Some decades back, I had a friend who was going through a bad patch (turned out to be clinical depression and anxiety, later treated with meds and a bit of psychotherapy—she's fine now). Anyway, she was so distressed that she had herself admitted to a local mental institution. Another friend and I went to visit her, to see how she was getting along and to show our support.

The attendant ushered us into a lounge area where a number of patients were gathered. While we visited with our friend, there was a woman over in the corner who was sort of jabbering and gibbering. Very paranoid, "They're out to get me!" sort of stuff. She would talk to anyone who would listen, or to no one in particular. Apparently she did that constantly. No one paid any attention to her.

You know, folks, I highly recommend that we do the same here.

Don Firth