carnival or storming the stage to beat up Cassie during Lexi's play, she completely lacks impulse control. One of her most unforgivable acts was lying to the police to protect Nate after he brutally beat Tyler. She knowingly ruined an innocent guy's life and let him go to jail just to preserve her toxic relationship. Finding Cal’s tape wasn't something she used to help Jules; she kept it strictly as blackmail material, proving her loyalty only extends as far as her own self-interest.
Putting her on a pedestal as a "bad bitch" icon or role model sets a terrible standard. She is deeply damaged, and instead of dealing with her inner rage, she takes it out on everyone else around her

@lucyk2634 2 weeks ago

THANK YOU for connecting Maddie to Gabby! I always saw similarities, actually to me it was like they are the same character in different show but nobody ever mentions it until now you. I just started video, curious what you have to say! 🎉❤

@Shmitha-s8e 4 days ago

This is a very great way of explaining Maddie’s character and diving deep into the issues and showing us that she isn’t so picture perfect,
She is someone who looks cool and confident externally but as we look closer she is just like everyone of us she is just better at faking it.

@foallasuszarhazi8303 12 days ago

i think most abusers have been victimized themselves. the drive to be in control in every situation, to rule every interaction, to "win" all the time comes from a wound when they were on the receiving end of it. they were made feel small and shameful and they never want to feel that way again. and then, as a victim of this once victimized person, you are torn between empathising with them and condemning them for the pain they cause. I never liked Maddy's character because for ten years my best friend had been a Maddy. I see where she is coming from, but I couldn't forgive the psychological and emotional damage that she has done to me. and I know it's a show. everybody loves her because she's charming and magnetic and appears to be the pinnacle of success. it's hollow and inauthentic. thank you for your take on the character!

@chillero3heftig712 2 weeks ago

confidence is barely a skill. its the sum of your money, ressources, well being, manpower, extra rights, space for mistakes and similar stuff. bc if whatever you try or do doesnt end bad you have a lot more confidence than if a simple misstep ends your life or removes any source of food and shelter and community.

@whatlee8671 4 days ago

I was just like Maddy in my early 20s this was such a good video.

@friedeggmeg 5 days ago

I audibly gasped when you related Maddy to Gabrielle from desperate housewives

@angelicasysnila5476 2 days ago

A lot of classmates of mine had this kind of confidence. As if they put up a mask of being confident to maybe protect themselves.
That's how I always saw maddy.

@theenergeticdiabetic 2 days ago

Awesome breakdown. I'd love to see a Rue and Almo video. Aslo if you’ve ever watched Interview with the vampire a video on those characters alot of great personalities and situations to dissect.

@messybessy8 3 days ago

watched it all and definitely had to subscribe, i see a lot of maddy in me and i genuinely felt like you got everything on point, so excited to see more of you! ☺️