The Descent

A narrative device where a protagonist's mental state deteriorates gradually over time, often mirroring their physical surroundings or circumstances, as they become increasingly isolated, disillusioned, or consumed by external forces, leading to a profound loss of identity and agency.

The chilling dread of watching a mind unravel, the slow-motion horror of losing one's grip on reality. It's the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped within a fracturing psyche, where the external world becomes a distorted reflection of internal chaos.