The Big Bang Theory Character Analysis

Many characters in movies, television shows, and novels have been portrayed or have been hinted to have a psychological disorder. Some examples are Ariel from The Little Mermaid, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is a hoarder, and Mike from the animated series Total Drama, who has dissociative identity disorder. This phenomenon has become more prevalent in popular media. These characters appear in all types of genres: psychological thrillers, comedies, mysteries, musicals, and more. The Big Bang Theory is a television sitcom that features a character that has many symptoms of a psychological disorder called Asperger’s syndrome, and this character is Sheldon Cooper.

Asperger’s syndrome is a psychological disorder that “affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others” (Mayo Clinic Staff). It is an autism spectrum disorder, which concerns a person’s lack of people and communication skills, and it has no definite cause. Sheldon Cooper’s Asperger’s syndrome is not confirmed in the series, but it is highly possible that he could have it, considering the number of symptoms he exhibits. Because Asperger’s syndrome affects how a person interacts with others, he or she can have long, one-sided conversations, not really knowing or caring what the listener is doing and believes that the listener is truly interested in what he or she is saying. People with Asperger’s syndrome have problems empathizing, avoid eye contact, are clumsy, maintain awkward positions, have a strong obsession(s), cannot grasp humor, or speak in a monotonous voice (Mayo Clinic Staff). Sheldon exhibits a majority of these symptoms. He interrupts people or changes the subject of a conversation to focus on him, and then, ...

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...perger’s syndrome, no specific treatments are explored for him for that disorder, but throughout the series his friends try to help him to treat other problems he has, which are treatments similar to those for Asperger’s syndrome. Treatments for Asperger’s syndrome are reducing issues, such as obsessions, and acquiring abilities to help with anxiety (Mayo Clinic Staff). Sheldon’s friends attempt to help him lessen his obsession on completing tasks fully, such as a game of tic-tac-toe or a puzzle, and to help him feel less anxious when these tasks go unfinished.

Sheldon Cooper clearly exhibits symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome although it is never addressed. He is just one of the many characters in popular media that has or could have a psychological disorder. Psychological disorders are serious, but for Sheldon, it makes him and the show all the more funny.