This Is What Being in a Madhouse Taught Me about Hope

Craziness is a perspective. Photo by Hoshino Ai

“When will society realize that the one who locks people up is crazier than those locked up.” — Graffiti at Borda Asylum

The first time I entered a lunatic asylum, it was on my own terms.

Like most kids, I was confused. I thought my hobbies and life’s purpose were the same.

I loved to draw and to write short stories and poetry. That’s why I started my career in advertising: to work as a creative. Until I became obsessed with understanding human behavior.

After graduating from college, I wanted to go beyond the behavioral psychology models I learned in advertising.

My exploration took me in various directions. I spent over a year studying psychoanalysis, and then, Gestalt, holistic approaches, you name it.

I never thought I’d found the answer inside a lunatic hospice.

Crossing the Borderline

“The road to creativity passes so close to the madhouse and often detours or ends there.” — Ernest Becker

My curiosity made me enroll at a Social Psychology sc…