Emily McDonald

2/22/12

Period 4

Insanity

            A short essay written by Stephen King once began with the statement, “I think that we’re all mentally ill.” This statement, while meant to draw in the readers, also has a distinct truth to it. There is something wrong, sick, twisted, or unstable in the mind of everyone, however slight and inoffensive it might be. The human brain is so complex that there is infinite room for error, so the media portrayed archetype of what is average or normal is completely derisory. For the most part the unsound part of human nature is ignored; with the exception of psycho killer horror movies, it’s left to fester in the mind, and render one’s sense of normalcy unsteady. There are countless ways to classify the varying amount of crazy inside everyone, and everyone fits somewhere on the spectrum.

            Most people fall into the least offensive section of insanity; which is a very broad section. This ranges from the strange pet peeves and rituals developed over one’s lifetime, to nervous ticks like biting one’s nails or jiggling a foot when you’re anxious or unsettled. Those with diagnosed OCD or who suffer from anxiety attacks all started with innocent habits that went largely unnoticed. While the average person is not at risk for developing a full-blown disorder, the first stage symptoms and warning signs are still present. The most minimal signs of insanity also include the off-kilter and slightly morbid jokes we make with our close friends. The veneer that we place over the twisted side is peeled away, and we feel comfortable to bask in the mutual craziness that most close friends share.

            The next step up from ticks and sick tales is where the inner insanity starts to become socially unacceptable. These are the people you look at and wonder, “what is up with them?” The people who seem to have no filter from mental processing to mouth, the people who have no recognition of norms in society, and the people who occasionally mutter intensely to themselves. They’re usually incredibly intelligent in some field, be it math, art, or writing. Also, they’re often diagnosed with a learning disorder, or a some form of autism. They’re eccentric, unique, and a little bit freaky, but they’re essentially harmless. Think famous creative crazies, like Mel Gibson, Oscar Wilde, and Johnny Depp. While renowned and celebrated, their quirks and genius shine as much as their talents.