", Elsa from Frozen is the sister with the magical powers. No? And if this were IRL, he would probably be locked up in prison for preying on teenagers, rather than actually marrying them later on. 20 Problematic Fictional Characters from Famous Movies & TV Shows His misanthropic personality, which seems exempt from social graces, is comprised of inappropriate emotional responses and forces him to avoid social situations, which is accuratelyindicative of a number of personality disorders, including narcissistic personality disorder. Among the problematic fictional characters weve listed so far, this dude is basically the epitome of white male privilege. Think again. So it's not until we see her full empire of secret garbage that we know she has a serious problem. The short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" also deals with the suicidal thoughts of a man trying to live a normal life after traumatic events, and the story "For Esme" parallels his own traumatic experiences in the military (it was published only five years after Salinger was hospitalized in Germany for his nervous breakdown). The Diagnosis: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), What Is ADHD? Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of mental health conditions, violence, and suicide. Do you have an idea in mind that would make a great article? The forums had slightly different perspective tendencies. We must convince them that a willingness to being vulnerable by trusting another will lead to something deeper and more meaningful than they ever imagined. Here we examine how attachment relates to different ways of engaging with fictional characters, including two forms of character engagement previously unstudied in this context and considering important controls. From giving up her voice just to be with someone she hasnt met, to trying to trick him so theyd live happily ever after; these are just the tip of the iceberg. And most telling is that Holmes' talents are coupled with an inability to interact socially with anyone but Watson. But Belle didn't need to be kidnapped to develop a mental disorder; she comes firing out of the gates with one already fully developed: schizoid personality disorder. Alice from Alice in Wonderland clearly suffers from schizophrenia. All the characters we used to love but now, we realise theyre kinda awful Be part of Asia's most authentic travel community. He doesn't really pay attention to the fact that his restless behavior may actually be annoying to his friends. Check out the most narcissistic superheroes. Have you seen the way he treats his girlfriend, Sloane, and his supposed best friend, Cameron? In reality, it was a primitive way to diagnose the thousands of mental breakdowns following conflict that we now call PTSD. Cartoons have always included characters suffering from psychological problems, like how Winnie the Pooh represents mental illnesses. Web Design by Viva la Violette. Some of you have already heard of this, but for the benefit of those who havent: Janis is the real villain, not Regina George. Psychologists would recognize that desire to be at the center of attention at all times -- the disorder means a person's self-esteem "depends on the approval of others and does not arise from a true feeling of self-worth." Most notable among them are a quick temper, a willingness to show a little skin to get what she wants and a cutthroat determination, regardless of who gets hurt. She gad no regard for her staff's feelings, was willing to screw them over to benefit herself and even used her friends' past trauma against them. While some of these symptoms could just as easily stem from depression, it's important to also point out that J.D. Copyright 2023 Inspire Portal. Who invites three men (none of whom she has ever met) to her wedding, just because one of them could be her biological dad? Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. We made them that way. That lack of empathy manifests itself right from the start, when Scarlett tries to seduce the engaged Ashley Wilkes, fails, and then seduces his brother instead out of spite. His crushingly omnipresent sadness threatens to derail every social victory he attains for himself and will consume him if he doesn't find ways to maintain equilibrium despite innumerable triggers. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors and psychologists around the world. A film buff, she has a Western collection of 250+ titles and counting that she's particularly proud of. You character will probably never be able to trust others, even when people get close to her. On a different note, weve also previously written about movies and TV shows whose characters arent such lost causes. Based somewhat on Pete Davidson's life in the wake of losing his father,The King of Staten Islandfinds the comedian portraying Scott, a young man with a history of mental illness, trying to adjust to the death of his father (who lost his life serving as a firefighterduring the September 11th attacks) who also suffered from the same. These tortured creatures were Munchkins once. Throughout The Wizard of Oz, Glinda never gives any reason for murdering the witches other than that they're ugly and different and therefore -- according