Americans Quote by Carrie Fisher
““Statistics say that a range of mental disorders affects more than one in four Americans in any given year. That means millions of Americans are totally batshit. but having perused the various tests available that they use to determine whether you're manic depressive. OCD, schizo-affective, schizophrenic, or whatever, I'm surprised the number is that low. So I have gone through a bunch of the available tests, and I've taken questions from each of them, and assembled my own psychological evaluation screening which I thought I'd share with you. So, here are some of the things that they ask to determine if you're mentally disordered 1. In the last week, have you been feeling irritable? 2. In the last week, have you gained a little weight? 3. In the last week, have you felt like not talking to people? 4. Do you no longer get as much pleasure doing certain things as you used to? 5. In the last week, have you felt fatigued? 6. Do you think about sex a lot? If you don't say yes to any of these questions either you're lying, or you don't speak English, or you're illiterate, in which case, I have the distinct impression that I may have lost you a few chapters ago.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1996
The speaker mocks mental health statistics and diagnostic tests, highlighting absurdity and stigma while offering a satirical self‑screening list.
In simple terms: A sarcastic critique of mental‑health labeling and testing.
Question assumptions about mental‑health diagnostics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- online forums
- self‑assessment
- public discourse
- healthcare policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does satire affect public perception of mental illness?
- Can humor be a tool for awareness without harm?
The humor may downplay genuine suffering and discourage seeking help.