In this blog, we will answer the question “Is Disney Obsession a Disorder?” and also will cover what is Disney obsession, its symptoms, its medical status, and frequently asked questions.
Is Disney Obsession a Disorder?
Well, there is no official diagnosis or medically recognized condition associated with Disney obsession but if someone gets too obsessed with Disney, it can lead to various issues in their life.
Disney Obsession Disorder
Disney Obsession Disorder (DOD), also known as Disneyfication, is the pathological obsession with Disney, its characters, and its works. It can manifest in a variety of ways, from the mild to the seriously unhealthy.
The obsession can take on a life of its own and drive individuals to consume Disney—usually in large amounts—to the exclusion of other forms of media, friends, and activities. It’s not uncommon to see people wearing Disney-related clothing, watching Disney movies, and visiting Disney parks on a daily basis.
The disorder can be severe enough to cause problems in daily life, such as missing work or school, skipping important social engagements, or even refusing to leave the house.
It can also cause severe depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues in some people. Because of this, it’s important to know if you or a loved one is suffering from Disney obsession disorder in order to get help.
It’s been compared to other disorders, such as fanboyism, fangirlism, but the term “obsession” is a bit too strong. People with DOD simply enjoy — and sometimes obsess over — Disney. They may visit the parks or other Disney destinations frequently, buy Disney merchandise, and watch Disney movies, sometimes even on a loop.
It’s not that the company’s hotels, theme parks, and cruise lines are bad—on the contrary, most are of top-notch quality. It’s just that Disney is so good at marketing itself that its parks and other entertainment offerings have become synonymous with happiness, magic, and the purest form of childhood entertainment possible.
When we’re not visiting the company’s actual destinations, we end up spending our money at other entertainment chains, often going to amusement parks that offer more thrills, better rides, and more
Symptoms of Disney Obsession
For many, visiting Disney parks is a childhood dream come true. But for others, the experience has a darker side. The company’s famous magic seems to be able to captivate anyone, regardless of age or gender, and generations of fans have been left yearning for a tiny bit more of it.
Perhaps the most obvious manifestation of this phenomenon is the growing number of adults who have Disney Obsessive Disorder.
The symptoms, as described by the internet, include experiencing strong emotions while visiting the Disney Parks—a sense of “joy” and “elation” is common—and finding it difficult to experience those same emotions when visiting other attractions, or even when visiting other cities.
There’s also an imperative to visit Disney Parks again and again, and a tendency to travel to other cities solely so that one can visit additional Disney Parks.
Not everyone who loves Disney feels the same way, though. Some people get caught up in the Magic, in a way that causes distress and impairment in their lives. They’re Disney Obsessives, and if you’re feeling drawn to the Mouse in a way that’s causing problems in your life, this can be you.
Defining Disney Obsession
Definitions of “Disney Obsession” vary slightly from source to source, but in general, it’s characterized as an unhealthy preoccupation with Disney and its properties to the exclusion of other things, accompanied by a range of psychological and social issues.
When Disney parks opened in 1955, few people could have predicted the impact the company would have on American culture and consciousness over the next six decades. Even fewer could have predicted that the company’s magic would also be its downfall.
For those who have fallen under the spell of Disney — or, perhaps more accurately, for those who have fallen under the Disney microscope — the experience can be deeply immersive and exhausting. It can feel like a full-time job managing obsessive thoughts, persuading oneself that one is fine, and convincing others that one is just fine.
Some people are obsessed with Disney. To the point of becoming uncomfortable around people who aren’t, or exhibiting rude behavior if their favorite parks aren’t being visited. The condition, known as Disney Obsessive Disorder (DOD)
Mental health expert on Disney Obsession
It was first identified in a report by clinical psychologist Jeff W. Johnson in 2001. Johnson defined DOD as a “parasitic relationship” with Disney that “subsumes all other aspects of the individual’s life,” and is typically brought on by excessive exposure to Disney’s characters and stories as a child.
Walt Disney himself was a dedicated collector of animation cels, and his Disneyland was a labor of love that presented a carefully thought-out version of the world’s greatest animated films. But today, Disney is a multi-billion dollar corporation.
It owns the rights to the characters that populate the worlds of its theme parks, resorts, and movies, and those characters are so embedded in our culture that it’s hard to avoid them.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
The Medical status of Disorder
The Psychological Association of America stated Thursday that it will amend its Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition not to permanently define adult Disney obsession as a kind of psychopathy, in a lengthy effort to assist modernise therapeutic procedures.