to good ole-fashioned Dust Bowl logic -- completely evil. Because while we know our characters have this deep need to belong, we also know they are deeply damaged. If you know someone with Asperger's, you're well familiar with this habit. Eventually, Benny invites Sam (Johnny Depp) into their household at his sister's request and watches her flourish interacting with the eccentric artist. This need for domination, coupled with Scar's APD, led to the brutal killing of Mufasa. And while those traits would win her a lot of competitive reality shows, they are also the definite symptoms of antisocial and histrionic personality disorders. Application of Developmental Theories to Fictional Character - UKEssays.com No list of fiction's toxic families would be complete without the Wormwoods. Two new books will soon join these: The Urban and Rural Thesaurus volumes, which help writers write stronger, more vivid imagery by profiling 225 Fictional settings and the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures associated with each. Can we talk about how her being the supposed smart girl barely even manifested, save for her wearing a lab coat in the first movie and getting into Stanford in the finale? Cam spends the 18 months of her master's program coming to terms with his bipolar diagnosis and raising their two daughters. Cartoons are a fond childhood memoryuntil you really start to think about some of the animated heroes and villains. And stop by LinkSTORM to earn you degree in Fictional Character Psychology. 5 Moral Dilemmas That Make Characters (& Stories) Better You know, if they weren't busy digging bullets out of Confederates and calming night terrors. The same is true for mental disorders in movies. He literally attempts to rape Jenny in the first episode and it's never addressed again. Eowyn from the Lord of the Rings Series. And, sure enough, one of the main side effects of disposophobia is obsessing over the collection at the expense of daily obligations. But while were all for character development, none of his misdeeds was ever really addressed. This war talk's spoiling all the fun at every party this spring. Uhm, sure, I guess if you dont factor in that he knew she was a high school student from the very start and went through with their relationship anyway. The worst example is Frank Kennedy, her sister's fiance, whom she tricks into marriage only because she needs him to pay the taxes on her plantation. She seemed oblivious to the fact that he only wanted her as a submissive despite him telling her countless times. The perceived dramatic nature of a mental illness has notoriously meant it's too often conveyed as a means to broadcast sentimentality or sensationalism. Now keep that in mind when you watch the vague, detached, smirking expression on Glinda's face throughout the string of tragedies that open the film. Through therapy and reassessment, she's able to take her mental health seriously. Getty "Holmes, stop looking through my stuff for clues. He's supposed to be the rebel and the hero, but spends about 75% of the movie repeatedly sexually harassing Claire, almost to the point of assault when he puts his face between her legs without her knowledge or consent. And this is it gets tricky. Presumably, their concerts were strictly dance-free. At first, he might seem like that really funny and cool guy that youd love to be friends with. You cant have intimacy without vulnerability. The reality of substance abuse is brought to life every day with many movies and television shows portraying characters who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. He disrespects Native American culture in one episode, lies about being Jewish to attend a basketball in another and sold swimsuit photos of underage girls. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter Series. By fate or coincidence, when Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig) decides to quit her medications cold turkey, she cashes in a winning lottery ticket. Unlike other teen movies featuring the polar extremes of bursting out into song or chronic drug addiction, ThePerks of Being a Wallflowerfocuses ona boy named CharlieKelmeckis (Logan Lerman) who's just trying to get through his teenage years while dealing with the overwhelming PTSD and anxiety that comes with trauma. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.". Belle is pursued throughout the film by Gaston, who wants to marry her, and while her staunch refusal to entertain any of his advances only because he is handsome seems admirable, she is more likely exemplifying the quintessential behavior of someone who has no interest in sex at all. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. Wait, are these thing humans as well? In that respect,Lars and the Real Girlput a positive emphasis on Lars' way of life by exploring how much it has helped his community confront their own biases. You can create an infograpic and you could be on the front page of Cracked.com tomorrow! "Not when we've put so much effort into prying them off her cold dead feet!". In the beginning of the film, while the men's conversation changes from her to the war, she says, "War, war, war. Follow the BuzzFeed Community on. Yikes, that doesnt sound good does it? Wikipedia "You're just tired, J.D. Phobias and fears. She literally needs constant praise, or as Rhett Butler puts it, she "needs to be kissed often." His struggles are both real, relatable, and inspiringbecauseof his mental illness, not in spite of it. