It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it?

Flip on the tube, take in a movie or visit the library and you are sure to get your fill of Christmas goodness. Rudolph overcomes adversity to become a reindeer leader. O. Henry's newlywed's, Della and James, sell their prize possessions in order to surprise each other with extravagant gifts. And Virginia learns that, yes, there is a Santa Claus.

But what about the villains who seek to stomp out Christmas spirit at every turn? Did they miss the "peace and goodwill toward men" memo, or do larger psychological issues drive their actions?

Two Cedar Valley mental health professionals took up The Courier's challenge to diagnose the holiday's most notorious bad boys. Lisa Kukral is a licensed mental health counselor with Covenant Clinic Psychiatry and Catherine DeSoto is an associate professor with the University of Northern Iowa's psychology department. Here is their lighthearted analysis of the season's scoundrels.

Professor Hinkle, "Frosty the Snowman"

Patient history: The "worst magician in the world" who seeks to steal Frosty's life-giving magic top hat.

Mantra: "Think nasty!"

Diagnosis: Antisocial personality disorder.

"This is really the classic criminal sort of diagnosis," Kukral said. "He fits the criteria of failing to conform to norms, especially those regarding lawful behavior."

When the professor realizes that Frosty's hat could make him a bundle, he recklessly jumps a train and pursues the snowman on its way to the North Pole. At one stop, Hinkle locks Frosty in a greenhouse, causing the creature to melt away. That's no way to behave in a holiday show!

Other trademarks of the disorder - deceitfulness, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, disregard for the safety of others and lack of remorse - can be seen in Hinkle's quest for the hat.

"He's basically someone who does not live by society's rules," Kukral said.

Mr. Potter, "It's a Wonderful Life"

Patient history: Greedy businessman and slum lord intent on shutting down the "Bailey Building and Loan."

Loathsome line: "Why, George … you're worth more dead than alive."

Diagnosis: Narcissistic personality disorder.

One look at this curmudgeon's office says it all. A giant portrait of the misanthrope graces the wall, and the room's minuscule guest chairs ensure that Potter, who uses a wheelchair, still towers over his guests.

"He has a grandiose sense of self-importance (and) is preoccupied with fantasies of success and power," said Kukral.

Potter refers to the working class people of Bedford Falls as "cattle," and enjoys using his money and power to manipulate others.

"People with this personality disorder also believe that they are special and unique and can only be around other people that are special and unique," Kukral said.

The Grinch, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Patient history: Hatches the "wonderful, awful idea" of stealing holiday trimmings from all the Whos in Whoville.

Evil in action: "Slithers and slinks" through the Whos' houses, stealing Christmas presents, stockings - even the roast beast!

Diagnosis: Borderline personality disorder.

In this classic holiday tale, the Grinch's emotions seem to yo-yo from page to page. First he despises the Whos and their singing, but by the end of the book he's celebrating with them and becomes enamored with the pure-hearted Cindy Lou.

"To me, the hallmark of BPD is the vacillation between strong devaluation of a person - or groups of people - shifting to extreme positive feelings, bordering on abject idealization," explained Desoto. "The Grinch's behavior and feelings for the townsfolk seem to fit this."

Mayor Burgermeister Meisterburger, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

Patient history: "A mean old grouch of a man" who outlaws toys in Sombertown and jails a young Santa.

Mean musing: "Ah, a perfect day. Everybody is glum."

Diagnosis: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

After tripping on a toy duck, Mayor Burgermeister Meisterburger makes it his mission to expel all the toys from his territory.

Unlike obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by repetitive actions or thoughts, this personality disorder is marked by a preoccupation with details, perfectionism and obsessive devotion to work, Kukral said.

Burgermeister Meisterburger is the ultimate evil micromanager, patrolling Sombertown streets looking for toy violations.

"They can be reluctant to delegate tasks," Kukral said. "They want everything done their way."

The Bumble (aka the Abominable Snow Monster of the North), "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Patient history: Torments North Pole residents until a plucky elf relieves Abominable's pain by removing his teeth.

Hair-raising refrain: "Arrr!"

Diagnosis: Depression brought on by a medical condition.

"Maybe he had a bad toothache, that's what made him so ornery," guessed Kukral. "When they pulled out his teeth, he became really nice."

At the end of the television special, the "reformed" Bumble places a star atop the elves' Christmas tree.

"By fixing the medical condition, they helped with the mental health stuff," Kukral said.

Ebenezer Scrooge, "A Christmas Carol"

Patient history: A miserly old man who mistreats all he comes in contact with.

Catchphrase: "Bah humbug!"

Diagnosis: Victim of a near-death experience.

"Recent research has documented that persons undergoing such an event are often accompanied by a feeling of being out of one's body," Desoto said. "More to the point, studies of persons who report similar experiences have documented that there is an increased belief in the afterlife and less of a fear of death, often accompanied by a very positive change in personality and a sense of well-being."

Some patients have reported feeling awake, but separate from their bodies, during near-death experiences, she said.