What does it actually mean to be "crazy"?

Greetings,
I am currently unearthing various concepts, and I find myself compelled to investigate a specific matter to complete my current line of thought. When we assert that an individual is insane, or observe how utterly irrational someone is behaving... 🙂
What is the true essence of madness?
How do you approach this through the lens of intellect, intuition, lived experience, your own established paradigms, or your particular framework of knowledge and mindset?
What specific criteria must be met for one person to label another as mad—or perhaps for an individual to declare themselves insane simply because they have attained a state of lucidity that others cannot grasp?
Let us begin... who among us is truly the mad one 🤣 and by what logic would you deem such a thing to be insanity?
Perhaps this inquiry is better suited for psychiatry or counseling 🤣? Or perhaps philosophy...

When someone just doesn't have the tools to deal with what reality is throwing at them—and starts showing symptoms of some kind of psychological disorder because of it—that’s when we label them as "sick." Honestly, a mental illness should be treated just like any other medical condition, and if someone actually poses a danger to others, they need to be isolated...
The truth is, we’re all dealing with our own little versions of madness, which eventually spills over into the collective—but everything stays fine as long as that craziness stays tucked away in our heads and remains socially acceptable by society's standards.
There aren't really any objective ways to measure collective insanity—it all just keeps going as long as it's happening and as long as it's biologically sustainable...

Psychosis is pure madness.

@Donna White50, a medal for bravery? 🏅 You certainly are a genius.
Nobody actually wants to be perceived as insane. 🙂 That is perfectly fine by me. It is quite reasonable and adaptive behavior.
Rather than descending into a destructive cycle of one-upmanship and intellectual posturing, I would prefer we engage in a more casual, colloquial dialogue. This brings me to a question: why is there such madness surrounding the idea that the majority of the population possesses some semblance of a moral and common-sense compass? Are those labeled as "crazy" actually truly deranged?
I should have clarified my point earlier; I am not merely referring to explicit, extreme insanity, but also to those "crazy" little eccentricities found in everyday human behavior.

The costs of consultations, the fees, the waiting periods—whether dealing with those deemed "insane" or just navigating the system—are staggeringly high in our part of the country. It makes me wonder: what is the exact reason, or perhaps some hidden industry secret, behind why medications and consultations aimed at achieving universal health are so prohibitively expensive? Is it simply because not everyone can afford to seek treatment when they need it?
Must someone be enriched every single hour by charging hundreds of dollars per hour for things that seem so obvious?!$167
It is pure curiosity regarding these strange extremes.

George Wood2 said:@Donna White50, a medal for bravery? 🏅 You certainly are a genius.
Nobody actually wants to be perceived as insane. 🙂 That is perfectly fine by me. It is quite reasonable and adaptive behavior.
Rather than descending into a destructive cycle of one-upmanship and intellectual posturing, I would prefer we engage in a more casual, colloquial dialogue. This brings me to a question: why is there such madness surrounding the idea that the majority of the population possesses some semblance of a moral and common-sense compass? Are those labeled as "crazy" actually truly deranged?
I should have clarified my point earlier; I am not merely referring to explicit, extreme insanity, but also to those "crazy" little eccentricities found in everyday human behavior.

The costs of consultations, the fees, the waiting periods—whether dealing with those deemed "insane" or just navigating the system—are staggeringly high in our part of the country. It makes me wonder: what is the exact reason, or perhaps some hidden industry secret, behind why medications and consultations aimed at achieving universal health are so prohibitively expensive? Is it simply because not everyone can afford to seek treatment when they need it?
Must someone be enriched every single hour by charging hundreds of dollars per hour for things that seem so obvious?!$167
It is pure curiosity regarding these strange extremes.

Look, we all work to make a living, and that includes psychologists and psychiatrists.
Mental pain runs way deeper and hits harder than physical pain, and honestly, the people helping others through that struggle are doing really noble, worthwhile work.

Like I was saying, our senses kind of distort reality, so you could say we're all a bit delusional—we're all "crazy" in our own way, and that craziness just multiplies as we act and build society.
When social trends push against our biological and spiritual foundations, that madness starts looking like clinical issues—basically, personal disorders caused by trying to adapt to a collectively insane society. Broken relationships just lead to more pain and frustration.
Civilization in general tends to pull us away from our true selves, making us increasingly disconnected and unrealistic. That's why so many people are seeing psychiatrists these days; modern life asks way too much of most people, and there's no escaping this chaos. We don't really have the option to isolate ourselves to find who we truly are, since we're all woven into the fabric of civilization—from education and survival to laws, currency, and whatever the latest trends are. Under the guise of freedom and equal rights, we're actually becoming more dependent on consumerism, ego, narcissism, and greed. And it's hard to live in those lies and illusions, let alone love ourselves and others sincerely...
The world is just so complex and the madness goes so deep that you can't fix it in two or three sessions, so psychiatrists charge a premium just to listen to everyone's nonsense. Because there's nothing heavier or deeper than soul-deep pain...

