Sunday, April 1, 2012

Once Upon A Diagnosis...

Walt Disney brought to life hundreds of loveable characters for decades of children and families to enjoy. But dig a little deeper into these creations, and you will find that they are wrought with personality issues, maladjustments, and psychopathological tendencies. And he started out strong, too—as you will see, even the very first cinematic creation of the creative genius is 80 minutes chock full of undiagnosed psychopathologies. It makes us wonder…what was really going on in Disney Studios?

The Queen.
This woman has a serious case of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. According to the DSM-IV, the symptoms of NPD include grandiosity, need for admiration, and a sense of entitlement. The giveaway symptom is the Queen’s Magic Mirror, which she keeps on the wall for the sole purpose of stroking her already ginormous ego (One may argue that she also shows symptoms of delusional schizophrenia with accompanying hallucinations…has anyone else ever communicated with a talking mirror?). These symptoms are a reaction to the underlying sense of inferiority that these individuals possess, and they are usually envious and angry of others who steal the limelight…and we all know how that worked out for her.

Snow White. The leading lady of the film is looking at a diagnosis of severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. After being forced to scrub the palace steps for years and years, she cannot stop herself from cleaning, washing dishes, and making beds for complete strangers the second she steps into a random empty house. She has no regard for safety, personal space, or privacy. Thus, a psychologist may argue that her obsession with cleanliness interferes with her well-being.

Prince Charming.
This dude has a pretty bad case of necrophilia. Usually flowers and a Lord Byron poem suffice at a funeral…someone who tries to make out with the corpse—on a whim, no less—should probably see a shrink. (Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty also has these abnormal impulses…someone should conduct a genealogical history to look for possible genetic tendencies.)

The Dwarfs. As far as these guys go, they all seem to be suffering from some kind of illness (save Sneezy, who just has a bad case of hay fever). While Doc is obviously the most intelligent of the crew, he constantly mixes up his words and syllables, symptoms pointing to some kind of aphasia. It appears, at first, that Sleepy is suffering from insomnia; however, scenes in the movie show him sleeping soundly at night. His excessive drowsiness is therefore likely attributed to sleep apnea—as also symptomized by his violent snoring. Happy seems to be stuck in a constant state of mania, but as the movie doesn’t follow his symptoms for long enough, a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder cannot officially be determined. Poor Bashful is likely suffering from Avoidant Personality Disorder, and Dopey’s mental retardation is yet to be determined as genetic or the effects of severe drug abuse. Nothing much can be said about Grumpy…he’s probably just suffering from PMS.

Disney did such a good job with creating psychologically ill characters, that he just kept the ball rolling in his later films. Case studies include:

Simba. This trouble-maker “deliberately disobeyed” his father, mother, and Zaszu by engaging in reckless endeavors and risky behavior, leading to an indisputable diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. As an adult, Simba suppressed his guilty conscience and feelings about his father, and became defensive when part of his suppressed past came back to his consciousness. Luckily, a swift hit on the head from a crazy monkey did the trick…if only real life worked like that.

Ariel. The Little Mermaid seems to be suffering from a rare, more severe pathology: body dysmorphic disorder. This disorder manifests in preoccupation with some perceived defect in one’s body image. The fact that every other merperson under the sea is perfectly content with remaining finned and scaled, her desire for legs is completely abnormal. Furthermore, most BDD patients will go to extreme lengths to change their “defected” body parts…and what is more extreme than trading your voice box for legs?

Aladdin.
This kleptomaniac Arabian knight is also a pathological liar, going to extremes in order to gain riches, fame, and Princess Jasmine (not that I blame him—she’s by far the hottest princess in Disney cinema. And she has a tiger. Come on).

Beast. His unprecedented episodes of raging anger warrant an Intermittent Explosive Disorder diagnosis. Belle didn’t really do THAT much when she walked into the study…let's be real. The rose was magic, the prince was already a beast, and his servants were talking pieces of furniture. How much more damage could she have really done?

Marlin. This Finding Nemo hero had severe agoraphobia, which he self-treated with extreme exposure therapy. Good for you, Marlin. Good for you.

Pocahontas. My favorite Disney princess could possibly have synesthesia, a neurological disorder that causes one’s senses to cross over each other. Individuals with synesthesia have been known to taste shapes, hear numbers, or, in Pocahontas’s case, see colors of the wind.

Mulan. Boy, does this girl have issues. Gender identity issues, to be exact. Scene 2 of Mulan has the poor girl being pushed and shoved into girly kimonos and obis against her will—epitomizing one of the main symptoms of Gender Identity Disorder from the DSM: “Girls with GID display intense negative reactions to parental expectations or attempts to have them wear dresses or other feminine attire.” She proceeds to wonder when her reflection will show “who she is inside.” And once she starts dressing like a man—voila! No more questions.

Cruella Deville. JPN. Just Plain Nuts.

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