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rynlingTo briefly return to the topic of "pro-psychotic" discourse, I want to add that it's entirely possible to handle these neurotypes compassionately + responsibly and still tell amazing stories about Lovecraftian sanity slippage.
Night in the Woods is a really, really good example.
Also, a short graphic novel I recently read and very much appreciated is Where Black Stars Shine, which is a super fun reworking of "The King in Yellow," a nineteenth-century short story (famous in Lovecraft circles) about a play that induces madness in anyone who watches a performance or even reads the script.
I feel like, if you present an actually realistic depiction of schizophrenia, it can add an incredible layer of nuance (and poetic beauty) to the broader theme of "madness." In any case, it's always cool when people feel comfortable telling stories about their own experiences with the full range of artistic tools at their disposal.
Night in the Woods is a really, really good example.
Also, a short graphic novel I recently read and very much appreciated is Where Black Stars Shine, which is a super fun reworking of "The King in Yellow," a nineteenth-century short story (famous in Lovecraft circles) about a play that induces madness in anyone who watches a performance or even reads the script.
I feel like, if you present an actually realistic depiction of schizophrenia, it can add an incredible layer of nuance (and poetic beauty) to the broader theme of "madness." In any case, it's always cool when people feel comfortable telling stories about their own experiences with the full range of artistic tools at their disposal.
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Date: 2026-02-06 02:37 pm (UTC)Cosigning everything you said. I can only hope people continue to tackle real topics, especially ones involving mental health, with the care it deserves. And also the depth it deserves! These kinds of things aren't black and white. And I'd love to see more inclusion of health issues in horror without it turning into medical ward torture bullshit every time. I also really loved that about Night in the Woods, bc it felt so normal and simple. This could happen to anyone. And sometimes that's more horrifying than eldritch creatures.
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Date: 2026-02-06 06:57 pm (UTC)Something that I still struggle with to this day is “either/or” thinking with regard to mental health and disability. It’s so important to have models for “both/and” situations!
Like, as someone with ADHD, I have issues with executive function. But it’s often the case that a work assignment is unreasonable to begin with!
As someone with social anxiety, I have issues with overthinking interactions in an unproductive way. But it’s often the case that some people are just assholes!
What I love about NITW is that Mae experiences an (entirely sympathetic) environment-induced episode that everyone sees and understands for what it is, but nobody ever calls her “crazy” or doubts what she’s saying simply because she’s the one saying it. Because there very much is
late-stage capitalisma death cult in the mines!I remember being totally blown away by that sort of narrative validation. I’m starting to see it more with autistic characters, and it would be nice to see it for other types of disabled characters as well.
Sorry for writing an essay in response lol. It’s just that you expressed this so well, and I wanted to build on it a little.