Pooh found to be unstable
(from Canadian Medical Association Journal - 13 December 2000)
Everybody's friend, Pooh bear seems to have more problems than he realised...
Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and their forest friends are "seriously troubled individuals" according to Canadian researchers. Far from being the innocent world it appears to be on the surface, Hundred Acre Wood is, say the reseachers, a place where psycho-social problems are not recognised or treated. In a report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the specialists suggest AA Milne's characters would be better off with psycho-active drugs and more parental guidance. Lead researcher Sarah Shea said the purpose of the tongue-in-cheek study was to remind people that anyone can have disorders. Pooh, a bear of very little brain, is said to suffer from the condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His fixation with honey and his repetitive counting behaviours suggest he may also present obsessive compulsive disorder, according to the report. Pooh's learning problems could also arise from him being dragged downstairs by Christopher Robin, bumping his head on each step - a possible case of "shaken bear syndrome", asks the study. "We cannot but wonder how much richer Pooh's life might be were he to have a trial of low-dose stimulant medication," say the researchers. Piglet obviously suffers from generalised anxiety disorder according to the study. Anti-panic agent, it says, would have saved him from the emotional trauma experienced while attempting to trap heffalumps. Role models While the chronically depressed Eeyore and risk-taking Tigger are also prescribed different kinds of medication, some of their friends need support and better role-models. Had his condition been identified early, Owl's dyslexia could been overcome through intensive support. The researchers predict that Roo is likely to become a delinquent for lack of a good role model, while Kanga will probably miss the opportunity to get an MBA due to a social context that does not "appear to value education and provides no strong leadership". Which brings us to Christopher Robin. Not finding any diagnosable condition, the specialists express concern over several issues. Namely, the boy's lack of parental supervision and the fact that he spends his time talking to animals. "Sadly the forest is not, in fact, a place of enchantment, but rather one of disenchantment, where neuro-developmental and psycho-social problems go unrecognised and untreated," conclude the authors. Whether the readers of Pooh would benefit from the bear's visit to a child development clinic, as suggested in the study, is another matter. Find other Children articles
Comments
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Complicated Grace: there are SO waiting lists in Canada, I live in Canada, and there SO are! Maybe not as long as other country's but we do have them. This stuff's mostly just made up for our entertainment. LOL. weird story.(11/10/2011)
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Complicated Grace: Hey, Chill Dustin, I'm a Canadian and I don't like that you think we're all terrible people just because of one person. So stop mouthing off about another country, I bet not every country is great, so stop it. Oh, and I loved Pooh as a kid, he's great. Anyways guys, this stuff's mostly for laughs, so just laugh it off. LOL(11/10/2011)
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missqueenie: Oh my God you are on a funny website and you have no humor I think this is very entertaining and see nothing wrong wit this story. Honestly this world needs more humor lighten up!!!!!!(09/01/2011)
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KD the COMIC: ohhhh K, Now riddle me this, the peeps that DO theses Studies....DO they NEED the HELP for there the ones making a bigger story out of a story and That SH$tz NOT COOL!(13/09/2008)
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**Me**: This is great, Having worked with people with mental health problems I can totally see where the author got the idea from. That and I cant stand that damn bear.(23/03/2008)
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alexis: I think this is gay! I mean I may be 12 but I thik pooh bear rox! Hey I have an opinion too and manipulating a cartoon character is just wrong! I think the people who like started the whole pooh bear and tigger and piglet...etc. should sue the people who wrote this cause this is just wrong! Pooh bear is a happy character out of books and television series! They are just wrong 'cause I think the person who wrote this has a messed up brain because that is just wrong a perfectly good character out of book shouldn't be made fun of that just a disgrase to the cartoons!!!!!!!!!!!!(28/11/2007)
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maddie: its meant to be a joke...
ever heard of "tongue in cheek"?(27/02/2007)
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Emma: bizarre, some people can make something out of nothing, winnie the pooh is not alice in wonderland(21/12/2006)
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george: there are obviously no waiting lists in canada, as these specialists have too much time on there hands...send them to the uk!(14/10/2006)
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go pooh bear: OMG!!! some ppl have no sense of humour! Pooh bear is just a cute little story character, and some stupid scientists bag Winnie just cuz he loves honey!! GO POOH BEAR! GO A.A.MILNE! WOOOOOT!(26/06/2006)
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abramo1999: strange!?(10/04/2006)
- Natalie: its funny how who ever wrote this has manipulated some harmless cartoon charchters children enjoy reading about and watching on tv, but i do want to thank who ever wrote this as i had to find a small maniplutive story for some homework...cheers(09/11/2005)
- never you mind: its just a joke so dont take it seriously(12/10/2005)
- Lee: hehe. are they the worst in the world for being cynical or publishing a story that does not necessarily have a Canadian author? I do agree though, that it is odd & unneccesary to mentally evaluate a childrens cartoon.(03/10/2005)
- g65naamba: I agree with dustin, Pooh is merely a character for little kids(24/07/2005)
- Dustin: The Canadians are the worst people in the world, Pooh is just a cartoon for little kids. There is no problem mentaly with any of the characters.(01/02/2005)
