Are people happy.

[mudflap]

Are people as happy and contented as they let on? i confess i am not and i am hopeless at hiding it if i have a problem or problems it is etched on my face.

It seems everyone else i know sail along perfectly well or are they hiding something?
i dont begrudge anyone having a happy time i just wonder am i hopeless at coping or are people masking how they truly feel

[redman41]

I sympathise with anyone who suffers from depression but I am not qualified medically in being able to understand the way the Human mind works in these circumstances !
Being as it is not a Physical problem where you can see the damage, it is instead a hidden symptom if that is the correct way of putting it !
Rowan, I understand and feel for you when you are not your bright and bubbly self, and if I have anything to do with it you will not be unhappy again !
Squad, you can heal her medically whilst I have my wicked ways with her whilst she's Handcuffed to the bed !! :-))

[Sqad]

redman.....just forget it.........I want to play the wicked one.

[wolf63]

There is humour throughout this thread - but we are talking about mental health problems.

When I was first diagnosed as being Bipolar about 15 years ago I didn't really talk about it - but when I did start talking about it I was amazed at how many people had either suffered from mental health problems or had a close relative or friend who did.

Talking about it really does help. Seeing the humour in life helps too.

[redman41]

OK Squad I give in, I'll put her on the next Plane providing you send Mrs Squad over to me for a change of scenery ! :-))

[ttfn]

Quite so Susan. There has been a lot of input on this thread, some of which has veered from the point of the op. Mudflap has made no comment on it thus far, I hope she has not been frightened off.

[paddywak]

Well, in 2001 I had a stroke which luckily was fairly minor but it certainly made me look at things in a different light. I've a great woman and family, no major money problems and though I had some after effects of the stroke I'm as fit mentally and physically as you'd expect somebody to be at the ripe old age of 62, so yes I'd say I'm happy.

[rowanwitch]

Now the boys have finished being silly.... Can I say when I am well I really appreciate the things that bring real joy....seeing the birds going mad round the feeders in the garden, or watching a frog sitting on one of the lily pads in the pond...talking with friends etc....and now just an email from himself makes me smile... So when I am happy/content I am really aware of those feelings because there are the bad feelings to compare them to...in the same way we are unaware of the light when there is no darkness to create contrast...

Mudflap....at least if your feelings show on your face...people can recognise them and respond...be honest about how you are feeling. ..if you feel bad accept the feeling and know it will pass...but also when you do feel good accept that too

you seem to be making value judgements in your post asking if you are hopeless at coping....perhaps you are more honest and in touch with your feelings self awareness is a positive attribute..try looking at how you feel from that perspective...add value to your thoughts

[Greedyfly]

I can honestly say that I am rarely happy and have rarely been happy throughout my life. I was an unhappy child and have mostly been an unhappy adult. I envy those who are carefree and/or happy.

[Greedyfly]

I would like to add that I too have and do suffer from depression and believe this is why I am a generally unhappy person. I am very negative and always have been. The downward spiral is no fun at all and certainly not something you can just snap out of. I sympathise with those who suffer with any form of it - it is awful to always feel like it;s the end of the world!

[rowanwitch]

Greedy...have you ever had proper counselling.... you might also be helped by cognitive behaviour therapy... would certainly be worth exploring... can help you change your perspective
there is joy out there perhaps you have never learned how to recognise it....

[4getmenot]

I very rarely get upset about my life. I do get alot of bad luck, but its stupid things that happen so usually makes me laugh. Yer I dont have a job but I have great friends, great family and a man to love, so yer I'm as happy as a pig in sh!t :-)