What are the most interesting old insane asylum stories?

One old insane asylum story is about the overcrowded conditions. In some asylums long ago, there were far more patients than the facilities could handle. Patients were often crammed into small rooms with little to no proper medical attention. Some were left in straitjackets for long periods as a form of 'control'.

In the short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the female protagonist is confined in an asylum - like room. Her slow descent into madness as she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper is a fascinating and disturbing exploration of the female psyche in a restrictive environment.

Bedlam in various works of fiction could be considered very famous. Historically, it was a real asylum in London, and in fictional portrayals, it has often been depicted as a place full of horror and mystery. It has been a setting where the line between the sane and the insane is blurred, and the inhumane treatment of patients has sometimes been a central theme.

The idea of the people who were once in the asylum also adds to the terror. These were often people with mental illnesses, some of whom may have committed violent acts. In the stories, their presence or the remnants of their presence, like their screams still echoing in the halls or their handprints on the walls, is really frightening. Also, the fact that many asylums have a history of cruel treatments in the past makes the place seem even more haunted and scary.

The most famous one might be the story of the nurse. She used to take care of the most violent patients. One night, a patient attacked her and she died. Now, her ghost is often seen in the patient wards. She seems to be still doing her duty, checking on the beds and making sure the patients are okay, even in the afterlife.

The tale of the 'White Lady' is also well - known. She is often seen near the old chapel in the asylum. Legend has it that she was a patient who found solace in the chapel but met a tragic end. Now, she is said to appear as a white - clad figure, sometimes with a sad expression on her face. Many believe that she is still mourning her own death and the loss of her hope.

There was a patient who was known for his incredible memory. He could recall every detail of his life before coming to the asylum. He would often tell the other patients and the staff about his adventures as a young man, and his stories became a source of entertainment and mystery in the asylum.

The most famous one might be that of the nurse who committed suicide in the asylum. Her apparition has been seen near the medicine storage area where she used to work. It's said that she still seems to be checking the medications, even in death.

Well, in some insane asylum horror stories, there could be patients with unexplained powers. For example, a patient who could make others see their worst nightmares just by looking at them. Also, there might be a story where the asylum was built on an ancient burial ground, and the spirits of the dead torment the living in the asylum. There could also be a story about a cruel experiment that went horribly wrong and created a monster - like creature within the asylum.

One sad story could be about patients who were wrongly committed. They might have been suffering from something treatable like depression but were locked away due to lack of understanding in the past. Their cries for help were ignored, and they lost years of their lives in a place that didn't really help them get better.