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Schizophrenia "is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others." Symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. Not only was Edward a creepy stalker (pre-dating Bella), but he was also clingy with zero boundaries (once they were together). Finding inspiration, offering, and encouraging it through creative, and healing practices, ancient wisdom, and modern techniques, to fuel your writing, art, and life. Are there any other problematic fictional characters that you believe should be on this list? When Joy and Sadness get pulled to the furthest reaches of Riley's subconscious, Anger, Fear, and Disgust assume control. For instance, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders suggests that sufferers are amused by the emotional turmoil of others. When readers read fiction, they know they are encountering human-constructed characters, settings, and situations. In the following infographic, the team at Withdrawal.net looks at 31 of the most prominent fictional characters who are remembered for their addictions that resulted in some major consequences. She is completely engrossed with being the most beautiful person in the kingdom. , Dialogue is an excellent way to show vulnerability in snippets, and allows us to show as well, so many subscribe to show DONT tell, but show AND tell can open a very personal door between characters, and encourage empathy on the story level and reading level. Yep, never mind the fact that the father shes trying to avenge was a tyrant who, frankly, had it coming. You guys, he literally threatened to kill himself if Allie doesnt go on a date with him. These characters show the realities of living with them in sensitive and illuminating portrayals. Doing No Harm: A Look at Writing Suicide and Self-Harm in Fiction The guy wanted to possess his girlfriend and control every aspect of her life. 5. Lets keep this short and simple: there was totally enough space for both her and Jack on that floating door. ", "Care for a 70th rendition of 'Baa Baa Black Sheep,' my dear Watson?". 14 Cartoon Characters That Actually Suffer From Mental Disorders - Ranker She is unable to control her emotions, which resulted in her hurting her younger sibling when they were children. She burns her way through three marriages over the course of a few years, sticking with each man only until he wears out his usefulness. She ends up befriending and falling in love with a beast before she knows he's secretly a human prince under a spell. . No, really. So if Love and Belonging drives us, it must motivate our characters as well (especially in Romances!). Carrie Mathison (Homeland) Carrie Mathison lives with bipolar disorder while being a top notch agent for the CIA. The public was gripped by the life of the Nobel Prize winner, who suddenly came to the horrific realization that many of the locations, events, and people that characterized his life never actually existed. It's a compulsion. Sure, the show presented her as a sympathetic underdog for a long time. Is she going to eat them? And you know what, we're going to give the main character, Ariel, a pass on all that. He was jealous and possessive to the point where he destroyed his relationship with Rachel, and made her choose between him and a career he never supported in the end. Shes in total denial about her manipulative behaviour and unfortunately, she wasnt a good friend either! Then The Dude arrived and ensured that it wasnt just another caucasian, Gary. How Empathy With Fictional Characters Undermines Moral Self-Trust He and his military father often lock horns over trust issues. Blunt - Characterised by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion. RELATED:10 Best Movies Based on Young Adult Novels. Following World War II, Salinger was diagnosed with "battle fatigue," which sounds much milder than PTSD (and in fact sounds like it could be cleared up with a quick nap). schoolworkhelper If Catcher had been written today, Holden would be nursing a Pabst in this picture. That need to demean people in the presence of others is a primary symptom of sadistic personality disorder, and Glinda's unwavering enjoyment throughout the ordeal is a testament to her sickness. Scar shows no remorse for what he does. Want to be featured in similar posts? PTSD causes that kind of persistent emotional numbing, which would explain his distance from the experience. Growing up and watching it again made me realise how much of a twat he was. People have common worries and fears. We have to let someone get close enough to see the real, authentic us. Symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. I wouldnt be surprised. Jack Nicholson's character inAs Good as It Gets(for whichNicholsonwon the Academy Award for Best Actor),who wears gloves in public and won't step on cracks in the sidewalk,is so much more than an eccentric New Yorker. