“Before you diagnose yourself with depression, first make sure you’re not surrounded by assholes”

“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying has frequently been credited to American-Canadian writer William Gibson, who has frequently denied authorship.
 
Notorious d.e.b.‏ tweeted the line on January 24, 2010.
 
The expression “surrounded by assholes” has long been popular in the workplace. “I’m surrounded by assholes!” was a joke in the Mel Brooks film comedy Spaceballs (1987).
 
[This expression has also been researched by the Quote Investigator.]
   
 
Wikiquote: William Gibson   
William Ford Gibson (born 17 March 1948) is an American-Canadian writer who has been called the “noir prophet” of the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction. Gibson coined the term “cyberspace” in his short story “Burning Chrome” and later popularized the concept in his debut novel, Neuromancer (1984).
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Misattributed
“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.” — thought to be Gibson’s words as a result of Twitter attribution decay, despite repeated disavowals. The source, according to Gibson, is Steven Winterburn. However, Steven Winterburn is NOT the original creator of that quote. The original quote is the creation of Twitter account holder “@debihope”
       
IMDb (The Internet Movie Database)
Spaceballs (1987)
Quotes
Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot! I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir! I’m doing my best!
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major Asshole: I did sir. He’s my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He’s an asshole sir.
Dark Helmet: I know that! What’s his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir. Asshole, Major Asshole!
Dark Helmet: And his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He’s an asshole too sir. Gunner’s mate First Class Philip Asshole!
Dark Helmet: How many assholes do we have on this ship, anyway?
[Entire bridge crew stands up and raises a hand]
Entire Bridge Crew: Yo!
Dark Helmet: I knew it. I’m surrounded by assholes!
 
Twitter
Rage McFluff‏
@solaana
I really hate my job today. Or rather, I hate the people who make me hate my job. I might like it here if I weren’t surrounded by assholes.
2:50 PM - 18 Jan 2010
 
Twitter
Notorious d.e.b.‏
@debihope
Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
10:23 AM - 24 Jan 2010
 
Twitter
Pennie Money‏
@penniemoney
“@itamusedme: Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by assholes”
5:02 AM - 31 Aug 2010
 
Twitter
Daisy Harris‏
@thedaisyharris
RT @5tevenw: Before you diagnose self with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by assholes.
4:45 PM - 1 Nov 2010
 
Twitter
Steven Winterburn‏
@5tevenw
Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
1:21 PM - 24 May 2011
 
Twitter
dizzylife1912‏
@dizzylife1912
Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not in fact surrounded by assholes’ - W Gibson
7:22 AM - 7 Jun 2011
 
Twitter
William Gibson‏
@GreatDismal
NOTE: Due to Twitter attribution decay, a tweet by @5tevenw is being incorrectly attributed to me. The one about idiots and depression.
2:37 PM - 28 Sep 2011
 
Twitter
William Gibson‏
@GreatDismal
RT @WideLightImages @GreatDismal What’s your (now) (in)famous quote about depression? [Actually not my quote. Never said it]
6:42 PM - 8 Dec 2011
 
Twitter
William Gibson‏
@GreatDismal
RT @brenorb @GreatDismal http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403136_10150644266319238_643434237_8946788_948005466_n.jpg … is that really yours? [No. Mistaken viral attribution. Retweeted it once, bingo]
10:38 PM - 18 Feb 2012
 
Google Books
Finding Love Again
By Carolyn Martinez
Hawkeye Publishing Pty Ltd
2015
Pg. 215:
There is a saying I like, “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem firstly check that you are not, in fact, surrounded by assholes,” (William Gibson)
 
Google Books
Dating as a Spiritual Adventure:
Avoid Red Flags, Rock the Journey and Find The One
By Jackie Blake
Bloomington, IN: Balboa Press
2016
Pg. ?:
There’s a tongue in cheek saying, “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by assholes.” There’s some real validity behind that saying.