"Finding Nemo" is all about getting over your fears and overcoming mental obstacles.

For example:

Marlin was a paranoid overprotective father who constantly lives in fear.

Dory has a learning disability.

Nemo has a bad fin, equivalent to a club-foot. (He’s literally struggling half the movie.)

Yet they overcome these obstacles with determination, being that they are small aquatic fish, and no bigger than a silver dollar-sized pancake.

However, in "Finding Dory," we’re introduced to another mental obstacle, an obstacle that shouldn’t be in a kids’ movie. I understand this is a kid’s move. But it does have adult themes and maybe even portrayals of PTSD. Nemo is a prime example of PTSD.

In the scene, in particular, Dory recalled a specific memory from her past and also recalled the names of her parents. However, she can’t seem to understand to be quiet despite everyone shushing her.

“Jenny and Charlie!”

It was a squid, a GIANT squid at that one. A GIANT SQUID that chases them and realistically could kill them if he could. The squid grabs Nemo and tries to eat him with his pincers.

Spoiler, he’s miraculously saved.

Afterward, Marlin tends to his son like a good father and also scolds Dory for bringing them on a wild goose chase. But while he’s scolding Dory, Nemo is talking to himself to calm himself down. Despite being “okay.”

Nemo was very young in the first movie, just getting out of his sheltered household and he was immediately taken to be someone’s pet. Almost gets killed by a filter and is flushed into the sewer.

He’s been through a lot. However, the only near-death experience he’s had before that is being killed by a filter…

Or…

Darla.

So, getting eaten by a giant squid probably tops his list. Yet, he’s still willing to go out on an adventure.

Dory has a pretty messed up life too.

She’s been lost for almost all of her life and she can’t seem to remember anything. But she can continue to be happy all of the time and just swim.

I’d like to interpret the message being portrayed as happy because it’s Disney.

I guess it means no matter how small you are or how big the challenge may be, if you really want it, then you can do it.

I’ll follow that advice from now on and just keep swimming.