“For aeons, these regulations have contributed in mature Americans getting labelled as perverts and loners simply for enjoying Disney enough just to possess multiple T-shirts starring Mickey, Goofy, or Donald Duck,” stated APA Director Jennifer F. Kelly.
He also added that while a person seems to have neurodivergent characteristics to not feel overwhelming guilt while crooning out the chorus of “Let It Go” from Frozen, it isn’t enough to stigmatize anyone with Adult-Onset Disney fever.
“Evidently, a psychologically grown individual must feel a deep feeling of shame after admitting they enjoyed their trip at Disney World even when not having kids of their own.” That goes even more if they upload a picture next to Cinderella’s Castle while sporting Minnie Mouse ears.
Nevertheless, we believe that this shift heralds in a new age of forbearance amongst fellow employees for people who are afflicted with this terrible and chronic condition.” The APA will also stop prescribing hormone castration for people above the age of fourteen who have seen all of Pixar’s movies, according to Kelly.
It isn’t unusual to enjoy Disney resorts. As per a survey from Los Angeles advisory firm Aecom, about 18 million tourists visited Disneyland last year alone, and the tourism empire it produced has altered and echoed the American zeitgeist for more than six decades.
Nonetheless, we know that the practice of traveling to Disney world many times each month may be considered unusual.
What are the Complaints against this disorder?
Disneyland has a slew of critics who all have the same gripe: it’s too hot. There’s a lot of people here. There are far too many pedestrians on the road. There are far too many guests without children who grumble about the pram. Portions of the site, particularly Main Street U.S.A., portray an idealised version of America which never occurred.
Irving Biederman, a psychology professor at USC, has visited various Disney venues, and his complaint is just one I receive from fellow peers: they’re too artificial. Biederman remembers riding the park’s submersible ride as a kid and being underwhelmed by the animatronic fish.
He comments, “One of the things I don’t like about Disneyland is that the architecture virtually precludes surprises.” “The salmon wasn’t genuine,” says the narrator. Real fish would have been preferable. And something strange could occur. It’s no wonder if it’s a phony fish. One of Disneyland’s flaws is that there are no thrills when you get past the early impression.
Conclusion
Disneyland, despite its young appeal, is not a sandbox. Amusement parks are a totally contemporary idea that is as much founded on innovation as it is on the belief in fairy dust, and we’re just now learning to appreciate its rising importance as a narrative medium.
Large, enveloping environments encourage us to take part in large-scale theatre. It’s possible to experience a wild virtual drive like Paypal’s Flight of Adventure and just appreciate the excitement of flying on the wings of a dragon-like monster known also as a banshee.
Alternatively, one may take their time and put together the show’s storyline pieces, learning how a complete make-believe environment works together. It’s as if you’re in the middle of an actual video game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Is Disney Obsession a Disorder?
What do you call people who are obsessed with Disney?
People who are obsessed with Disney are often referred to as “Disney Adults.”
What makes certain individuals so enamored with Disney?
At Disneyland, there is always something dynamic and unpredictable.
Every journey brings new rides, fresh character eating, new snacks, new resorts, and new transportation alternatives. Humans desire novelty, which is one of the reasons why individuals return year after year (or sometimes several times a year!) for more.
What does it mean to be a Disney panelist?
Visitors, not Members Of the cast or Disney Advertising Employees, make up the panel. They respond to your queries with individualised responses based on their personal experiences at Disney Parks. It’s the same as calling a person, neighbour, or family member for advice.
What psychological techniques does Disney employ?
The psychology that underpins the idea is as follows: Bias in the Narrative
Disney and his Imagineers developed a deep emotional tie between guests and the park experience by building on a foundation of stories. Every scene is part of a larger story, making visitors feel as though they’re a part of the enchantment.
Is there a psychologist at Disney?
Psychologist Jackie Ogden helps to guarantee that tourists to Walt Disney World resorts enjoy a wonderful and meaningful encounter with nature. As the vice president for Animals, Science, and Nature at Walt Disney Theme parks, psychologist Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., reigns supreme over the realm.
When it comes to forced perspective, how does Disney employ it?
Structures and things appear higher than they are using Forced Perspective, and Animators may adjust the apparent distance between items as well. Imagineers create Disney buildings on a scale of 1 5/8 – 1/2 to get this appearance. Forced Perspective is also applicable to stand-alone structures in Disney theme parks.
References
www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-disneyland-psychology-20170707-htmlstory.html