Saturday, December 13, 2008

Pooh Psychological Disorders



Today I was watching the Winnie the Pooh Christmas special, and I couldn't stop thinking about something I heard about in college: Characters in Winnie the Pooh each exhibit some sort of psychological disorder.

Now, I don't suspect that the book and series was created with this idea in mind, but when psychologically analyzing each character, I do think that each one clearly has a disorder that can be diagnosed based on their behaviors.

This was apparent when I was watching the special today. They are each so quirky and odd in their own way. That's what makes them so popular. They're great characters. But this can come along with a little analyzation.

Psychologists with the Canadian Medical Association wrote an interesting piece which can be read at this website. Their findings are extremely interesting to check out.

This website also offers links to other websites and articles on the topic.

Here is what I found from these websites:

Christopher Robin: Since Christopher Robin creates all of these characters in his mind, these characters represent feelings he is experiencing in his internal world. As a child, he is learning how to socially function and interact with the external world. Each character could represent a different reaction or feeling within himself as he learns to cope and deal with that extra world. The essay by Alan Bennett, from a website above, writes, "These different feeling states, the positions of the developing ego/self come to represent the characters, or, I should say that the 'Winnie-the-Pooh' characters come to represent the positions of the self in Christopher Robin." I almost think he might be schizophrenic if he actually takes on these personas. Either that or they represent parts of himself.

Winnie the Pooh: The Canadian Medical Association's article identified him with these disorders based on the following behaviors:

-ADHD: the inattentive subtype.
-Impulsivity and obsessive fixations on honey. (also obesity)
-OCD: Repetitive counting. OCD mixed with ADHD could eventually contribute to tourettes syndrome later on in life.

Piglet: Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He also has a speech imediment with his stuttering problem. Pooh and Piglet also have significant self-esteem injury.

Owl: Dyslexic, but extremely bright.

Tigger: ADHD. He cannot control his hyperactivity. He even will try anything that comes along his path which concerns psychologist with substance abuse problems. He is impulsive, a bad role model, a social magnet but those drawn into him will get themselves into trouble.

Kanga: The overprotective mother, obsessed with controlling her young.

Rabbit: OCD--he over-organzies and is obsessive with order. To me, for a male character, he is very feminine. Not that this is a disorder, it is just interesting to look at when analyzing his character.

Eeore: Depression, the most obvious. He needs some medication to brighten up his day.

All of these characters are male, with the exception of Kanga. I wonder why that is...?

Did I miss anything here or with other smaller characters within the show? Perhaps more or different diagnosis would make more sense.

What do you think of the psychological states of Winnie the Pooh characters?

106 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm doing the same Pooh project now in college! Thank you for this post! It helps!
Sarah, IN

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks a lot! I'm doing this in school at the moment and this was a tremendous help!!!

Anonymous said...

For Christopher Robin, I think you meant dissociative identity disorder which is often confused with schizophrenia. The first is known as multiple personality disorder while the latter is characterized for hallucinations, paranoia, impairment of speech and thinking, etc.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone,

I very much enjoy this site, I'll be back soon!
What do you think about my theories regarding hypnotherapy!

Anonymous said...

As a clinical professional, i believe that Eeyore is dysthymic, which is a longstanding low level depression.

Anonymous said...

Winnie-the-Pooh is also based on Islam. Cristopher Robin is portrayed as Allah and the Owl as a prophet. Pooh and the others follow the Five Pillars of Islam. It can be seen throughout the series.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

For Chritopher Robin I believe it could be a subset of multiple personality disorder.

Anonymous said...

you forgot all about Roo!

Anonymous said...

I don't think it is Multiple Personality Disorder(aka DID) for Christopher Robin since the characters are not shown as personalities inside Christopher Robin. I do agree on Schizophrenia, he believes that the stuffed animals talk to him- hallucinations
John, Philippines

Anonymous said...

