Joseph Meyer on Nostr: Over the past year, I have seen all kinds of random found objects hung from trees ...

Over the past year, I have seen all kinds of random found objects hung from trees along nearby hiking trails I frequent, like Christmas tree ornaments: A handbell, a clothing price tag, tangled string, and candy bar wrappers among other things. Being a caregiver for a family member with a delusional disorder who has sometimes done similar things, knowing that homeless encampments are nearby, and having interacted with hikers who seemed delusional, my guess is pink flagging tape that recently appeared on trees in what appears to be a random fashion means whoever hung the other objects found a roll of it. A social scientist friend with a PhD who also hikes the trails suspects a more nefarious explanation. But he does not know serious mental illness like I do. If you know, you know.

Incidentally,, these no-fault symptoms should not be stigmatizing, just as symptoms of any illness should not be stigmatizing (i.e., shameful). What is shameful is responding to symptoms of an unchosen illness as if they are unethical or stigmatizing by sending the police, arresting persons who simply need help, and putting them in jail.

#MentalIllness
#MentalHealth
#Delusion
#Psychosis
#Stigma