A Proposal to Classify Happiness as a Psychiatric Disorder

By ,

(In other recent science-y news that does not pertain to the Higgs-Boson particle…)

Richard P. Bentall, a clinical psychologist, argues the following:

It is proposed that happiness be classified as a psychiatric disorder and be included in future editions of the major diagnostic manuals under the new name: major affective disorder, pleasant type. In a review of the relevant literature it is shown that happiness is statistically abnormal, consists of a discrete cluster of symptoms, is associated with a range of cognitive abnormalities, and probably reflects the abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. One possible objection to this proposal remains–that happiness is not negatively valued. However, this objection is dismissed as scientifically irrelevant.

This is amazing; give it a read for yourselves here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1376114/.

Can you think of other conditions currently not classified as psychiatric disorders that could be?

Man, I love science.

—

Urooba Jamal (@uroobajamal) is a 3rd-year International Relations student who takes a lot of pride in having made Orientalists sob uncontrollably since 1992. On campus, she's a Residence Advisor & a Research Assistant at the Institute of Asian Research. Off campus, she's flaunting her neo-marxist-sometimes-liberal-seldom-realist-definitely-feminist-post-modern-constructivist & 'xenophilic' self. She tweets (a lot) & blogs (a little): http://underuroobasumbrella.blogspot.ca/

Related Topics

terryman

Urooba Jamal (@uroobajamal) is a 3rd-year International Relations student who takes a lot of pride in having made Orientalists sob uncontrollably since 1992. On campus, she's a Residence Advisor & a Research Assistant at the Institute of Asian Research. Off campus, she's flaunting her neo-marxist-sometimes-liberal-seldom-realist-definitely-feminist-post-modern-constructivist & 'xenophilic' self. She tweets (a lot) & blogs (a little): http://underuroobasumbrella.blogspot.ca/