t’s been two and a half months since I became a patient in a daycare unit at a psychiatric hospital, known as “the Village.” My initial diagnosis was schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. After a major psychotic manic episode last year, I’m now diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). I often feel lonely and isolated.

As I wander the historical grounds of the “village,” I meet patients from other units, many with schizophrenia, who are in long-term hospitalization. Despite their alogia (poverty of speech), these simple interactions comfort me. In this blog post, I’ll share things I’ve often heard from other patients and what I think they mean, using insights from Ricoeur’s “Interpretation Theory” and Deleuze and Guattari’s work on capitalism and schizophrenia.

Do you have a cigarrete I can borrow

Interpreting the statement “I need a cigarette” through Ricoeur’s lens can reveal deeper meanings behind this seemingly simple request. Here’s a breakdown using Ricoeur’s concepts:

1. Discourse and Context:

In the context of a mental health setting, “I need a cigarette” might reflect the patient’s immediate coping mechanism for stress or anxiety. It’s essential to consider their personal history with smoking and their current emotional state.

2. Metaphor and Symbol:

The cigarette symbolizes more than just nicotine; it can represent a small, controllable comfort in a world that feels overwhelming. It can also symbolize a craving for human connection or a need for something to fill a void.

3. Surplus of Meaning:

The request carries layers of meaning: the patient feels lost and reduced to basic needs, indicating a deeper emotional and existential struggle. They might be using the cigarette as a way to communicate a lack of fulfillment and a longing for connection, even if they can’t find the words to express it.

Using Deleuze and Guattari’s framework from “Anti-Oedipus,” the statement “I need a cigarette” can be interpreted in terms of desire and the broader context of capitalism and schizophrenia.

1. Desiring-Production:

• Immediate Need: The cigarette represents an immediate, tangible desire. It is a way to momentarily satisfy a craving and find relief, embodying the idea of desiring-production where the need for nicotine is a direct, unfiltered expression of desire.

2. Body without Organs (BwO):

• Loss of Self: The statement reflects a reduced sense of self, where the individual feels stripped down to basic needs. In Deleuze and Guattari’s terms, this could be seen as a state where the person is seeking a Body without Organs (BwO), a state free from structured constraints, but finds themselves in a state of lack and immediate craving.

3. Capitalism and Desire:

• Limited Options: In a capitalist context, the patient’s lack of access to other forms of fulfillment (like alcohol or weed) highlights how their desires are mediated by available commodities. The cigarette becomes a symbol of a commodified means of coping, reflecting how capitalism shapes and restricts avenues for fulfilling desire.

I am the Messiah

Interpreting the statement “I am the messiah” using Ricoeur’s framework can provide a richer understanding of the patient’s meaning. In Jewish tradition, the messiah is a figure of redemption who “could be anyone,” implying humility and universal potential. When a patient identifies as the messiah, it might symbolically express a desire to transcend their ego, suggesting they see themselves as having the power to make a significant positive impact, despite feeling like “anyone.” This perspective highlights their struggle with identity and their aspiration for profound change and healing.

Here’s a breakdown through Ricoeur’s lenses:

1. Discourse and Context:

Understanding this claim involves placing it within the context of the patient’s life, cultural background, and current circumstances. It’s essential to consider the historical and personal narratives that shape their identity.

2. Metaphor and Symbol:

The term “messiah” serves as a powerful symbol. By claiming to be the messiah, the patient might be using metaphorical language to express a sense of unique purpose or a desire for transformation.

3. Surplus of Meaning:

Ricoeur emphasizes that language often carries more meaning than what is immediately apparent. The statement might signify deeper feelings of inadequacy, a yearning for recognition, or an intense desire to contribute positively to the world.

g to address their underlying needs and concerns more effectively.

“I am the Messiah” – A Deleuze and Guattari Perspective

When a patient in the hospital declares “I am the messiah,” it can be interpreted through the lens of Deleuze and Guattari’s theories from “Anti-Oedipus.” Here’s a breakdown:

1. Desiring-Production:
   • The statement “I am the messiah” represents an expression of desire, an attempt to construct a meaningful identity amidst their fragmented sense of self. In this context, the patient is producing a form of identity that symbolizes ultimate power and purpose, which stands in stark contrast to their feelings of powerlessness.
2. Body without Organs (BwO):
   • Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of the Body without Organs (BwO) refers to a state where a person tries to escape the structured, organized constraints imposed by society and their own psyche. By declaring themselves as the messiah, the patient might be attempting to transcend these constraints, seeking a state of pure potentiality and unstructured being.
3. Capitalism and Schizophrenia:
   • In a capitalist society, identity and power are often commodified. The declaration of being the messiah can be seen as a rebellion against this commodification, an assertion of intrinsic worth and potential that defies societal norms and expectations. It symbolizes a desire to reclaim personal agency and significance in a world that often reduces individuals to their economic and social roles.

