DSM-IV Diagnosis
Patient: Eeyore
Examiner: Adam C. Brunell
Sex: Male
Date: 11130/07
Age: 32
Reason for Referral and Presenting Problem:
Eeyore was referred to me by his friend Pooh, the bear. According to Pooh, Eeyore was
having trouble being happy, even in his friend's amiable presence. Pooh also claims
Eeyore overindulged in birthday cake and thistles and slept more than a normal donkey
should; furthermore, when Eeyore was awake, he talked slowly and walked drowsily.
Pooh added that it seemed that a "cloud of sadness" seemed to follow Eeyore wherever
he went.
Background Information:
Eeyore, a main character in AA Milne's series of children books, is a relatively simple
diagnostic case. Eeyore always talks slowly in a monotone voice, even around his best
friends. He also has a negative outlook on life, frequently citing himself as the cause of
many of the problems that surround him. Eeyore does not usually participate in the games
and activities of his friends; instead, he lopes around the participants ofthe activity while
mun1bling to hin1self. In addition to a negative outlook on life, Eeyore has negative
opinion ofhin1self.·He sees himself as au untalented loser who has no hope of improving
himself aud often fails to recognize the admirable qualities that his friends point out in
himself. Since Eeyore's tail was traumatically amputated, Eeyore has been insecure with
his body image. Also, Eeyore constantly judges himself against his peers and feels
ashamed for being an old, lonely donkey. Eeyore has never been in a serious relationship
with a female donkey, nor does he pIau on marrying aud starting a family of his own.
Eeyore, however, does enjoy certain things in life. Eeyore's favorite thing in the world is
birthday cake, aud he has been known to go out of his way to find a reason to eat cake.
Eeyore also loves eating thistles aud spends much of his day doing so. Eeyore's other
favorite activity is sleeping. Eeyore enjoys sleeping late every morning, as he considers
"late mornings to be good mornings." Despite these two unproductive habits, Eeyore still
maintains a moderately functional life.
Eeyore's most noticeable symptom is drowsiness aud a negative outlook on himself on
others. Most ofEeyore's companions say that Eeyore has always seemed depressed, but
he has gotten progressively less satisfied with himself and others in the last six to eight
weeks. During this time, Eeyore has been found by his friends eating birthday cake by
himself even though it is not his (or auyone else's) birthday. Under the DSM N