Depression is considered an illness, but happiness is also an extreme on the emotional spectrum. I think it takes quite a bit of self-deception and selective thinking to be happy. Is it any more sane or "real" than being depressed? Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not anti-happiness - after all, happiness is the healthier choice! (rough food equivalency charting affect on health: depression/deep-fried chicken topped with ice-cream v.s. happiness/a glass of V-8 juice with a shot of ginseng extract.)
2006-08-01 18:40:59 · 15 answers · asked by ? 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Lol...nice food analogy =)
I was thinking along the same lines and asked a similar question a few months or so back, which yielded very few responses. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgNcrhUpagalU_c5v1n3WKDsy6IX?qid=20060606142116AAhETuj *heh*
Of course your question may be worded more nicely =) I was trying to make a similar point. Perhaps it came out in a more pessimistic, negative way. My thoughts were, 'how can anyone be cheerleader-type happy when there are so many problems in the world'. Thank goodness there are cheerleaders, the world definitely needs sunshine. I'm certainly not a dreary depressed type. I like to think I'm a happy medium, serene most of the time, at peace with how things are. But oblivious happy...no. I think we need a new word to describe this middle state of emotion...how about content, complacent or perhaps sedated might be more appropriate *cheers*
2006-08-02 03:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Illness? Happiness? Hmmm
I have always heard that happiness is just an ill-usion, not an ill-ness. . .
Could it be a hormone imbalance?or something you ate?or someone you met?or a result of what you perceive as positive?
Everyone knows (from personal experience) that happiness is fleeting, and most would agree that there is not enuf of it to adequately go around. But an illness? you ask . . . I think not.
Now, as to 'being' happy - that is a bit of a different concept than happiness (the illusion), and it moves afar from your original question . . . therefore, I'll leave it there.
I am dyslexic, as is proven again, when applying your food analogy -
chicken and ice cream would not depress me, as v-8 and ginseng would. . .
variety certainly being my choice, as the greatest spice of life.
Serve me some mashed potatoes and gravy with the fowl - I'm happy!
2006-08-02 04:03:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Illness is by definition any condition that is detrimental to the proper functioning of the body.
Happiness increases endorphin production, balances brain chemistry and boosts the immune system. Happy people live longer, are generally healthier and have fewer illnesses with lesser symptoms.
It is the exact opposite of an illness. Happiness is a wellness!
2006-08-02 06:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by No Drama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness is the best illness that can happen to you. People strive all their lives for this illness but only a few people get sick. We all have experienced a taste of happiness at some point of our lives that is the reason people long for everlasting happiness and I am certainly one of those. Still not reached there but I am getting there.
2006-08-02 01:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by ash_m_79 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HAPPINESS is not an illness, but prolong unreasonable happiness is a sign of you losing control of reality and see everything as a bed of roses.
If so, then either the person is very naive and have not seen or had much exposure to things outside of the house, or the person is living in a world of him or herself. The person ought to see a doctor./ psychiatrist/ counsellor.
2006-08-02 01:45:21 · answer #5 · answered by choy_daniel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt consider it an "Illness" more like a condition one can find themselves in. Take the Dalai Lama for example, the guy has nearly no reason to be happy, and he is. He's is a totaly peacefull man, because he has trained himself to accept and deal with lifes' downsides and etc i don't think it possible to try to explain him, but hey if it is an illness and he's got it, i'd love to catch it!
2006-08-02 01:45:07 · answer #6 · answered by sandybeachsheets 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey like they say, ignorance is bliss. I have always been severely depressed, and I believe it is more abnormal to be happy than depressed, so it should be an illness. Perhaps just stupidiy, but I have never felt it. My IQ is also 131, so hey, that might expalin it.
2006-08-02 02:32:50 · answer #7 · answered by wendi_just_me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends upon what makes you happy. If hurting animals and people make you happy, then I would find that a disturbing mental illness.
It must be placed in context. Some people have valid reasons for feeling depressed (i.e. due to circumstances).
2006-08-02 02:17:05 · answer #8 · answered by mitch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness an illness? That's just weird, or course not..if only everybody could suffer from "that illness"!!! It's a definite sign of good mental health.
2006-08-02 03:11:14 · answer #9 · answered by sandpipers_r_free 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the AMA life is an illness, so naturally anything having to do with life is an illness.
2006-08-02 01:50:54 · answer #10 · answered by Robert F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