A proposal to classify happiness as a psychiatric disorder (Bentall, 1992)

[Jagube]

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.

A proposal to classify happiness as a psychiatric disorder - PMC

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 ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Richard Bentall wrote it as a parody of psychiatric diagnostic criteria, highlighting their flaws by absurdly applying them to happiness.

Bentall has confirmed in interviews that it critiques psychiatric orthodoxy and the medical model, not a literal proposal - though some media initially missed the joke.

Academic sources describe it as a "gentle parody" or satirical device to question how disorders are defined based on statistical abnormality and symptoms.