I didn't realize there was a ranking." I said. "Sadie…
““I didn't realize there was a ranking." I said. "Sadie frowned. "What do you mean?" "A ranking," I said. "You know, what's crazier than what." "Oh, sure there is," Sadie said. She sat back in her chair. "First you have your generic depressives. They're a dime a dozen and usually pretty boring. Then you've got the bulimics and the anorexics. They're slightly more interesting, although usually they're just girls with nothing better to do. Then you start getting into the good stuff: the arsonists, the schizophrenics, the manic-depressives. You can never quite tell what those will do. And then you've got the junkies. They're completely tragic, because chances are they're just going to go right back on the stuff when they're out of here." "So junkies are at the top of the crazy chain," I said. Sadie shook her head. "Uh-uh," she said. "Suicides are." I looked at her. "Why?" "Anyone can be crazy," she answered. "That's usually just because there's something screwed up in your wiring, you know? But suicide is a whole different thing. I mean, how much do you have to hate yourself to want to just wipe yourself out?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker ranks mental health conditions, ending with suicide as the most extreme, highlighting societal stigma and the complexity of mental illness.
In simple terms: People are often labeled by severity, with suicide seen as the ultimate tragedy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the humanity behind each condition, not just a hierarchy.
Themes
mental health
stigma
suicide
societal judgment
Mood
empathetic
serious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- counseling
- public health policy
- education
- support groups
- crisis intervention
Key Concepts
psychology
human dignity
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling affect empathy?
- What can we do to reduce stigma around mental illness?
A Different Perspective
Suicide is a personal act, not merely a rank, and cannot be fully understood by comparison alone.