Naruto Uzumaki presents a compelling case of a child with demanding psychosocial needs. Naruto believes he is possessed by a dreaded nine-tailed fox and acts irrationally to prove such a fact. Therefore, consistent with the characteristics of the character in the Japanese Manga and anime juggernaut, Naruto acts irrationally to fit the profile. The patient is violent towards his teachers, fellow pupils, and his parents which is a great concern since he poses a danger to others. His performance at school is also taking a dip especially in maths because of careless mistakes resulting from his impulsivity. An appropriate treatment intervention is necessary to enable the patient to experience positive cognitive development and enable him live with others ( Murdock, 2004 ). An in-depth analysis of Naruto’s case reveals that he might be exhibiting the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) since he meets all the criteria of ADHD as per DSM-5. According to DSM-5, a patient meets the criteria of ADHD if he has the following symptoms;
Six or more symptoms of inattention such as being easily distracted, difficulties organizing tasks or activities, the child has difficulties holding attention, the child fails to pay attention to details leading to careless mistakes, fails to follow instructions and often does not complete tasks assigned to him and is easily forgetful.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity such as talking excessively, difficulty waiting for their turn, often interrupts others, is usually on the go, unable to engage in leisure activities quietly, leaves their seat even in situations where one should be seated, often fidgets in their seat and often climbs or runs even if the situation is not appropriate for that.
The child portrays the symptoms in more than two setting such as at home, at school, with friends.
The child had signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity before the age of 12 years.
The symptoms affect their ability to function
The symptoms cannot be explained by any other mental condition (Soreff, 2021).
Treatment Intervention
The decision to move Naruto to a special school was erroneous and did not consider all the modalities. The patient is not disabled; his problem according to DSM 5 criteria is ADHD. An intervention plan that involves creating a deep emotional and physical connection with the patient would be the first step to solving the problem ( Schwitzer & Rubin, 2014 ). Naruto is living with his adopted parents and was abandoned by his biological parents at a young age. Parents act as role models and provide the basic needs of children: life, care, control, happiness, and purpose. Parental estrangement has a negative impact on the child’s cognitive development ( Sukhodolsky et al., 2016 ). Naruto’s adoptive parents complain that he is not exhibiting signs of similar cognitive development at par with his peers instead he is reckless and undependable.
Objects Relations Theory
Object relations is a variation of psychoanalytic theory that suggests that humans are motivated by the need to form relationships and stay in contact with others. An assessment of the patient’s ADHD consistent with the objects relations theory, reveal that parental estrangement is the cause of his ADHD. The harsh environment and brutal experiences that the patient has undergone are the reasons for his erratic behavior and inability to exhibit positive cognitive development. The primary focus of the objects relations theory is consistency of interpersonal relationships as a way of fostering intimacy and nurturing that the patient needs. Such a proactive approach can effectively solve Naruto’s problem.
Further, there is evidence of a lack of connection between Naruto’s adopted parents and the child. Maybe Naruto does not recognize them as his parents and prefers to cage himself in a fictitious character in Japanese Manga and anime Juggernaut. The steps to solving Naruto’s problem are simplistic. They include setting clear rules, creating a connection with the child, explaining the consequences of disruptive behavior to a child, and appropriate response to ADHD in ways that do not threaten the child ( Nichols, 2012 ).
Conclusion
Objects Relations Theory is the framework upon which the treatment intervention for Naruto is focused on. The psychological needs of the patient are delimited by negative past experiences and parental estrangement. The patient should be made aware of his problem, ADHD, as the initial step. Naruto’s adoptive parents are supportive but should consider effective ways of creating a connection with the patient. A critical understanding of the patient’s background and experiences is vital in creating an emotional connection with him.
References
Kernberg, O. F. (1995). Object relations theory and clinical psychoanalysis . Jason Aronson.
Murdock, N. L. (2004). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach . Pearson Education New Zealand.
Nichols, M. P. (2012). Family therapy: Concepts and methods . Pearson Higher Ed.
Schwitzer, A. M., & Rubin, L. C. (2014). Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Skills: A Popular Culture Casebook Approach (DSM-5 Update) . SAGE Publications.
Soreff, S. (2021, July 7). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Background, pathophysiology, epidemiology. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/289350-overview
Sukhodolsky, D. G., Smith, S. D., McCauley, S. A., Ibrahim, K., & Piasecka, J. B. (2016). Behavioral interventions for anger, irritability, and aggression in children and adolescents. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology , 26 (1), 58-64.
