The Daily Novel

They like the Goon Show. Because it contains some choice examples of manic humour.

This is probably not true of all manic depressives. But the nature of the disposition is that to live with yourself you need to develop a sense of humour.

In deep depression nothing seems to help. But in my own experience humour is the best medicine to temporarily lift you out of the introspective gloom. Starting with my sister, who in my childhood was the only person who could joke me out of a black mood.

Sometimes a television, radio or film comedy can have the same effect. You start laughing despite yourself. And once you start laughing the spell is broken.

Come to think of it. Another thing that can break the spell is the opposite. A really moving and powerful tragedy works sometimes. Because it reconnects you with the world outside yourself. Where tragedy is always happening somewhere on the planet.

As you will all know if you read the newspapers.