The Rise of Unusual Public Behaviors in Paris: Are Psychiatric Issues on the Increase?

### Increasing Psychiatric Incidents in Paris?
In recent weeks, reports of individuals displaying unusual behaviors in public places have surfaced in Paris, notably cases involving a person licking the ground in businesses to the astonishment of witnesses. This phenomenon raises questions about the current state of psychiatric care in the city and whether these incidents are isolated or indicative of a broader problem.

As more stories circulate through social media and news outlets, it appears that the frequency of these occurrences is on the rise. One recent case involved a man who, driven by an uncontrollable impulse, entered stores to lick the floors in front of surprised shoppers, drawing significant attention from both the public and law enforcement.

### The Scope of the Issue
While the incidents may attract curiosity or laughter, they also illustrate serious psychiatric issues at play. According to police reports, the increase in such activities has overwhelmed emergency lines, with numerous calls from businesses reporting disturbances. Additionally, there have been other concerning incidents, such as public defecation in transportation systems and nudity in public places.

Loïc Dessertenne, a representative from the police union Alliance 75, cited a noticeable rise in psychiatric cases needing intervention. This observation was echoed by Antoine Pelissolo, head of psychiatry at Henri Mondor Hospital, who attributes the uptick to insufficient mental health resources and the closure of psychiatric beds.

### Rare Instances Instead of a Wave
Despite the sensational nature of these reports, healthcare professionals are not concerned about a widespread epidemic of public behaviors. Information gathered by healthcare source Doctissimo suggests that the number of psychiatric cases presenting at emergency services has not significantly increased, and these incidents remain rare and isolated events rather than a trend.

Experts suggest several psychological reasons for such behaviors, which may include:
– Perverse urges that manifest in aggressive actions.
– Autistic behavior that lacks aggression.
– Temporary psychotic episodes possibly related to drug use or mental health crises.
– Signs of early dementia.

### Conclusion
While these peculiar behaviors in Paris can be amusing in one light, they are indeed troubling in another. Addressing mental health issues effectively is essential to prevent such incidents from becoming more common. With the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, there’s a hope that the situation improves significantly before the influx of visitors to the city.