Tolkien’s Gollum from his Lord of the Rings trilogy suffered a personality disorder akin to schizophrenia, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal on Friday.
The disturbed hobbit-like creature most probably suffered from schizoid personality disorder, medical students from London’s University College found.
The nature of Gollum’s illness — and that of his other incarnation, the aggressive and spiteful Smeagol — has long been debated and is the subject of discussion on more than 1 300 websites.
A survey of 30 medical students found that 25 diagnosed Gollum with schizophrenia, with three citing a multiple personality disorder.
The team, led by Liz Sampson, concluded that Gollum displayed seven of the nine symptoms of schizoid personality disorder, including solitary habits, nervousness and paranoia.
”Gollum displays pervasive maladaptive behaviour that has been present since childhood with a persistent disease course. His odd interest and spiteful behaviour have led to difficulty in forming friendships and distress to others,” she said.
”He fulfils seven of the nine criteria for schizoid personality disorder, and if we must label Gollum’s problems, we believe that this is the most likely diagnosis,” she concluded.
The students did not suggest a course of treatment. — Sapa-DPA