Very interesting post. Another minor character would be Gopher. Funny what you said about Rabbit; when I was younger I always viewed him as male, but now he seems increasingly female. About Christopher Robin, it's not unusual for a boy to play pretend; I would be concerned if he *didn't* make up characters.

Unknown said...

For Eeore you say that he needs medication to brighten up his day. As a person suffering from depression I find it a bit insulting that you say this easily. It's like the treatment of ADHD, medication is given far too fast, a quick fix. It's a mental disorder, something that can be helped without medication.

Anonymous said...

pooh has an addictive personality and is likely alchoholic he constantly has honey and is often seen drinking it

Anonymous said...

I always thought of Owl as the psychiatrist of the cast.

Anonymous said...

I would say that Tigger has Mania more than ADHD. He's constantly high. He is a terrible role model and he is impulsive. Not to mention he'd set goals, but never actually complete them.

Anonymous said...

pooh is an addict

Ezekiel Silverstein said...

Kanga represents Christopher Robin's mother. Kanga is the only girl in Pooh's life, as Christopher Robin's mother is the only girl in his life. And Kanga's motherly personality corresponds with his mother

Anonymous said...

poop

Anonymous said...

There is one more character; Roo who is Kangas son

Jr. said...

kanga is also a single mother and Roo a fatherless "bastard" child. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with either, but just an interesting thing to note. Also, Owl is a condescending know-it-all, and like people have mentioned before, Pooh possesses addictive tendencies, and may be mentally retarded, i.e. some sort of highly functioning autism or extremely low IQ.

Anonymous said...

Tigger's actions smack of narcissism. Pooh is an addict, so much so that he fantasizes about his substance while detatching from reality.

Anonymous said...

you know Pooh's 'real' story...but have you read the true story of Rugrats? try reading this. it's also a good case for Psychology majors ;)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110312155513AAjgiDo

(read the 'best answer' part)

Anonymous said...

Pooh also demonstrates disordered eating, eating only honey

Anonymous said...

And i thought piglet was also female character... amongst with the mother of the roo.

Anonymous said...

Kanga allows Roo too go on adventures with Tigger, and she doesn't show too much anxiety about his safety, or about anything else. I think she is well-adjusted and an excellent mother.

I think rabbit is more likely to have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder than OCD. He doesn't have one or a few isolated rituals. He has a rigid lifestyle and approaches every task with a detailed plan.

Owl is haughty, grandiose, and his obliviousness to the boredom of other characters when he tells his stories indicates a lack of empathy. He has narcissistic traits, but I don't think he qualifies for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder.

All of Pooh's thoughts go back to honey. Whenever he starts to make a chain of thoughts, it invariably ends with honey. He must have some kind of thought disorder.

Pooh is always calm. When he first met Tigger, a normal person would have freaked out, but Pooh showed no fear at all. He never shows anxiety. This is certainly abnormal.

My guess is Pooh sustained brain damage falling out of a tree, limiting his ability to think and feel.

Anonymous said...

You forgot about Gopher; he has an impulse control disorder. He can't resist blowing things up, which in return causes harm or danger to both him and those around him. A good example of this would be like a pyromaniac.

Anonymous said...

It should be noted that gopher was actually added later when Disney bought the movie, so unless its immediately clear that a disorder could be associated with him I wouldn't try to stretch it too far. I can see the original author giving these characters their traits to keep them separate and original.

Anonymous said...

Tigger has severe ADHD, Piglet has anxiety, Rabbit is a pedantic loner, Owl has OCD, Eore has extreme depression, while Pooh represents an addict. Maybe Christopher has schizophrenia? he imagines all these animals.

Anonymous said...

the reason why i look up the psych disorders in winnie the pooh's character was because a patient mentioned it to me last week, i was amazed about it... i grow up watching it and i love eeyore so much. it's really interesting though.
for christorpher robin, he is still kid it normal for them to create their own world and story as long as they know which is reality and which is not. in the story sometimes christopher robin was called by his mom and go back to reality... and there are times that christopher robins is not around that's because he is in school or maybe playing with other kids. my point is christopher robins is normal kid, he is not dissociative or having personality disorder.
just like in puff the magic dragon, the kid grows up and stopped visiting the dragon or the world that he created when he was a kid. it's like when we grow up we stopped believing fairy tales, santa clause because we know that they are not true...

