Mental disorders are frequently seen in the cinema. Often the characters exhibit symptoms, etiologies, and, in some cases, treatments for such mental disorders. Films can play a powerful role in the life of a child. Particularly, when a child is suffering from a mental disorder, it is more meaningful and beneficial to have a child see the same struggles that he or she is experiencing through a character that is “kid friendly.” Consequently, analyzing and interpreting films that exhibit mental disorders can be a valuable tool when conducting therapy with children. The Lion King provides an interesting look at Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the form of the main character Simba. The Lion King takes place in the savannahs of Africa with anthropomorphized animals, including lions, hyenas, baboons, warthogs, and meerkats. The main character Simba is a lion cub living with his father, Mufasa, who is the king of the savannah and his mother. Mufasa’s brother, Scar, is evil and seeks to overthrow Mufasa and become the king. In a scheme to end Mufasa’s reign as king, Scar lures Simba to a…show more content… The two animals befriend Simba and in essence begin his therapeutic recovery. Timon and Pumbaa encourage Simba to “leave the past behind him” and in a sense give him a mantra to repeat to himself as a way to move past his guilt, “Hakuna matata” (No worries). Despite the support from his friends, Simba still exhibits symptoms of PTSD, often he is kept awake at night showing signs of difficulty sleeping wondering about his father, as well as irritable behavior and angry outbursts, particularly when he is confronted by his long lost friend Nalla. When Nalla asks him to come back to his home he becomes frustrated and refuses to go back, angrily stating that she does not understand and she should leave him. Simba’s restless sleeping habits and angry outbursts are typical of someone who is experiencing
