Great question.
First thing that popped into my head was risk takers...is that how running with the Bulls started? Someone in a manic episode and thought , Hey great idea..and the guys standing around thought, hey that looks like fun.

I don't think slaves lived long if they didn't do what they should. I think economic status was hugely imporatant in deciding if your actions were those of a lunatic or eccentric.

A stong minded woman or one who questioned status quo could be locked up by he father, husband or son. Women didn't necessarily have to accually have an illness to get sent to the asylum.

In some cultures the mentaly ill were thought to be possessed by evil and tortured other cultures thought they spoke for the gods treated them with respect. I know which culture I'd rather be born in.

Oh right, shopping sprees, maybe they ran around and collected leaves, twigs started building something then ran off to gather some more stuff to build something different or they just took off to explore beyond the boundaries, Marco polo anyone?