"Mr. Robot" of USA Network is a surprise award-winning television hit. The cyber-thriller and drama that incorporates hacking and technology is shown in mind-blowing plots. Rami Malek plays the main character of "Mr. Robot," Elliot Alderson, who works for a cybersecurity company who is also a vigilante hacker on his free time. He and his "FSociety" team are hell bent to bring down the world's largest companies and create financial equality for all.
Elliot is a complex character in "Mr. Robot." His heroic vigilante actions no matter how good the intent has often backlashed on others. For someone who is obsessed of being in control, he has a morphine and Suboxone addiction. He also suffers from mental illnesses.
"Mr. Robot" TV series creator Sam Esmail draws a lot of inspiration for Elliot's character from his personal experiences. Esmail suffers from social anxiety and compulsive disorder and he describes that most people hide it through seclusion and drug abuse.
Esmail also drew anecdotally from friends who had suffered schizophrenia, extreme social anxiety or mild dissociative identity disorder. "Mr. Robot" also has a psychologist as a consultant on board.
Based on what has been revealed in the "Mr. Robot" series, Elliot has a split personality, therefore suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder not schizophrenia. Elliot have diagnosed himself at the start of the series.
"Mr. Robot" has the same case between Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt who was the split personality of The Narrator played by Edward Norton in Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club. Elliot has his dad, which he initially called "Mr. Robot."
Less than 200,000 cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder diagnosed in the US per year. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation stated that the patients with this disorder are encouraged to keep their condition private to avoid being exploited. The disorder is put into the limelight with shows like "Mr. Robot," making more audiences aware of the mental condition.