George Wood2 said:@Donna White50, a medal for bravery? 🏅 You certainly are a genius.
Nobody actually wants to be perceived as insane. 🙂 That is perfectly fine by me. It is quite reasonable and adaptive behavior.
Rather than descending into a destructive cycle of one-upmanship and intellectual posturing, I would prefer we engage in a more casual, colloquial dialogue. This brings me to a question: why is there such madness surrounding the idea that the majority of the population possesses some semblance of a moral and common-sense compass? Are those labeled as "crazy" actually truly deranged?
I should have clarified my point earlier; I am not merely referring to explicit, extreme insanity, but also to those "crazy" little eccentricities found in everyday human behavior.

The costs of consultations, the fees, the waiting periods—whether dealing with those deemed "insane" or just navigating the system—are staggeringly high in our part of the country. It makes me wonder: what is the exact reason, or perhaps some hidden industry secret, behind why medications and consultations aimed at achieving universal health are so prohibitively expensive? Is it simply because not everyone can afford to seek treatment when they need it?
Must someone be enriched every single hour by charging hundreds of dollars per hour for things that seem so obvious?!$167
It is pure curiosity regarding these strange extremes.

We all have our little eccentricities 😁 , meaning we are all somewhat unconventional in our thoughts, actions, or tastes. While nobody can truly define "normalcy," most people can recognize oddity in themselves and others—and if it is mild and harmless, it doesn't bother us. In fact, it can even be charming.

The issue arises when that scale of eccentricity expands, especially when it begins to threaten the individual or those around them. At that point, "madness" becomes dangerous, and people—both as individuals and as a society—seek ways to protect themselves. People distance themselves from what threatens them, and society always strives for self-preservation.

In the past, those who didn't fit in or struggled with mental health were treated quite harshly and often spent their time in strict isolation or institutions. Today, American society tries to help as much as possible, aiming to provide enough support so they can reintegrate and live within the community. Sometimes this is successful, and sometimes it is not.

A few years ago, I read quite a bit about the lives of various Zen masters, and based on what I read, it wouldn't be wrong to conclude that those teachers would be on psychotherapy and medication today. They were once celebrated as enlightened teachers believed to have reached higher states of consciousness and understood the true nature of reality; today, they might be diagnosed with psychotic disorders.

Times change, and so does our understanding of what is "normal" and how we treat those who are different.

Nowadays, we often hear the term "the new normal," which describes the rapid and constant shifts we face daily that continuously redefine the criteria for "normality" and "acceptability." We live in an era where these changes happen faster than ever, and we must find a way to adapt, or very little will remain "normal." 😁

Donna White50 said:Look, we all work to make a living, and that includes psychologists and psychiatrists.
Mental pain runs way deeper and hits harder than physical pain, and honestly, the people helping others through that struggle are doing really noble, worthwhile work.

Like I was saying, our senses kind of distort reality, so you could say we're all a bit delusional—we're all "crazy" in our own way, and that craziness just multiplies as we act and build society.
When social trends push against our biological and spiritual foundations, that madness starts looking like clinical issues—basically, personal disorders caused by trying to adapt to a collectively insane society. Broken relationships just lead to more pain and frustration.
Civilization in general tends to pull us away from our true selves, making us increasingly disconnected and unrealistic. That's why so many people are seeing psychiatrists these days; modern life asks way too much of most people, and there's no escaping this chaos. We don't really have the option to isolate ourselves to find who we truly are, since we're all woven into the fabric of civilization—from education and survival to laws, currency, and whatever the latest trends are. Under the guise of freedom and equal rights, we're actually becoming more dependent on consumerism, ego, narcissism, and greed. And it's hard to live in those lies and illusions, let alone love ourselves and others sincerely...
The world is just so complex and the madness goes so deep that you can't fix it in two or three sessions, so psychiatrists charge a premium just to listen to everyone's nonsense. Because there's nothing heavier or deeper than soul-deep pain...

I wouldn't go that far. Both can be excruciatingly painful, but if you're dealing with mental distress, you can usually still sleep. When it's physical, you're wide awake.

And we can't just label someone "insane" simply because they're struggling mentally.

In my view, insanity is when someone's perception of reality is so warped they can barely function... that's just how I see it.

