Harry Potter franchise attracts the attention of people from around the world, starting from the release of the first book back in 1997. Why is the story of a “boy who survived” does not cease to captivate us for more than 20 years now? The psychiatrist argues.
For me personally, the whole franchise has some inexplicable atmosphere: cozy, warm, kind. As a tradition before the New Year, I revise all parts of the adaptation. And with a special trepidation I am waiting for the third part, namely the appearance of Professor Lupine. For me, this character is the personification of the psychotherapeutic side of the whole franchise about Harry Potter.
Professor Lupine since the appearance of Hogwarts at school has always been distinguished by sensitivity, understanding, attentiveness to students’ problems and a very pronounced sense of justice. He shows himself as a real specialist and experienced teacher.
“Ridiculus”
Let us recall the known occupation from the Dark Arts, where students first get acquainted with Boggart, who accepts the appearance of what a person is most afraid of. The Ridiculus spell itself implies that the student must imagine his fear in the form of what causes laughter. And this is a vivid example of direct use by professor lupine of psychotherapeutic techniques.
There is a theory of classical determination of scientist Ivan Pavlov, which is used in psychotherapy and is the basis of learning in the process of life
It is based on a reception when a therapist asks the client to name his problem, which causes him anxiety or fear, so that it becomes ridiculous. And this allows the client to look at the problem from a different angle, to develop his response skills to any difficulties in life with no anxiety, fear or panic, but a smile and relaxation.
“Expecto patronum”
Professor Lupine in a sense helps Harry to cope with depression. Harry Potter in the third part is subjected to frequent attacks from the dementors and asks Professor Lupine to help him. Patronus spell must be uttered by a wizard who has strong happy memories. Harry in the learning process understands what exactly brings him joy in life, and this is not the first flight on a broomstick, but deeper values, such as friends and parents.
Joan Rowling admitted that she came up with the image of dementors during an attack of depression. And in fact, in the presence of dementors, people experienced very similar sensations with depression – reduced mood, sadness, a feeling of lack of emotions.
The fact that the professor after Harry meets Dementor or Boggart is also interesting, gives him chocolate
The information is very common that chocolate is a natural antidepressant. Indeed, its composition contains an amino acid Triptophan, which stimulates the production of serotonin, hormone of joy. But the amount of this amino acid is negligible to cause at least any effect, however, Lupine puts the fact of very fast and ambulance into this slice of chocolate. And we see the placebo effect in all its glory together with the usual feeling of pleasure from delicious food.
Marauders’ Map
Rimus Lupine is objective. Never emotions are placed above the facts and above the arguments of the mind. If you turn to the book, we can recall that for thirteen years Lupin was sure that Sirius Black betrayed Potterov, but as soon as he saw on the “Maraudes map” of Living Peter Pettigru, he rushed to find out the truth and quickly understood who the traitor actually.
The studies showed that the success of psychotherapy depends on the authenticity, warmth and empathy of the psychotherapist and that it is difficult to achieve psychotherapeutic goals, remaining distant, impersonal and cold. Experienced psychotherapists are aware of their feelings in relation to customers, but hold them in order not to
interfere with the psychotherapeutic process. Rimus realizes his feelings for loved ones, and they are strong enough, friends for him are almost the most important part of life, but this does not prevent him from reasoning, even when you have to admit that your best friend is a traitor.All books about Harry Potter can truly consider the treasury of psychological lessons of life, and Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, thanks to Professor Lupine, is a real psychotherapeutic session.