What experience or evidence do you base your answer on?
2007-09-16 05:06:08 · 11 answers · asked by Zag 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
A lack of happiness is called Anhedonia and is a symptom of depression as well as some other illnesses. It is not an illness in itself, just the absence of pleasure in anything you do. It can be helped with medication to some extent but the underlying problem needs to be dealt with in some form of therapy as well for better recovery.
I base this answer on the fact that I am a long-term sufferer of depression and know from first-hand experience how much each treatment works. I am also a psychology undergrad.
2007-09-16 05:36:57 · answer #1 · answered by John R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seem to ask questions about happiness -- or a lack thereof. If you don't feel joy at all, then you may be depressed. Clinical depression has many symptoms ranging from being suicidal to having low affect (not being able to experience emotions). Depression can also manifest itself in an inability to motivate yourself to do anything. There are many many more symptoms of depression.
Your best bet would be to see a psychiatrist who could evaluate you on a continuum. He/She could prescribe medications and/or therapy to help you deal with your depression if diagnosed.
Best of luck to you!
2007-09-16 05:16:37 · answer #2 · answered by MadameZ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depression is when you feel that there is no way out of whatever problem you have, when (mind the cliche) there is no light at the end of the tunnel. this is what leads to suicide, self-harm, self-punishment etc. it is a severe feeling of sadness that can last months even years.
A lack of happiness is a passing moment when you feel incredibley sad that can last a few days, it does not drive you to anythig serious as stated above.
my experience - the last few montyhs i moved to scotland things that happened up there made me turn to drink and class a's. it all came to a head the last few weeks - i almost od'd on cocaine and i sliced up my arm. even though i have been taken in by a family member in england i cant shake the same feelings as i had before - not as severe but they're still there.
2007-09-16 05:23:05 · answer #3 · answered by tasha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Eastern and Western philosophies view the topic of depression differently. In the West, we consider depression to be an extended and prolonged state of unhappiness. In the East, boredom and depression are closely related. In boredom, people think. With no clear idea of what to think about, thoughts often stray to the that which is depressing.
2007-09-16 05:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by guru 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lack of happiness is normal and depression needs to be treathened,by the professional mental health care
2007-09-16 05:28:06 · answer #5 · answered by sweetie29 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depression is a mental health problem that with a doctors help can be treated.Happiness you have to make it.
2007-09-21 23:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by Ollie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its kind of like Light &darkness. There is no such thing as darkness, it is the absense of light. There is no such thing of depresion, it is the absense of happiness.
2007-09-21 14:39:29 · answer #7 · answered by Patrick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lack of happiness is phase you go through and depression is a longer and deeper phase you go through
2007-09-16 06:41:42 · answer #8 · answered by pinkish 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
depression is a mental disorder
duh
2007-09-16 05:16:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
One is sadness and one is wanting to die.
2007-09-21 17:31:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