1.
Introduction to character (provide 2-3 bullet points that address the questions
below)
1. Who? What book, show, video game, movie? What is their suspected
disorder?
Spongebob Squarepants from a Nickelodeon TV show, Spongebob Squarepant. He is a fry
cook that lives on his own in the city of Bikini Bottom. Spongebob has suspected ADHD,
more specifically predominantly hyperactivity and impulsivity.
2. Presenting problem (provide 2-3 bullet points that address each of the questions
below)
1. What are the symptoms and behaviors exhibited by your character?
● Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of Spongebob include fidgets, runs about or
climbs when inappropriate, inability to play quietly, appears “driven by motor,”
excessive talking, can’t wait for turn, and often interrupts or intrudes on others.
● Inattention symptoms of Spongebob include missing details, and being forgetful.
2. Which domains of functioning (e.g., social, academic, professionally) are
impacted as a result of the symptoms and behaviors?
● Social functioning: has a hard time getting along with others, such as his coworker
and neighbor Squidward, due to being very energetic, which Squidward finds
annoying.
● Academic: low grades received on written exams during driving class do to inability
to pay attention
● Professional: often agitated customers and coworkers due to excessive talking. He
would also fidget and run around at times which especially strained his relationship
with his coworker Squidward.
How do these symptoms and behaviors encompass the 4 Ds of abnormality?
● Dysfunction: Spongebob had a hard time managing himself on a daily basis when it
came to house chores, caring for his pet, and transportation (since Spongebob was
unable to pass his driving test)
● Distress: Spongebob was often in emotional distress, shown by him crying
numerous times when things went wrong.
● Deviance: The hyperactivity of Spongebob definitely stood out from other
characters around him. In many instances, Spongebob would be running around or
excessively talking.
● Dangerousness: Due to inattention to detail, and working at a restaurant
Spongebob has put people at risk through not making food properly, and fire risks.
3. Contributing factors (provide 2-3 bullet points that address each of the questions
below)
1. What are some of the biopsychosocial risk factors of this character? For
example, is there a history of psychopathology in their family, history of
prenatal or early exposure to toxins, history of adverse childhood
experiences, presence of other sociodemographic risk factors?
● Not much is known about the childhood of Spongebob Squarepants,
prenatal care, or exposure to toxins, but there are possible
sociodemographic risk factors, seeing that Spongebob’s house is
standard, and he does not have many possessions.
● Spongebob is also a child who lives alone at the start of the show, and
he has to work a job likely to pay for his house.
Are there any current stressors that may be contributing to the severity of
your character’s symptoms?
● Trying to pass driving test, working to maintain house bills
2. How do biopsychosocial risk factors and current stressors interact in your
character and contribute to their presenting problem (i.e., symptoms,
behaviors, impairment)?
● The biopsychosocial risk factors and current stressors such as
working to sustain oneself due to sociodemographic status and trying
to pass a driving test may cause performance issues due to more
stress and pressure.
● It may cause Spongebob to try to rush tasks, and cause more
dysfunction in the day to day life.
3. What are some cultural aspects that should be considered for your
character? How may these cultural aspects contribute to their presenting
problem?
● Some cultural aspects of this show include being a functioning
member of society. Spongebob may feel pressure to be on the same
level as other people in the town he lives in, and this pressure may
cause impulsiveness, forgetfulness, and being more
distracted/inattentive to details.
4. Diagnosis (provide 2-3 bullet points that address the questions below)
1. Does your character meet criteria for one or more mental health disorders?
What criteria do they meet?
● Spongebob meets the criteria for ADHD, specifically predominantly
hyperactive and impulsive.
● It is possible that Spongebob may have criteria for Autism Spectrum
Disorder because Spongebob has repetitive patterns of behaviors,
interest, and activities.
● In the show there are many times where Spongebob has repetitive
movements and is self stimulating in order to soothe himself in times
of stress.
● He also has deficits in social interaction, such as not being able to
interpret other people's emotions.
5. Treatment and Recommendations (provide 2-3 bullet points that address the
questions below)
1. Based on your character’s presenting problems, contributing factors, and
diagnosis, what treatment recommendations would you make? And why?
● I would recommend non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine. These
drugs will target the norepinephrine allowing better focus. This
would be helpful for Spongebob to stay on track because he gets
distracted easily.
● I would also recommend therapy alongside the medication.
If you recommend therapy, what kind of therapy? And why that particular one?
● I would recommend behavioral therapy. The basis of behavioral therapy is using
positive reinforcement to help promote good habits.
● Behavioral therapy would enforce attentive and prosocial behavior, as well as
distinguish hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
● This would be helpful for Spongebob because it will allow him to recognize when he
is getting sidetracked and recognize if his behavior is disruptive to others around
him.
1. If you recommend medication, would you also recommend therapy
and why?
● I would recommend therapy alongside the medication to make
the learning curve less difficult. The medication will allow for
better focus while building the habits taught through
behavioral therapy.
2. What are some other recommendations you would make for this character?
● Try to stay more organized by using to-do lists, calendars, and sticky
notes as reminders.
● If you can cross out tasks on to-do lists, it could possibly be rewarding
to see how much progress that got done.
● Exercising may also be a good way to provide Spongebob's brain with
the stimulation it needs.
