Psychoanalyzing the Hundred Acre Woods

This is actually an archived article that I wrote about the cartoon show Winnie-the-Pooh. The whole article is on rediscovering (and psychoanalyzing) the different characters of the Hundred Acre Wood, including Christopher Robins. I would like to share it here for all the Hub readers.

I found one scholarly article that explained the disorders in the light of professional knowledge with corresponding treatment options (yep, they wanted these characters to be treated! LOL!) . The Canadian Medical Association Journal published in 2000 this article - Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood: a neurodevelopmental perspective on A.A. Milne. The authors (in their honest and professional opinion) believed that:

Winnie the Pooh has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)inattentive subtype, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Tourette's syndrome and even a microcephaly. His natural craving for honey is not so natural anymore, in fact, his obsession towards the food is already a manifestation of an Eating Disorder as evidenced by his body size (cuddly but not healthy).

Other cues that Winnie has an existing eating disorder (obesity type) and a co-morbid diagnosis of OCD, point to his cluttered empty jars of honey in his cave, his constant counting, and episodes of depression.

Another observation that I made about this character is his dress code. Why is he (and even the rest of the animals) not wearing pants? In a post by one blogger he mentioned that this sends unknown subliminal messages to children that may affect the brain psychology in later life.

Piglet clearly demonstrates signs and symptoms of GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

He is always jittery, afraid of Tigger, and jumps at almost everything. His paranoia and irrational delusional fears paralyzes his daily activities in a way that he cannot function effectively. He has his own imaginary creatures (Jaguars and Heffelumps) and his favorite word is "Oh d-d-dear!"

Eeyore has depression characterized by low energy, anhedonia and pessimistic outlook in life. With his droopy eyes, slowed movements, monotone voice and slump posture, these suggest Major Depression and a Borderline Personality Disorder.

This even places the donkey on a 24-hour suicide outlook.

Tigger's behavior is obviously hyperactive. He cannot sit still and his endless curiosity of all things without the sense of danger can lead him to potential accidents. The way he behaves in the Hundred Acre Woods points out to a diagnosis of ADHD.

Well, in my own opinion (and after watching a clip of the cartoon while writing this), I have to say that Tigger is a good example of Mania (not bipolar, because there has been no manifestation of a shift in mood but only constant manic behaviors.)

Roo, a toddler joey, is living in a single-parent household where he is being raised by his overprotective mother, Kanga. There is not one second that Kanga would look for him. It is also believed that both have developed co-dependency which will put Roo at risk for developing Dependent Personality Disorder.

Going back to single-parenthood, we are aware of the consequences this type of family system will have on a child. With no father-figure around, Roo can be easily influenced by peers. In this case, it is Tigger who is not a very good role model.

Owl is casually portrayed as the intellectual and the know-it-all character but psychologists believe that this is a representation of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

In the article the authors have written that Owl is "obviously bright, but dyslexic. His poignant attempts to cover up for his phonological deficits are similar to what we see day in and day out in others so afflicted."

Rabbit demonstrates Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as he is constantly bothered by his carrot arrangements. He would rearrange and rearrange the carrots all day lining it against the wall and then disarrange it again! (toxic!).

He also have a grandiosity personality (though not a delusion) where he has a tendency to be extraordinarily self-important and "his odd belief system that he has a great many relations (many of other species!) and friends. He seems to have an overriding need to organize others, often against their will, into new groupings, with himself always at the top of the reporting structure."

Christopher Robins is the only human being in this cartoon. Psychologists believe that he may have Schizophrenia because he spends too much time in the forest (he clearly lacks parental guidance) and talks to animals who also talk back (isn't this a sign of hallucinations?).

One author even pointed out that Christopher may also have Gender Identity Disorder as "E.H. Shepard's illustrations suggest possible future gender identity issues for this child."

Funny how we are being entertained by animation through the cuteness and the cuddliness of the characters. As a working mother, cartoons are saving grace as they help in the babysitting duties of children. But then again, we have not thought and even considered the psychological ramifications of these shows to the developmental growth of our children.

I may sound too constricted and overly theoretical about this (or maybe too serious) but somehow, there could be a trace of truth to this psychobabble rhetorics. Just for the sake of analyzing the characters, it has been an eye opener indeed. I may even try to "psychologize" Mr. Bean next time.