The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays

by Esmé Weijun Wang

Among psychiatric researchers, having a job is considered one of the major characteristics of being a high-functioning person. Most recently, Saks has spearheaded one of the largest extant studies about the nature of high-functioning schizophrenia. In it, employment remains the primary marker of someone who is high-functioning, as having a job is the most reliable sign that you can pass in the world as normal.

I became accustomed to playacting for the benefit of doctors: Look! I’m happy! I’m fine! In response to “Are you thinking about hurting yourself or others?”