One of the most interesting psychiatric diagnoses is delusional disorder, which is pretty much what it sounds like. Someone has certain fixed delusions that are not subject to reality testing, no matter what evidence is presented to the contrary. I am reminded of this disorder whenever I visit the "Nick's Corner" forum of PPMB, but also when watching Daria and Artie the UFO contactee appears. It also comes to mind (a little) when Tiffany complains about being fat. Jake's issues with his dead father seem reality based, so they aren't delusional per se.A lot of people have delusions, but the only time those delusions come into conflict with society (and qualify as a disorder) is when someone asks the question, "Is this person a danger to himself/herself or to others?" and the answer comes up "Yes." If the person is not a threat, then he's a kook, a local character, someone ignored or tolerated. This sounds about like Artie, assuming he hasn't really been abducted by aliens as he claims. There is the possibility that Artie has some frightening delusions he hasn't mentioned, however, and that could be a problem.
Poke around with the online links to delusional disorder and see if some story ideas develop. Artie is surely not the only odd person in Lawndale.
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