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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
Anyone else have problems with this? I've struggled for years with laughter during the most difficult moments ... in church, at weddings, or funerals, when family members hurt themselves, you name it. When my son was little and needed stitches, I'd have to leave the room (and I'm sure the doctors thought I was nuts, or wondered if I'd caused his injuries intentionally). This summer when I was trying to teach him to drive with a stick shift and really needed to concentrate and smooth over some tense situations -- dang it -- there I was laughing again. It's really been a problem. Whenever the going gets tough and emotions are on edge, I laugh. Not sure how my emotional wiring got crossed up on this one, and would sure appreciate hearing from anyone else who struggles with this issue -- particularly if you've figured out solutions -- even if those solutions are limited only to explaining this situation to friends and family members. Thanks, XXX, E.
Posted by Wendy B. on August 30, 2001, at 0:57:23
In reply to Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
> Anyone else have problems with this? I've struggled for years with laughter during the most difficult moments ...
Hi Elz,
There was a lengthy discussion of this on the Psy-Social board not too long ago... Do a search on 'laughter' and 'inappropriate' and you should find it. If you can't, I'll try to look it up for you. The consensus was that it is anxiety-related, I think.
Best,
Wendy
Posted by Shelley on August 30, 2001, at 3:05:27
In reply to Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
Hi,
Yes, I have suffered for years from the same problem. At funerals etc, just as you described. I also suffer from some kind of severe social phobia and whenever someone used to speak to me, I became so overwhelmed and the result was inappropriate smiling. I haven't been able to explain this to anyone, but it is obviously upsetting. I thought I must be psychotic or something. By the way, does anyone know if that is usually the case?
Posted by Mitch on August 30, 2001, at 7:23:28
In reply to Re: Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Shelley on August 30, 2001, at 3:05:27
> Hi,
>
> Yes, I have suffered for years from the same problem. At funerals etc, just as you described. I also suffer from some kind of severe social phobia and whenever someone used to speak to me, I became so overwhelmed and the result was inappropriate smiling. I haven't been able to explain this to anyone, but it is obviously upsetting. I thought I must be psychotic or something. By the way, does anyone know if that is usually the case?
Hi,I do the same thing at times and I have social anxiety, too. It tends to happen the most when people are talking to you when your mind is occupied with something else. You are just trying to pay attention to your own thoughts while not being *impolite* and pretending to listen to others. I think it also could be an ADHD symptom (which I also have). I also notice it is worse when somebody else is trying to explain something that is difficult for me to focus and follow, so I just grin and go "uh-huh", especially when I am not going to have to hang around for long to listen to it.
Posted by Ted on August 30, 2001, at 11:35:40
In reply to Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
Elzabeth ,
> Anyone else have problems with this?
Only rarely. But this is a classic symptom of schizophrenia: Inappropriate emotions. Don't worry though -- I think everyone does it to some extent.
Ted
Posted by Rick on August 30, 2001, at 17:22:33
In reply to Re: Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Ted on August 30, 2001, at 11:35:40
> Elzabeth ,
>
> > Anyone else have problems with this?
>
> Only rarely. But this is a classic symptom of schizophrenia: Inappropriate emotions. Don't worry though -- I think everyone does it to some extent.
>
> TedI agree, Ted. I actually started to write a post about how I now recognize this as one of the first somatic manifestations of my Social Anxiety (fits of uncontrollable laughter when giving oral book reports at age 10), but my post started to get out of hand. I started thinking of so many possible reasons for this behavior in general and when/why *I* laugh inappropriately today (focusing so intently on my approval-seeking efforts that I miss the speaker's u-turn from joking to dead-serious), that I came to a conclusion similar to yours. Most people do this to some extent, although there can be dozens of different reasons -- some involving mental or personality disorders, and lots that don't.
Hell, even "Mary Richards" was susceptible. (If you're too young or don't watch Mary Tyler Moore show reruns on Nickelodeon, you won't know who I'm talking about.) When WJM-TV's Chuckles the Clown suddenly died when some goofy stunt backfired, Mary's co-workers at the station were making morbid (and hilarious) quips, and she was aghast at their insensitivity. Then, at the funeral, the same folks were all behaving in proper dark-cloud mode. But when the clergyman delivering the eulogy started talking about how "Chuckles brought us all such joy every time he fell on his foo-foo", etc., Mary started breaking out in uncontrollable laughter. Everyone else stared at her and maintained respectful silence. (That would be pleasant for a social phobic person, no?)The minister finally interrupted the eulogy, turned to Mary, and said, "Yes! Go ahead young lady, laugh...laugh...our dear Chuckles devoted his life to making people happy, and would have loved nothing so much as the sound of your laughter." She then started sobbing. (All dialog paraphrased, of course.)
