+357 Anyone who says "Happiness is a choice" is an idiot. Do they really think you're choosing to be in a crippling state of depression? amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

More or less allow rather than choose. Essentially, happiness remains a choice.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ask a depressed person if the want to be happy. How many do you think will say no?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ask a bum if they want to be successful. How many do you think will say no?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

A person chooses how they deal with and view a situation, which leads to happiness/unhappiness. It's all about how you perceive your life; happiness is a mindset.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think this person is talking about people who say that in the case of actual clinical depression, though, which is (as far as I know) a chemical imbalance as opposed to a mindset.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Chemical imbalances in the brain are often the result of things we can control. For example, stress can exhaust adrenaline which can cause an imbalance. If the person dealt with the stress in a healthy way, the imbalance would not occur.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh, okay. I wasn't aware of that. :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ah.... I have moderate chronic depression from a hormonal imbalance in my brain. I've started taking medication for it and I've gotten a lot better, but a lot of times I'll be happy and cheerful when out of nowhere I have this random meltdown consisting of feeling hopeless and worthless. It's gotten to the point where I'm afraid to be alone because that is when I tend to explore the dark recesses of my mind. I don't know how to vote, though, because it's partially a conscious choice and partially chemical.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That doesn't really prove your point. If you're saying about actually getting up and trying to make yourself happy I know from experience that doesn't work.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I totally agree with this. Even if you're not clinically depressed, but just feeling sad or in a bad mood or whatever, you can't really force yourself to suddenly be happy again.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Alot of chemical imbalances, like the ones involved in clinical depression, are not controllable. They may seem to be, like just exersize and you will feel better, and then be happier. When you are depressed, you don't have the energy or the will to do those things, but they still want to be happy. Even someone without depression can't go out and think "I'm going to be happy today" it doesn't work. Sure your attitude can help and the wanting to be happy helps to. But you just can't choose to be happy. Next time, read alittle bit up on the topic.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The problem with answering this question is that happiness cannot truly be defined. Therefore, can happiness really be a "choice." We can only seek what we think will lead to happiness, even if it leads to depression.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"We can only seek what we think will lead to happiness"--if by that you mean to find happiness by any external circumstance--you a surely mislead. To rely on the exterior world for contentment within yourself is to remain forever subject to the up-and-down roller coaster changes that would inevitably define the parameters of your emotions. Contentment means being at peace inside yourself even when you're not "getting what you want," as contentment in itself is a form of happiness.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"Chemical imbalances" or not, we have more control over our lives than a lot of people will care to admit.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Indeed we do, but even with conscious choice medically diagnosed depression doesn't just go away. We control the symptoms by avoiding stress, exercising, and eating a healthy diet, then we see the symptoms gradually improve and hope that we don't have another panic attack in the middle of Geometry. Depression itself is chemical, but choosing to do something about it is a conscious mental choice.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ultimately, it is a choice. Some people do not have the power to make this choice because they are so deeply controlled by the depression.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Happiness is always a choice

by Anonymous 13 years ago

This makes me so fucking angry. I can go out, put a smile on my face and say "I'm going to be happy today." I can look the perfect image of happiness. It doesn't mean I am. Depression IS NOT a fucking choice! Anyone who says differently obviously haven't felt the pain of depression. Every fucking day, people battle depression. They are most likely doing all they can. I really wish that all the people who said this shit had depression. Just for one week, I couldn't wish more on any person. No matter how cruel they are.Then see what they say. All you're doing is putting more pressure, confusion and pain on people with depression.

by Anonymous 13 years ago