Anonymous said...

Hahahahahaha

Anonymous said...

Pooh has an eating disorder and the books were made like that on purpose because tha actual Chriatopher Robin was retarded and pooh was a gift.

Anonymous said...

what about Roo?

Anonymous said...

interesting how adults like to take children stories and turn them into adult things, why not just let the kids enjoy the characters and what they do?

Anonymous said...

I thought Owl represents a pathological liar.

Anonymous said...

I thought Owl represents a pathological liar.

Anonymous said...

its a kids show i can see how it may seem that way but seriously let it be....it doesnt mean a thing let kids be kids and let them watch winnie the pooh if you keep doing this they are not going to let kids watch it just like they are trying to get kids to stop watching barnie let them have imagination and let it be...

Anonymous said...

I guess.

Anonymous said...

You just ruined my childhood for me :'( thanks.....

Holstead said...

I thought Owl represents a pathological liar.

Kwame said...

In other cases, investors have to run a Windows emulator on the Mac, such as 'Parallels'. Jack Bosch has revealed where to find the best investment property just for you at www.landforpennies.com. Gold Investment in India :. India Bullion is resources of Gold Prices India, Silver. Gold investment essentially. from bonds originally issued by the. e gold. e gold is the only tangibly backed, worldwide electronic monetary/payments system. e gold is 100% backed by physical gold (silver, platinum, palladium).

Anonymous said...

The truth here is so simple that psychology is needed to complicate it, for some reason.

Anonymous said...

I think Pooh actually has Asperger's Syndrome. He's spacey, and he doesn't understand figurative language very well, and everyone always has to explain to him what's going on.

Also, I think the reason that most of the Whinnie the Pooh characters are boys is that Christopher Robin is a boy. Boy's make all their stuffed animals boys as children, and girls make all of theirs girls. Kanga is a girl only because she has to be in order for her to be Roo's mom. I'm a girl, and I know it wasn't untill I was nine or ten that I began making any of my stuffed animals be boys.

Anonymous said...

It's awesome to pay a quick visit this site and reading the views of all mates on the topic of this paragraph, while I am also eager of getting know-how.

Also visit my weblog: payday loans

Anonymous said...

ӏ was verу hapрy to diѕcover this great site.
I wanted to thanκ you for yоuг time duе to this fantastic rеad!

! I definitеly loved everу bіt of іt and I have you ѕаvеd tо fav
to check out new stuff on your site.

my homeρаge payday loans no credit check

Anonymous said...

Ηеllo! I coulԁ hаvе sωoгn I've visited this blog before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it's new to
me. Anyhow, I'm certainly happy I came across it and I'll be
booκmагκіng іt аnԁ checkіng back regularly!


Vіsit my blоg - quick loans

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I've truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

Also visit my webpage :: crise d�angoisse

Anonymous said...

If some οne wants to be updаteԁ with mοst up-tο-date technolοgies then
he must be pay а quicκ visit this ѕite and bе up tο ԁate eveгy daу.


Takе a look at my page: small loans

Anonymous said...

Hi, Neat post. There's an issue with your site in internet explorer, might check this? IE still is the market chief and a huge portion of people will leave out your excellent writing due to this problem.

Check out my web blog bonheur

Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog! Do you have any hints for
aspiring writers? I'm hoping to start my own blog soon but I'm a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like Wordpress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I'm totally confused .. Any ideas? Many thanks!

Here is my homepage ... la depression

Anonymous said...

Hello there, sіmply was awaгe of your blοg through Goοgle, anԁ located that it is
truly іnformative. I'm gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful in the event you proceed this in future. A lot of other folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

Feel free to surf to my web blog: payday loans

Anonymous said...