I do have a few questions for Elizabeth: Do you sense any humor, even momentarily, in the situations? Even black humor? How quickly do you notice that you're laughing at something inappropriate? How soon after that do you stop? Do you ever try to "mask" it midway, e.g. turn it into a faux cough? Has anyone ever asked you why you're laughing?
Rick
Posted by sar on August 31, 2001, at 1:06:54
In reply to Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
dear elzabeth,
i can relate. i've never laughed at a wedding or funeral, but i have a big proble with *guffawing.* most jokes, people laugh for 10 seconds, then go about their business. i guffaw for a good minute or so, then think of the funniness 20 minutes later and am off on another guffaw. i'm by myself at work walking through the store and i break out into what seems to be spontaneous giggles as i remember somthing funny. this happens *daily* and has increased with my klonpin use.
i had alot of clumsy friends growing up, and every time they fell or hurt themselves i'd burst into the most inappropriate laughter--the black humor of it all is that sometimes watching someone fall off a tree branch or trip on the sidewalk can *look* funny, but you are not supposed to laugh--and i'd be empathetic at the same time, but the laughter *was inappropriate--when i was 8, my 10-yr old best friend gave me a good smack in the face after i started to laugh hard after she took a fall from a swing.
i'm looking forward to seeing other responses to this thread. just know that you are not alone.
sar
Posted by Elzabeth on September 1, 2001, at 13:06:50
In reply to Re: Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Shelley on August 30, 2001, at 3:05:27
> Hi,
>
> Yes, I have suffered for years from the same problem. At funerals etc, just as you described. I also suffer from some kind of severe social phobia and whenever someone used to speak to me, I became so overwhelmed and the result was inappropriate smiling. I haven't been able to explain this to anyone, but it is obviously upsetting. I thought I must be psychotic or something. By the way, does anyone know if that is usually the case?Hi Shelly -- I haven't had a problem with the smiling, but sounds like we could both use some *breathing* !!! Take care, XXX, E.
Posted by Elzabeth on September 1, 2001, at 13:25:34
In reply to Re: Inappropriate Laughing -- Elizabeth and Ted, posted by Rick on August 30, 2001, at 17:22:33
I am still getting used to posting here ... hope this works. Regarding your questions, there often isn't anything particularly funny in any of the situations that come up. What's so funny about teaching your child to parallel park, for example, knowing how much they're counting on you to "be there" for them, and knowing -- them knowing, your knowing, that any minute you're going to crack up ... it just isn't funny. It isn't funny knowing that no one can count on you. There's no way to mask it, and everyone's given up asking why I'm laughing. So far as I know, I'm not schizophrenic ... but I certainly have anxiety about a variety of issues -- apparently. How sad that apparently there doesn't seem a cure or solution. :-( XXX, E.
(Thanks to everyone for writing in.)
Posted by Elzabeth on September 1, 2001, at 14:07:04
In reply to Inappropriate Laughing, posted by Elzabeth on August 29, 2001, at 20:58:32
I keep writing and writing (and writing you).
:-(
This is my fourth time.
I am -- obviously -- not having an easy time of it here in babbleland.
Just wanted to thank you for participating in my discussion. Again. Let's hope this time I'm able to make it a go! In the interest of brevity, I'm going to keep it short. You really don't want to here my story again! :-) Just thanks. Forgive my double post to Rick -- not sure why he should here from me *twice,* and you, none at all -- Wendy -- thanks for the referral to Psy-Soc Land -- sar -- thanks for the stories from your youth, and your continuing experiences with chuckles (which I'm also able to summon at will). I wish I had strength and patience to type out the reply I wanted to go into one more time, but will save it for another day. Just thanks. Thanks for writing. I'm sure we'll meet again. XXX, E.
Posted by Christophe on February 21, 2008, at 11:50:33
In reply to Regarding Your Questions - Rick, posted by Elzabeth on September 1, 2001, at 13:25:34
My father recently broke his leg in two places and when I talked to him on the phone I was laughing. I thought I was just trying to comfort him and lighten the mood but maybe it was because I was anxious and in fact he told me not to make him laugh because it hurt.
This is the end of the thread.
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