Psychology and Psychopathology of Movie and TV Characters: What's the Diagnosis

Knowing that one in three college students report experiencing mental health issues before coming to school, it's important to start early with education on psychological disorders and mental health.  This class provides a fun and memorable way to explore disorders.

This class is ideal for students who have an interest in psychology and psychological disorders. No prior psychology experience is needed, but students should be familiar with the characters that will be referenced each week. No videos will be viewed in the classes.

This is an educational, fact-based course, and not a counseling or therapy group. 

Each class will be a stand alone class and have three components.
I.   What is a psychological disorder
II.  What disorders do the characters of the week illustrate
III. What are the primary elements of the disorders of listed characters, as defined by the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

Week One  Disney characters- Mike (Monsters, Inc), Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Lots-O-Love Bear (Toy Story), and Flounder (The Little Mermaid) ; Gerascophobia, Anti-social Personality, Generalized Anxiety, Pedophobia, Narcissistic Personality

Week Two  Superhero characters- The Thing (Fantastic Four), Batman (Batman), Star-Lord (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel)- BONUS The psychology of why we like superheroes ; Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Major Depression, Dissociative Amnesia

Week Three  Mickey's Friends- Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story), Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh), Dumbo (Dumbo Live Action), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), and Quasimodo (Hunchback of Notre Dame); Krocodelaphobia, Delusional Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Dysthmia, Avoidant Personality

Week Four Personality Disorders, "Old-School" Style- Kramer (Seinfeld), Derek (Zoolander), Sheldon (Big Bang), Red Queen (Alice in Wonderland, live action), and Tinkerbell (Hook & Original); Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Week Five  Villains and why we love them- Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars/ Episode II Attack of the Clones & Episode III Revenge of the Sith), Sid (Toy Story), Loki, Buford (Phineas and Ferb); Acute Stress Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder

Week Six Variety of character types- The Joker (Batman), The Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Elsa (Frozen), Iron Man (Iron Man), Cinderella (Cinderella) ; Schizophrenia, Body Dysmorphia, Agoraphobia, PTSD, Dependant Personality Disorder

Week Seven  Animated Characters- Ferb (Phineas and Ferb), Fear (Inside Out), Porky Pig (Looney Tunes), Sleeping Beauty (Shrek the Third), Abu, the monkey (Aladdin);  Selective Mutism, Kleptomania, Panic Disorder, Narcolepsy

Week Eight  Variety of character types Part II- Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Shaggy (Scooby-Doo), Wolverine (Logan), Batman (Batman-Animated Series), Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) ; Alcohol Use Disorder, Malingering, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Schizoaffective Personality Disorder

Week Nine  Donald Duck & Friends- Sleepy (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Simba (The Lion King), Russell (Up), Wanda Maximoff (WandaVision), Donald Duck (Walt Disney Productions); Hypersomnolence, Persistent Bereavement Disorder, Disinhibited Engagement Disorder

Week Ten Encanto Characters- Mirabel, Abuela, Pepa, Luisa and Isabella.  The disorders in THIS CLASS ONLY, are a repeat of other disorders  already discussed, but will be examined through the experiences of Encanto characters as a family. High Functioning Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Complex Bereavement Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Week Eleven Variety Part III- James Bond (Casino), Sheldon (Big Bang), Tweek (South Park), Zuko (Avatar), Melman (Madagascar) ; Illness Anxiety Disorder, Pyromania, Caffeine Withdrawal, Caffeine Intoxication, Gambling Disorder

Week Twelve Fictional Detectives- Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Miss Marple, Monk, Shawn (Psych); Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Unspecified Depressive Disorder NOS, General Personality Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder

Class topics will repeat after week #12.

Because research says students learn better when relaxed, learners will not be called on.  Chat box polls will be used to encourage participation.  Participation is welcomed but never required.

I use slides, gifs and chat box polls to enhance learning.  I have a structured, yet humor-filled teaching style, designed to keep student's interest and help learners feel comfortable.