Going crazy from writing never-ending term papers? Feeling a bit loony after pulling that all-night cram session?

Ataxia of the Mind, being performed by No Refund Theatre (NRT) this weekend, is a reminder that sometimes life is enough to push anyone off the deep end.

Written and directed by Chrissy Pryor (senior-English), Ataxia of the Mind is the story of a girl named Charisma who enters into a mental treatment center after she attempts suicide by jumping off a roof.

Pryor said she has known people in the past who were affected by mental illness and she doesn't want others to be silenced.

"I wanted to reduce the social stigma that's placed on mental illness in society," Pryor said. "The more people that are exposed to it and can learn about it, the better they can accept it."

Pryor said some might assume the play is depressing because of the serious subject matter, but added the show is actually very uplifting and has a lot of fun and weird aspects.

"It was difficult because there was so much I was carrying around in my mind for so long and I finally got to put it down on paper," she said. "It's an elaborate show; there's no one straight plot. It's sort of like puzzle pieces."

In the treatment center, Charisma finds herself surrounded by an eclectic group of people, representing all types of mental disorders.

"Brain cells" belonging to each patient do interpretive dances and reveal inner thoughts.

Charisma, played by Nicole Schultheis (graduate-elementary education), is a severely depressed college student who is misdiagnosed by her doctor as "narcissistic with various multiple personalities."

"She can't handle the norms of society," Schultheis said.

"She does things for the sake of crossing the boundaries of sanity."

Eventually, Charisma, a deep thinker who insists on over analyzing everything, comes to learn a lot about herself and how to stand up for her beliefs.

"I realize that I create the pain I feel but it is who I am anyway," Schultheis said.

Charisma feels lost in the world but meets one other person during her stay at the center who understands her feelings.

Jake Waldman (senior-psychology) plays Charisma's love interest, Felix. He describes his character as a "well-dressed mental patient," sporting oversized plush sneakers, stripped socks and a rabbit fur-trimmed bomber hat.

"Felix makes her realize that he's more introspective than she thought," Waldman said. "They form a bond."

Waldman, who recently worked at a mental illness treatment center, said he finds it a little strange that he was cast in this role, but said playing a mental patient is a lot of fun.

"I sort of identify with him," he said. "He's wild and manic and I like to think I'm a crazy kid."

Ataxia the Mind runs Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 9 p.m. in 111 Forum.