A recent viral video posited a rather shocking theory that each Disney princess represents a different mental disorder.

Disney princesses are known to be some of the most beloved characters there are on the big and little screens today, and it’s a no-brainer as to why that’s the case. Disney princesses are some of the most profitable IPs from Disney from a business perspective. Fans love to see these women on screen and see themselves in them.

However, a recent video suggested a theory that each Disney princess, in fact, represented a different mental disorder.

Related: Are Disney Adults Mentally Ill?

Disney Princess Each Represent Mental Disorders

Per the video from @investearnsave, some of the most famous princesses in the world of Disney suffer from some difficult diseases. The host of the podcast the video plays explains, “There’s a whole theory where every Disney princess is supposed to represent a disorder.”

The host continued that psychologists reportedly conducted a study and connected each Disney princess with a specific disorder.

The video diagnosed each princess as follows:

• Ariel
  • “If you notice, Ariel has a big ship and has so [many] things around her. She’s a hoarder… That’s a form of OCD.”
• Alice in Wonderland
  • “This one is easy…she sees caterpillars walking around with eyes. Schizophrenia.”
• Belle
  • “She was captured and put in a castle; this is called Stockholm Syndrome.”

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The video lists more princesses and the possible disorders they represent.

In the comments, fans were completely bemused by the situation, accusing the commentators of making this sort of analysis for “clout.” However, it bears mentioning that this was also corroborated by a study from Eastern Kentucky University that explored the impact of Disney princesses who exhibited worrisome behaviors on children who watched these movies.

In this research paper, the author argues, “Children learn through mimicking or witnessing behaviors of others, and this effect can be greater if the child feels an attachment to that person. Viewing mental illness may lead children to develop mental illness behaviors themselves.”

Related: Critics Speak Out in Defense of Snow White

In the paper, the author gives the example of Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella from Cinderella, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, and Anna & Elsa from Frozen and Frozen II. 

The author of the paper diagnoses the princesses differently from the video.

In the paper, the author argues Snow White shows clear signs of having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, explaining, “Not only does Snow White meet all the requirements for PTSD according to the DSM-V, but she also shows other psychological behaviors of the disorder: abnormal attachment. People who have experienced trauma are more likely to be over-attached to another individual more quickly.”

Similarly, Cinderella can be diagnosed as having Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD), per the author. In fact, she even goes so far as to mention Cinderella is commonly acknowledged as the most famous case of DPD, with the disorder being nicknamed “Cinderella syndrome.”

In modern culture, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty is said to have Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS). Her character is so popular that this syndrome is often called “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome” or even Major Depressive Disorder.

Finally, Anna and Elsa have AD/HD and Avoidant Personality Disorder, respectively.

What do you think of these diagnoses of mental disorders for Disney princesses? Do you agree with any of them?