Madness on a Mountain: For 15 Years, My Mom was Trapped in a Mutual Psychosis

Joelle Fraser recounts how her mother embraced a life of “grit,” living off-grid with her husband Mark, despite the grueling hardships. Fraser suspects her mother longs to escape their mountain shack, but cannot bring herself to leave. A therapist later identifies a shared delusion—folie à deux—between the couple, and only ill health eventually drives them down the mountain. Fraser wrestles with when to interfere with her aging mother and when to let her live her own life, a decision many children face, though rarely in such extreme circumstances.

During Mom’s therapy appointment, I waited at a nearby Starbucks, but having seen Dianna myself, I could imagine it well. I was sure Mom was immediately soothed by the serene decor of the office, the low-bubbling tank with its gently swaying fish, the lavender palette and soft couch pillows. Dianna, a statuesque blonde in her early 60s, was always dressed in flowy silk outfits in muted colors like dusty rose and light gold. Her large eyes brimmed with wise compassion, yet to me she had dispensed firm, sometimes uncomfortable insights. They were just what I needed.

Later at home, I asked Mom how it went.

“Well, she was really dramatic.”

“How so?”

“She diagnosed us with folie à deux.” She chuckled a little, then sighed. “It’s a real diagnosis. But ridiculously rare.”