Is it possible to confuse happiness with being sad?

Tom_Cruise

Like if you are really unhappy for a prolonged period of time that it becomes your 'default' state of mind - you think your happy when your really unhappy. Is this possible?

brummytom

No, they're opposites. I do think that sometimes there can be a perverse pleasure in wallowing in one's own sadness, though.

a fat guy

I think that's how abusive relationships are formed, so in that way, yeah.

hatrickpatrick

Not sadness as such, but it's definitely possible to confuse resignation with being happy. I've suffered from depression in the past and there are some really morbid and oddly cheerful moments.

For example, sometimes I'd find myself thinking "Sure none of your problems really matter, in the grand scheme of things this planet will one day be ravaged by a supervolcano eruption, a megatsunami or a collision with an asteroid, so realistically speaking why bother giving a f*ck?"

And in my state of depression, I actually found that a very cheerful thought, it cheered me up immensely.

I reckon it's something to do with the brain's way of trying to convince itself that the heartache it really cares about doesn't actually matter. It works. But it's not true happiness.

Banjo String

Well as some people aren't happy unless they're being whinging, whiny cnuts, and there are those that are never happy unless they are giving out about something, I think it might just be possible Tom.

wandatowell

SamHall wrote: »

Well as some people aren't happy unless they're being cnuts, .

Also this.

stateofflux

there can be a calm serenity to being utterly depressed out of ones mind. thats when i slap on closer by joy division.

seenitall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KKcUrdXWH0

Well, I been down so goddamn long
That it looks like up to me



No, I don't think it is easily possible, anyway. People usually know deep down when they are unhappy. Even when they're used to the unhappiness and it's comfortable.

weemcd

SamHall wrote: »

Well as some people aren't happy unless they're being whinging, whiny cnuts, who there are those that are never happy unless they are giving out about something, I think it might just be possible Tom.

^ THIS

There are some people that warped they have to act the absolute cùnt from they get up in the morning til they go to bed that night, (see cries of retail) that they only seem happy when they are giving someone a hard time and take pleasure from giving people grief.

It would seem they are that twisted they have no semblance of what happiness is, and confuse their own actions for happiness. See also, those who take great joy in the misfortune of others.

Ruudi_Mentari

It may be possible to distill a warm , fuzzy feeling from sadness however this is not to be dwelt on lest it leave you feeling ultimately cold, and wretched and scrambling for a more trusted source.

3ndahalfof6

If your are laughing while frowning, yes.

donegal_road

Id say people who suffer from bi-polar depression may have experienced this.. I have seen people who were very depressed suddenly become elated, and aren't sure why

wretcheddomain

Tom_Cruise wrote: »

Like if you are really unhappy for a prolonged period of time that it becomes your 'default' state of mind - you think your happy when your really unhappy. Is this possible?

I think you've answered your own question OP.

If someone is really unhappy for a long period of time then the newly formed default state is still a really unhappy mood by definition.

You're only suggesting is it possible to delude yourself into thinking your happy but even if this were true then you'd still be happy by definition as you couldn't prove the delusion.

If you think about the question in different parenthesis, would you not be angry because you were really angry for a prolonged period of time? I think you can see the fatuity that lies within that comparison and by extension your inquiry.

Marsden

Only in opposite land.

Allan Blandford

Hi Tom, why don't you ask your scientologist friends that question.
How much money have you given to them so far.
Would you not think you have been brainwashed by them !

Allan Blandford

Also did them scientologists tell you that l ron was a science fiction writer and that he was just making things up.

Allan Blandford

I will tell you if it is possible to confuse happiness with being sad if you give me money, just a small amount, 3000 thousand euros will do, cause I know everything, I know more than l ron hubbard.
PM and I we'll make arrangements