[deltasevennine]

This isn't problem solving per say. It's success that triggers a dopamine release. Whether that be success in your career or success in solving a problem. Success though is typically fleeting. You need to climb the ladder higher to feel more happy.

You probably found a success niche via problem solving.. and interpreted the source of your happiness as "thinking through problems." If you continuously failed to solve problems while thinking you obviously wouldn't be happy so it isn't "thinking" or "problem solving" that triggers this... it's success. Thus there are other avenues to this version of happiness outside of problem solving, you just need to find something you're successful at. If problem solving is it, so be it.