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. It's true that the disorder wouldn't be recognized until 70 years after Doyle invented the character. Trust and bonding issues. Andy Serkis is not an animal! Give important characters a backstory. 6 Things to Consider When Writing a Depressed Character Press | Send us your Press Releases & Media Invites. No solutions to the Grapes' problems are easy or applicable, and the movie handles the stigma about mental illness and obesity with raw integrity by acknowledging the necessity of strong familial bonds. Writers note: I made it a point not to include living characters from movies with potential sequels and currently running TV shows! Nash emerged victorious over the paranoid delusions brought on by his schizophrenia by acknowledging that though they were there, they would not rule his life. I appreciated that the characters, while based on fictional characters, were still familiar. She's never open-minded enough to consider other people's view points and the show tries to spin it to make her look like the victim. Ellen discovers ways to confront her deep-seated anxieties and embrace self-acceptance. Sorry for the late responseI had responded when this came up, but I think the Internet must have eaten it. Or, as the Yale Child Study Center puts it, Asperger's sufferers show "a narrow range of capacities for memorizing lists or trivial information, calendar calculation, visual-spatial skills such as drawing, or musical skills involving a perfect pitch or playing a piece of music after hearing it only once. Somehow, gum made out of tree bark is still softer than Bazooka. So if Love and Belonging drives us, it must motivate our characters as well (especially in Romances!) Dont think that Elsa had some serious depression? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Schizophrenia "is a serious mental illness that interferes with a persons ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others." Even when the other person feels close and for them everything is fine, she'll feel like a thin, invisible wall is stuck between them. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior.". Protecting Fictional Characters Under U.S. Copyright Law | Nolo I get that she was supposed to be the main character, but damn she was the worst friend in the history of TV shows, and SO selfish. As much as were all for flawed yet complex characters, there just arent enough reasons to excuse Rorys terrible behaviour. He or she may also be restless and almost constantly active.". She was incredibly entitled and self-centred. Granted, nobody in the show was actually a good person and despite their impeccable taste and style they all had more issues than Vogue. Discussions of fictophilia were generally initiated by people experiencing love, desire, or deep attachment to a fictional character and often wanting to discuss whether it was 'normal' or 'healthy,' or searching for others like them. Not gonna lie, he was arguably the best-looking male love interest in the show. Build in several smaller moments that lead up to bigger ones and the willingness to enter a vulnerable state to trust will seem authentic to readers. Want more pop-culture disorders? Being in a relationship with her will always hurt her partner or friend in the long run . It then makes you wonder how these crowd faves have gotten away with it for so long; but hey, lets chalk it up to not knowing any better back then. In fact, The Catcher in the Rye wasn't Salinger's only attempt to write about the disorder. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes it can be a powerful way to find out what the characters are really feeling, and in turn how to move the story forward, building from that place. Filed Under: Filed Under: Create, Storytelling, The Boat, Write, Writing 6 Comments. Women the world over have cited her as a role model and one of the most prominent feminist icons of all time. So, dont expect this list to include characters who are already deemed antiheroes or villains, to begin with. A key symptom includes, "Avoiding work, social, or school activities for fear of criticism or rejection. He gets entrusted to his younger brother Charlie (Tom Cruise) after the death of their father and has no idea that Charlie is an opportunistusing Raymondto get at their father's fortune. Personally, I feel that having a set of guidelines for fiction writers is long overdue - while the instances of suicides and self-harm are fictional, the emotions they elicit (and the potential impact on readers feeling these emotions) aren't. While we can argue issues of censorship/political correctness/not being an arsehole until the cows . But okay, where do we even begin with this particular Disney princess? Or would they be someone wed rather not be in the same room with? Of course, how can I leave out the most divisive of fictional characters in recent TV history? Dont think that Elsa had some serious depression? The Diagnosis: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), What Is NPD? How to write a character with abandonment issues? : r/writing - reddit Many movies about mental illness focus on the problematic lifestyle of the character afflicted, with them adapting to a neurotypical worldview, rather than the people around them adapting to their neurodivergent perspective.
