Inappropriate Happiness
Euphoria is an understandable side effect of many drugs. But I came across the phrase "inappropriate happiness" while doing a little on-line research about a another prescription. Strange that I am suddenly picky - before my hip surgery I was known to dip into the veterinary prednisone for a bit of relief. (I survived unscathed but my doctor had a few bouts of apoplexy.)

Inappropriate happiness. I don't think (I hope...) that they mean schaddenfreude. Are they just trying to interpret euphoria for the stupid? (And I may well have already established a certain level of stupidity.) And then what is appropriate happiness? Should this warning be read through a different hermeneutic for the Christian? We certainly know of people who should, by societal norms, be dismally unhappy, but are joy filled souls. And also there are those who have every reason to be "happy," but aren't, despite any underlying psychiatric illness.

I confess to having many moments that could be called inappropriate happiness - drug free! And I just can't imagine calling my physician to say, "I'm very happy - and I don't know why." We'll wait 'til it's time to open that envelope from ComEd. If I don't have a moment of extreme dysphoria, we'll call it "loss of contact with reality" and I'll turn myself in to the proper authorities.