Donna White50 said:Look, we all work to make a living, and that includes psychologists and psychiatrists.
Mental pain runs way deeper and hits harder than physical pain, and honestly, the people helping others through that struggle are doing really noble, worthwhile work.

Like I was saying, our senses kind of distort reality, so you could say we're all a bit delusional—we're all "crazy" in our own way, and that craziness just multiplies as we act and build society.
When social trends push against our biological and spiritual foundations, that madness starts looking like clinical issues—basically, personal disorders caused by trying to adapt to a collectively insane society. Broken relationships just lead to more pain and frustration.
Civilization in general tends to pull us away from our true selves, making us increasingly disconnected and unrealistic. That's why so many people are seeing psychiatrists these days; modern life asks way too much of most people, and there's no escaping this chaos. We don't really have the option to isolate ourselves to find who we truly are, since we're all woven into the fabric of civilization—from education and survival to laws, currency, and whatever the latest trends are. Under the guise of freedom and equal rights, we're actually becoming more dependent on consumerism, ego, narcissism, and greed. And it's hard to live in those lies and illusions, let alone love ourselves and others sincerely...
The world is just so complex and the madness goes so deep that you can't fix it in two or three sessions, so psychiatrists charge a premium just to listen to everyone's nonsense. Because there's nothing heavier or deeper than soul-deep pain...

A very astute and candid observation. What could possibly be the catalyst for such a frantic rush toward massive profits for a handful of anonymous elites, for whom millions labor under various subtle pressures and demands, effectively serving as a swarm of mindless drones?

mistybison said:We all have our little eccentricities 😁 , meaning we are all somewhat unconventional in our thoughts, actions, or tastes. While nobody can truly define "normalcy," most people can recognize oddity in themselves and others—and if it is mild and harmless, it doesn't bother us. In fact, it can even be charming.

The issue arises when that scale of eccentricity expands, especially when it begins to threaten the individual or those around them. At that point, "madness" becomes dangerous, and people—both as individuals and as a society—seek ways to protect themselves. People distance themselves from what threatens them, and society always strives for self-preservation.

In the past, those who didn't fit in or struggled with mental health were treated quite harshly and often spent their time in strict isolation or institutions. Today, American society tries to help as much as possible, aiming to provide enough support so they can reintegrate and live within the community. Sometimes this is successful, and sometimes it is not.

A few years ago, I read quite a bit about the lives of various Zen masters, and based on what I read, it wouldn't be wrong to conclude that those teachers would be on psychotherapy and medication today. They were once celebrated as enlightened teachers believed to have reached higher states of consciousness and understood the true nature of reality; today, they might be diagnosed with psychotic disorders.

Times change, and so does our understanding of what is "normal" and how we treat those who are different.

Nowadays, we often hear the term "the new normal," which describes the rapid and constant shifts we face daily that continuously redefine the criteria for "normality" and "acceptability." We live in an era where these changes happen faster than ever, and we must find a way to adapt, or very little will remain "normal." 😁

😁 👍

mistybison said:We all have our little eccentricities 😁 , meaning we are all somewhat unconventional in our thoughts, actions, or tastes. While nobody can truly define "normalcy," most people can recognize oddity in themselves and others—and if it is mild and harmless, it doesn't bother us. In fact, it can even be charming.

The issue arises when that scale of eccentricity expands, especially when it begins to threaten the individual or those around them. At that point, "madness" becomes dangerous, and people—both as individuals and as a society—seek ways to protect themselves. People distance themselves from what threatens them, and society always strives for self-preservation.

In the past, those who didn't fit in or struggled with mental health were treated quite harshly and often spent their time in strict isolation or institutions. Today, American society tries to help as much as possible, aiming to provide enough support so they can reintegrate and live within the community. Sometimes this is successful, and sometimes it is not.

A few years ago, I read quite a bit about the lives of various Zen masters, and based on what I read, it wouldn't be wrong to conclude that those teachers would be on psychotherapy and medication today. They were once celebrated as enlightened teachers believed to have reached higher states of consciousness and understood the true nature of reality; today, they might be diagnosed with psychotic disorders.

Times change, and so does our understanding of what is "normal" and how we treat those who are different.

Nowadays, we often hear the term "the new normal," which describes the rapid and constant shifts we face daily that continuously redefine the criteria for "normality" and "acceptability." We live in an era where these changes happen faster than ever, and we must find a way to adapt, or very little will remain "normal." 😁

It makes sense, really—we've drifted so far from our true nature that being at peace, unburdened, or selfless isn't even seen as "normal" in this modern madness we call life.
Massive amounts of people are popping antidepressants, feeling totally desperate, frustrated, insecure, lonely, and empty... yet nobody seems to have the guts to actually ask why...

