Happiness is a psychiatric disorder

[Guest guest]

In the June 1992 issue of the Journal of Medical Ethics, a clinical

psychologist proposed that happiness be classified as a psychiatric

disorder, arguing that happy people suffer from impaired judgement

that prevents them from acquiring a realistic understanding of their

physical and social environment.

" Happiness is a Psychiatric Disorder "

Happiness meets all reasonable criteria for a psychiatric disorder.

It is statistically abnormal, consists of a discrete cluster of

symptoms, there is at least some evidence that is reflects the

abnormal functioning of the central nervous system, and it is

associated with various cognitive abnormalities; in particular a lack

of contact with reality. Acceptance of these arguments leads to the

obvious conclusion that happiness should be included in future

taxonomies of mental illness, probably as a form of affective (mood)

disorder. This would place it on Axis I of the American Psychiatric

Association's " Diagnostic and Statistical Manual " . With this prospect

in mind, I humbly suggest the following:

Major affective disorder, pleasant type

Once the debilitating consequences of happiness become widely

recognized, it is likely that psychiatrists, social workers, ando

ther mental heath professionals will begin to devise treatments for

the condition. We can expect the emergence of happiness clinics, and

anti-happiness medications in the not too distant future.

- Wells