Veгy quicκlу this web site will
bе famous among all blog users, due to it's good posts

Here is my site; payday loans

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article. I wanted to write
a little comment to support you.

Take a look at my weblog see here now

Anonymous said...

We stumbled over here from a different page and thought I may as
well check things out. I like what I see
so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page yet
again.

Here is my blog post :: informative post

Anonymous said...

Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment
(it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your
blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I'd genuinely appreciate it.


Here is my weblog; find out

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was searching for, what a information! present here at this blog, thanks admin of this website.

Also visit my blog; hop over to this site

Anonymous said...

You need to take part in a contest for one
of the best sites on the web. I will recommend this
website!

my web site; navigate here

Anonymous said...

I read this piece of writing fully on the topic of
the resemblance of latest and preceding technologies,
it's amazing article.

Stop by my blog post ... my sources

Anonymous said...

Hi there colleagues, nice paragraph and nice arguments commented at
this place, I am really enjoying by these.

Also visit my site; top atlanta seo company

Anonymous said...

It's an awesome article for all the web visitors; they will get benefit from it I am sure.

Look at my webpage ... top atlanta seo company

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I'm impressed! Very useful info particularly the closing section :) I care for such info much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.

Feel free to visit my website ... her comment is here

Anonymous said...

Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a weblog site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided bright transparent concept

Here is my page :: top appliance repair clearwater

Anonymous said...

I was very pleased to find this great site. I wanted to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!

! I definitely really liked every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new stuff
in your blog.

Also visit my page ... roof repair

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return the favor”.
I'm trying to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

Review my homepage; appliance repair clearwater

Anonymous said...

Sρot on wіth thіs ωrite-up, I sеrіously think thіs site neeԁs a great dеаl more аttеntion.
Ӏ'll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the info!

My weblog payday loans

Anonymous said...

Yes! Finally something about internet marketing
consulting.

Look into my blog: social security administration

Anonymous said...

It's actually a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

my blog ... Bench Craft Company advertising ideas for daycares

Anonymous said...

What's up, I check your new stuff like every week. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep it up!

Feel free to surf to my web page: video marketing

Anonymous said...

Useful information. Fortunate me I found your site by accident, and I am surprised why
this coincidence did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.


My website ... Bench Craft Company advertising ideas farmington nm

Anonymous said...

Peculiar article, just what I wanted to find.

My web blog ... your target audience

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it ;) I may return yet again since I bookmarked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be
rich and continue to guide other people.

Take a look at my web page ... twitter marketing

Anonymous said...

I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really pleasant article on building up new
web site.

Stop by my weblog ... Bench Craft Company advertising agencies san francisco

Anonymous said...

Hi there! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

Here is my web-site ... dishwahser & appliance repair Valrico

Anonymous said...

Sweet blog! I found it while searching on
Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it

Look into my webpage ... appliance repair Temple Terrance

Anonymous said...

Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.

Any recommendations?

Also visit my page ... washer and dryer appliance repair Riverview

Anonymous said...

Quality content is the crucial to interest the users to pay a
visit the website, that's what this site is providing.

my site work from home

Anonymous said...

Quality posts is the crucial to attract the visitors to go to
see the web page, that's what this web site is providing.

My page ... free estimate for appliance repair Tampa Florida

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?

My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

Here is my weblog - appliance repair Dunedin FL free estimates FL

Anonymous said...

If you are goіng for finest contents lіke mе,
οnly pay a viѕit this web рage everydaу
since it proviԁes feature contents, thanks

Also vіsit mу blog :: Same Day Payday Loans

Anonymous said...

Post writing is also a fun, if you know after that you can write or else it is complicated
to write.

Here is my webpage - skelanimals

Anonymous said...

I have leаrn some ϳust right stuff here. Definіtеlу prісe bookmarking
for revisiting. I surprіsе how ѕo muсh effort you put
to creatе the ѕort of wonderful infοгmаtive websitе.


Feel free to visit mу weblog; New Bingo Sites

Anonymous said...

