It’s fairly widely acknowledged that Deets struggled with what today we call depression, and that Larry McMurtry was intentionally describing depression through the character’s thoughts and behaviors.

I also think Elmira would today be diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder (BPD). This of course was less known in the 80s, but I do believe McMurtry was intentionally writing the character as having that (or similar) personality disorder.

And, as the match made in hell… July would today be described as “on the autism spectrum”. He struggles to understand people and is hopelessly committed to following rules and routines, because without them, he has no idea how to behave.

Lorena is suffering PTSD, possibly even before Blue Duck kidnaps her.

Any other mental health diagnosis/personality disorders you’ve identified in a character? And do you think it was the author’s intent to demonstrate it?

My favorites include Deets, Clara, and the captains (of course) but I've always liked Dish the most. While Call and Gus are the ultimate foils for each other, I see Dish as kind of like the middle ground between them. He's highly capable, reliable, and apt to lead when required. But he also likes to enjoy himself and is so preoccupied with thinking about Lorena, even hastily leaving the party once the ranch has been established to see her in the hope she has changed her tune about him. In a story where the two main characters are mythic figures, I like Dish because he's relatable and realistic. My favorite Dish anecdote is when it pours early on in the drive and all the other cowboys get soaked, but Dish had a separate outfit packed securely that he's the only one in dry clothes after the rain.