Be Well, Get Better” – Maintaining Humanity and Empathy

Despite their struggles, many patients still convey messages like “Be well, get better,” reflecting their inherent kindness and empathy. These statements remind us that they remain human beings with good intentions, capable of feeling and expressing compassion. It’s crucial to recognize their humanity and the depth of their good intentions, even when their ability to communicate is limited.

Living in “The Village”: A Patient’s Perspective

It’s been two and a half months since I became a patient in a daycare unit at a psychiatric hospital, known as “the Village.” My initial diagnosis was schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. After a major psychotic manic episode last year, I’m now diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). I often feel lonely and isolated.

As I wander the historical grounds of the “village,” I meet patients from other units, many with schizophrenia, who are in long-term hospitalization. Despite being borderline non-verbal or very neglected, I’ve found that many of these patients are eager to communicate and initiate conversations, despite their meager means to carry them. These simple interactions, though limited, provide a sense of comfort.

“I am the Messiah” – A Deleuze and Guattari Perspective

When a patient in the hospital declares “I am the messiah,” it can be interpreted through the lens of Deleuze and Guattari’s theories from “Anti-Oedipus.” Here’s a breakdown:

1. Desiring-Production:

• The statement “I am the messiah” represents an expression of desire, an attempt to construct a meaningful identity amidst their fragmented sense of self. In this context, the patient is producing a form of identity that symbolizes ultimate power and purpose, which stands in stark contrast to their feelings of powerlessness.

1. Body without Organs (BwO):

• Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of the Body without Organs (BwO) refers to a state where a person tries to escape the structured, organized constraints imposed by society and their own psyche. By declaring themselves as the messiah, the patient might be attempting to transcend these constraints, seeking a state of pure potentiality and unstructured being.

1. Capitalism and Schizophrenia:

• In a capitalist society, identity and power are often commodified. The declaration of being the messiah can be seen as a rebellion against this commodification, an assertion of intrinsic worth and potential that defies societal norms and expectations. It symbolizes a desire to reclaim personal agency and significance in a world that often reduces individuals to their economic and social roles.

“Be Well, Get Better” – Maintaining Humanity and Empathy

Despite their struggles, many patients still convey messages like “Be well, get better,” reflecting their inherent kindness and empathy. These statements remind us that they remain human beings with good intentions, capable of feeling and expressing compassion. It’s crucial to recognize their humanity and the depth of their good intentions, even when their ability to communicate is limited.

The Impact of Total Institutions – Insights from Erving Goffman

According to sociologist Erving Goffman, one of the significant consequences of being in a “total institution” like a psychiatric hospital is the loss of identity, leading to “institutionalization.” In closed psych wards, patients have minimal contact with the outside world, and they experience limited privacy and autonomy. Their every movement and interaction are documented, and they often have no control over their medication and treatment schedules. Some patients are required to wear uniforms instead of their clothing, and much of what they say is dismissed as delusional mumbling. This institutionalization effect occurs even in the best mental health facilities. Furthermore, potent antipsychotic medications can cause significant side effects, impairing cognition and speech, further complicating patients’ ability to communicate effectively.

Two Encounters in “The Village”

Encounter 1: While wandering in the “village” on Saturday, I saw a beautiful woman with gray hair and a nose piercing. She was sitting in the forest near one of the units, crying uncontrollably. I continued my route, doing a “round” on the village grounds. When I came back, she was still there, still crying. I turned to her and asked softly, “Which unit are you from?” assuming she was an in-patient going through rough times. “I’m not from any unit,” she said. “I am a visitor. Please leave me alone.” I was left wondering who she was crying for—her father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or just a friend?

Encounter 2: The other day at the canteen, I saw a patient with a bandage over his nose. “What happened to you?” I asked. “Someone from A unit (the closed ward) bit me,” he replied. “Did you at least fight back?” I asked. “No,” he answered. “But this guy spent four days in solitary confinement.”

Refernce

Alogia. (2023, September 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alogia

Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1972). Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia. Les Éditions de Minuit.

Goffman, E. (1961). “On the Characteristics of Total Institutions: The Inmate World.” In Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Anchor Books, pp. 1-124.

Ricoeur, P. (1976). Interpretation Theory: Discourse and the Surplus of Meaning. TCU Press. Available at: Google Books.