Depression

Not at all the same as unhappiness, though people sometimes use the word as if it is, depression is a clinical condition which leads to feelings of lack of self worth, lack of motivation and energy and a general blackness of mood that can make it hard to carry on a normal life.

Happiness is the aim of someone with depression though it can seem a distant hope, and exhortations to cheer up and look on the bright side are about as useful as suggestions that someone with a broken leg pop out for a little light sprint hurdling.

Though various talking cures have been attempted, it is now generally accepted that clinical depression is a result of serotonin deficiency in the brain, and drugs which encourage the brain to produce more serotonin are very effective in reducing depression.

This also leads some psychiatrists to believe that happiness is at the opposite end of the scale that has depression at the other end, and people with a naturally sunny disposition are simply people with a healthy and well regulated serotonin supply.

But even if this is the case, doesn't it make sense to act as if you are in complete control of your potential for happiness and try to achieve the highest possible score on the jollyometer?