Abnormal Behavior in “The Little Mermaid” – Exploring Mental Health Themes

QUESTION

The number of reported diagnoses of mental illness in the U.S. is growing with each generation, and the causes for the increase are multifaceted. Many people know of at least one person with a mental disorder, and more people today are vulnerable to developing symptoms of mental illness. When working in the field of psychology, you will interact with people who exhibit symptoms of mental illness or have a clinical disorder, or you might have a family member, friend, or neighbor who is experiencing symptoms. Mass media in America’s culture may depict abnormal behavior as being odd or strange, even laughable. It may also be altogether inaccurately depicted, making the line, at times, between normal and abnormal unrecognizable. Learning to recognize symptoms of mental illness may be essential to your career.

For this assignment, you will have the opportunity to identify symptoms of mental illness and consider cultural influences that determine if the behavior is considered normal or abnormal.

For this assignment, you will write a 2- to 3-page double-spaced expository paper (excluding the title and reference page), exploring a fictional movie character who is displaying abnormal behavior that could be considered indicative of a mental illness. You may choose a character from the movie list below or use another character of your choosing.

Name the movie and describe the character’s general behavior in question.

Identify and describe the symptoms of a mental illness that the character is exhibiting (see DSM–5-TR).

Referring to the DSM–5-TR, the definition of abnormal behavior from the course textbook, and based on your observation of the character’s behavior in the movie, explain why the behavior appears to be abnormal?

Based on the DSM–5-TR, which mental disorder do you believe the character’s symptoms best represent?

Are there any indications that suggest the character may have a different mental disorder other than the one you have listed above? If so, name the alternative disorders that could be a diagnosis and provide your reasoning. If not, explain why you dismissed other possible disorders over your chosen disorder.

Explain what social or cultural influences can make it difficult to identify symptoms of mental disorders. Was the movie’s portrayal of the character convoluted or normalized making the distinction of abnormal behavior from that of normal behavior blurred? For example, was the movie a comedy that joked about the character’s behavior, such as Jim Carrey in Me, Myself, and Irene? Or was addictive behavior normalized? Was behavior downplayed as simply teenage behavior gone “bad?” Was behavior glamorized as a damsel in distress being saved by a hero?

Movie ideas:

A Beautiful Mind
American Beauty
Armageddon
Awakenings
Basketball Diaries – Jim Carrol
Benny and Joon
Black Swan
Borderline
Born on the 4th of July
Cobb
Dirty Filthy Love
Dying to be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story
Fight Club
Finding Nemo – Dory
Girl Interrupted
Good Will Hunting
He Loves Me…He Loves Me Not
Infinitely Polar Bear
Iron Man
Lila & Eve
Love & Mercy
Lust for Life
Mean Girls
Melancholia
Monster
Misery
Jones
Numb
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Perfect Body
Play Misty for Me
Psycho
Shrek
Silver Linings Playbook
Still Alice
Sybil
The Aviator
The Breakfast Club
The Deer Hunter
The Hours
The Little Mermaid – Ariel
The Three Faces of Eve
The Notebook
The Royal Tenenbaums
Young Adults
What About Bob?
Wristcutters
28 Days

ANSWER

Abnormal Behavior in “The Little Mermaid” – Exploring Mental Health Themes

Introduction

“The Little Mermaid” is a beloved Disney animated film that captures the imagination of audiences with its enchanting story and memorable characters. One character, Ariel, exhibits behaviors that could be considered indicative of a mental illness. This expository paper aims to explore Ariel’s general behavior, identify and describe the symptoms of a mental illness she displays, and discuss the social and cultural influences that may make it difficult to identify these symptoms.

I. Character Description: Ariel from “The Little Mermaid”

Ariel is a young and curious mermaid who dreams of exploring the human world. She displays behavior that deviates from the norm within her underwater society. She exhibits excessive fascination with the human world, constantly collecting human artifacts and longing to be part of that world. Ariel frequently disobeys her father, King Triton, and risks her own safety to pursue her desires.

II. Symptoms of Mental Illness

Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition – Text Revision (DSM–5-TR), Ariel displays symptoms that align with several mental health conditions:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Ariel’s persistent preoccupation with the human world, collecting human artifacts, and an overwhelming desire to be part of that world indicate obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Adjustment Disorder: Ariel’s persistent rebellious behavior and defiance towards her father’s rules can be seen as a reaction to a significant life change (her desire to explore the human world), suggesting symptoms of an adjustment disorder.

III. Abnormal Behavior and Diagnosis

Ariel’s behavior appears abnormal based on the DSM–5-TR’s definition, which emphasizes behavior that deviates from societal norms, causes distress or impairment, and is not culturally or socially sanctioned. Her intense preoccupation with the human world and defiance of her father’s rules suggest a significant departure from typical mermaid behavior.

Considering Ariel’s symptoms, the mental disorder that best aligns with her behavior is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Her obsession with the human world, compulsive collecting of human artifacts, and extreme desire to be part of that world reflect the characteristic features of OCD.

IV. Alternative Diagnoses and Reasoning

While OCD appears to be the primary diagnosis, other mental disorders could be considered based on Ariel’s behavior. For instance, Ariel’s persistent rebelliousness and defiance towards authority figures, including her father, might indicate Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). However, the symptoms associated with OCD are more prominent in Ariel’s case, making it the most suitable diagnosis.

V. Social and Cultural Influences on Identifying Symptoms

Social and cultural influences can make it challenging to identify symptoms of mental disorders, particularly in a fictional movie context. In “The Little Mermaid,” Ariel’s behavior may be normalized or even glamorized. Her desire to explore the human world is portrayed as an innocent longing for adventure, rather than a potential manifestation of a mental health issue. The movie’s focus on her love story and the ultimate triumph of true love’s kiss may overshadow the examination of her underlying psychological struggles.

Conclusion

“The Little Mermaid” presents Ariel as a character displaying abnormal behavior that aligns with symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Ariel’s obsession with the human world and her compulsive collecting of human artifacts provide insights into the manifestation of this disorder. However, the social and cultural influences portrayed in the movie may overshadow the recognition of Ariel’s mental health struggles, presenting her behavior as a romantic longing for adventure rather than an indication of potential psychological challenges. This analysis emphasizes the importance of considering mental health themes in popular media and the need to differentiate between normal and abnormal behavior to promote greater awareness and understanding of mental disorders.