R P Bentall “A proposal to classify
happiness as a psychiatric disorder” JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS
18, 94-98 (1992). The abstract:
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.
Baedon