What's the deal with this whole concept of "positive madness"?

George Wood2 said:A very astute and candid observation. What could possibly be the catalyst for such a frantic rush toward massive profits for a handful of anonymous elites, for whom millions labor under various subtle pressures and demands, effectively serving as a swarm of mindless drones?

The ultra-rich and powerful live in a completely different reality from the rest of us.
Someone sitting in a seat of massive influence tends to see that power as some kind of divine right they've earned, rather than just being the result of luck, circumstances, or simply being born into the right spot...
Driven by pure narcissism, the elite aren't really capable of any self-reflection—they’re way too busy pouring every ounce of energy into protecting and expanding their own reach and clout...
And even if they actually had the capacity for critical thinking, the world they inhabit—this selfish, ego-driven, cutthroat environment—basically punishes them for trying to be objective.

Most people don't get how our own flaws are tied to the chaos we cause in the world, and honestly, you can't run away from yourself. That's what creates this weird societal glitch where a narcissistic minority ends up running the show for everyone else. It’s a cycle that society can’t seem to break, and it’s been a constant since the dawn of civilization.
If you actually want to know who you are and live authentically, you have to step back from all the social distortion first. But that's incredibly hard to do—most of us are just caught up in the collective madness, especially since, deep down, we're all a little bit narcissistic and selfish, just wanting our slice of the pie, wanting to fit in, and craving a taste of that power ourselves...

Being "crazy" just means you aren't standard. And when you aren't standard, people spot it from miles away—like a satellite tracking a storm. But strangely enough, the labels stop sticking once you simply admit you're not normal.🤣

I’ll be the first to say it: I'm not normal.

Donna White50 said:It makes sense, really—we've drifted so far from our true nature that being at peace, unburdened, or selfless isn't even seen as "normal" in this modern madness we call life.
Massive amounts of people are popping antidepressants, feeling totally desperate, frustrated, insecure, lonely, and empty... yet nobody seems to have the guts to actually ask why...

People simply follow the crowd and chase trends instead of thinking for themselves, which inevitably leaves them feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.

Here is a banal example:

During Leto, everyone complains about being exhausted and claims they "have" to go on vacation. I always ask: "Why do you have to? Is there some legal requirement to fly abroad, switch transportation, stay in hotels, sightsee, swim, or surf in this heat? If you are tired, why not just stay home and sleep?" They look at me like I just landed on Mars.😁 They feel they "must" do it because "that's what everyone does" and "that's how it works."

How can someone like that ever be truly satisfied with themselves or their life?

Most people are just like that... quite simply, they don't think.

darksurfer4 said:What's the deal with this whole concept of "positive madness"?

It’s that feeling when you're ready to do something totally ridiculous just for the hell of it—something most people wouldn't dream of doing.

I guess.

I guess I call someone crazy if they’re just acting outside the norm when it comes to stuff that actually matters to me personally, or if they're just being interesting... It can be positive madness or just straight-up negative, depending on how you look at it.

But it just hit me... when I'm talking about people who actually have a diagnosis, I never call them crazy. I always say they're sick.

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result—but honestly? To me, the real madness is failing to grasp the Leader's wisdom...

Being crazy doesn't mean much, really—since it all just comes down to whoever gets to decide who's actually losing it.

So, who's really the crazy one in the end?

jadetinker85 said:It’s that feeling when you're ready to do something totally ridiculous just for the hell of it—something most people wouldn't dream of doing.

I guess.

Haha... honestly, that seems like a perfectly reasonable response to what one might call "positive madness." It's actually quite refreshing. 🙂 Just be yourself.

P.S. I really like your signature.
It reminds me of that moment when, amidst the deepest darkness, you catch sight of a light so intense it illuminates the very shadows surrounding it.

Carl Brown152 said:Being crazy doesn't mean much, really—since it all just comes down to whoever gets to decide who's actually losing it.

So, who's really the crazy one in the end?

Exactly! 🎯
It brings to mind a particular encounter I had with a psychiatrist. It wasn't even a matter of the doctor-patient relationship—per se—🤣 but rather that I knew him personally through some technical matters quite removed from his medical practice. To put it bluntly: this gentleman, a highly respected psychiatrist by all accounts, was far more "unhinged" than I could ever hope to be. And I assure you, I have no psychological anomalies that would lead me to misinterpret the situation through any biased or narrow lens.

Ha, precisely. Who is truly qualified to pass judgment?