--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In our family \"whim-wham\" is code, a…" description: "\"“In our family \"whim-wham\" is code, a defanged reference to any number of moods and psychological disorders, be they depressive, manic, or schizoaffect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/david-lovelace-43075_bipolar_in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defang_126316.jpg" --- # In our family "whim-wham" is code, a defanged reference to… ![“In our family "whim-wham" is code, a defanged reference to any number of moods and psychological disorders, be they depressive, manic, or schizoaffective. Back in the 1970s and '80s - when they were all straight depression - we called them "dark nights of the soul." St. John of the Cross's phrase…” quote by David Lovelace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/david-lovelace-43075_bipolar_in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defang_126316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/david-lovelace-43075_bipolar_in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defang_126316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/david-lovelace-43075_bipolar_in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defang_126316.jpg) > ““In our family "whim-wham" is code, a defanged reference to any number of moods and psychological disorders, be they depressive, manic, or schizoaffective. Back in the 1970s and '80s - when they were all straight depression - we called them "dark nights of the soul." St. John of the Cross's phrase ennobled our sickness, spiritualized it. We cut God out of it after the manic breaks started in 1986, the year my dad, brother, and I were all committed. Call it manic depression or by its new, polite name, bipolr disorder. Whichever you wish. We stick to our folklore and call it the whim-whams.”” [David Lovelace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lovelace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker uses the term “whim-wham” to describe varied mental health struggles, linking them to historical spiritual language while acknowledging modern diagnostic labels. **In simple terms:** Whim-wham refers to mental health issues, framed in personal folklore. Key Takeaway Recognize and name mental health experiences. Themes mental health stigma language personal narrative diagnosis Mood reflective introspective Type personal psychological When to use this quote - therapy sessions - support groups - personal storytelling - educational workshops Key Concepts psychology cultural framing self‑identification Questions to Reflect On - How does personal terminology affect treatment? - Can spiritual framing help or hinder recovery? A Different Perspective Personal language may obscure clinical understanding and professional help. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bipolar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) [Dark night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-night/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Manic depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manic-depression/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Psychological disorders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological-disorders/) ## Related quotes > [“You're manic-depressive and you're manic-depressive too and you, you're definitely manic-depressive, girl. 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