IMHO I do not think a person needs to see the world around them in vibrant color to find happiness. Matter of fact, I do not think happiness can be found in this way. With regards to any type of mania, I do not think the person is in touch with the reality around them in the same way when they are stable. It just seems to them to be that way. Mania is a kind of lens that people experience life through which distorts reality albeit in ways that can feel good. IMHO this can get in the way of being able to find happiness and be content in their life. Being excited with allot of energy may feel good, but this is not the same thing as being happy. It just is another type of “drug” that this person is on.

There was one time I can say that I was actually happy and content in my life. It is more of a subtle feeling, an awareness in life. This was a surprise to me and felt very nice. I was not wired up in mood to feel this way. I was stable. I really do not think many people find themselves happy in their life. I think MI really gets in the way for this to happen. I think meds get in the way of this too, unfortunately. I was not on any meds when this happened to me. But then in time I ended up on meds. I would rather be stable. FWIW