These are truly enormous ideas in on the topic of
blogging. You have touched some good points here.

Any way keep up wrinting.

Check out my web site; smart circle directv coupons

Anonymous said...

Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more attention.
I'll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the info!

Here is my web-site :: Bench Craft Company advertising on facebook apps

Anonymous said...

Hi colleagues, fastidious piece of writing and good arguments
commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.

Feel free to surf to my blog ... Bench Craft Company advertising ideas for small business

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my blog so i came
to return the desire?.I am attempting to in finding issues to enhance my
site!I assume its good enough to make use of some of your ideas!
!

Check out my web blog: network marketing vt review

Anonymous said...

Hello to every one, the contents present at this web site are genuinely awesome for
people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.

My web-site :: international merchant services

Anonymous said...

It's not my first time to visit this website, i am browsing this web page dailly and take pleasant facts from here all the time.

Also visit my web site - smart circle directv reviews

Anonymous said...

My spouse and I absolutely love your blog
and find the majority of your post's to be just what I'm looking
for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case?

I wouldn't mind publishing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome site!

Here is my website :: traditional advertising

Anonymous said...

Useful info. Lucky me I discovered your web site unintentionally, and I'm shocked why this coincidence didn't came about earlier!
I bookmarked it.

my web page - internet marketing

Anonymous said...

Hello there, I discovered your blog by means of Google even as looking for a related topic, your website came up, it seems to be good.
I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just become alert to your weblog thru Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful should you continue this in future. A lot of other people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

Here is my homepage torrent suv

Anonymous said...

wonderful submit, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of
this sector don't realize this. You should proceed your writing. I'm sure, you have a huge readers' base already!

Feel free to surf to my page: smart circle directv braves

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog
and wished to mention that I've truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed and I hope you write again soon!

my website: florida no fault auto insurance

Anonymous said...

Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious thinking,
paragraph is nice, thats why i have read it completely

Feel free to visit my web page: nevada lemon law

Anonymous said...

Magnificent web site. Plenty of useful info here.
I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.

And certainly, thank you to your sweat!

Here is my web site smart circle directv coupons

Anonymous said...

It's a pity you don't have a donate button!
I'd without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google
account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website
with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

My website - drug and alcohol treatment centers

Anonymous said...

This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am really impressed to read
all at single place.

my weblog: smart circle directv

Anonymous said...

I loved as much as you will receive carried
out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material
stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you
wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably
come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.


Look into my page - smart circle directv braves

Anonymous said...

It's going to be ending of mine day, except before ending I am reading this enormous post to increase my know-how.

Stop by my website ... smart circle directv coupons

Anonymous said...

I visited several sites however the audio feature for audio songs existing at this web
page is really superb.

Take a look at my web site ... home loan equity mortgage rate

Anonymous said...

Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine
Optimization? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very
good results. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

Feel free to surf to my site ohio home loans

Anonymous said...

What's up colleagues, its wonderful piece of writing on the topic of tutoringand completely explained, keep it up all the time.

My web-site; Bench Craft Company advertising agencies in atlanta area

Anonymous said...

I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!



my blog :: smart circle directv coupons

P.W. said...

This is so dumb! The fact that somebody actually over analyzes animated children's movie characters like this is a reflection of our culture, where psychologists/ psychiatrists feel the need to label everybody with a mental illness. Perhaps they have a little bit of OCD of their own.

yanmaneee said...

kobe basketball shoes
longchamp bags
adidas superstar
lebron 17
nike air max 270
nike air max 270
vans shoes
curry 6 shoes
yeezy
jordan shoes

yanmaneee said...

michael kors purses
goyard
yeezy
balenciaga sneakers
nike air max 270
curry 7 shoes
hermes handbags
golden goose
nike foamposite
cheap jordans

Unknown said...

official source look these up my website see this here useful site Learn More Here

Anonymous said...

kyrie 6
off white
steph curry shoes
golden goose sneakers
kd13