[Avery Andrews 931014.1314]
(Bruce Nevin 931014, moods & conversion)
Note that `conversion' is normally seen as an event, while mania &
depression are seen as states. Conversion would presumably be the
experience accompanying a successful reorganization at the system
level, but we seem to lack handy phrases for the preceeding state
(presumably the state of mind described by Dante at the beginning
of the divine comedy). On the other hand, mania and depression
seem to lack clear cut `resolution' experiences, but just end,
somewhat indistictly.
A problem with this idea is that the time-scales are wrong: if
depression is reorganization at a higher level than mania, it ought
to be less frequent and last longer (or rather, it's mild, presumably
functionally beneficial manifestation (mild melancholy?) ought to),
but I don't see clear evidence that this is true. On the other hand
it perfectly well could be in properly functioning people. I really
don't know.
Avery.Andrews@anu.edu.au