Is it normal to laugh without wanting it?

39% Normal
8 Comments

I've had reoccurring episodes of depression for at least five years now and therapy has never helped me so I decided to do something about it myself. I was prescribed some antidepressants before but I was too scared of the side effects so I never took any of it and got some St John's wort instead.
I can't really find any scientific websites telling me whether it is more than just a placebo or not, but so far it seems to be working for me.
My mood is better overall right now but I also often have to laugh without wanting it, especially when it is really inappropriate. For example, I was reading some of the "F*cked up" is it normal questions here which I found really disturbing, but they made me laugh and I couldn't control this.
When a friend told me about her mum almost dying I couldn't help but laugh...I feel like a total arse now :(

It also makes me feel really scared at night but then again I laugh at this without being able to control that. The thought of somebody coming into the house and murdering me makes me laugh now even though I don't find that funny, is that normal??

Voting Results
39% Normal
Based on 56 votes (22 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • kellstar79
    12 years ago

    I too laugh at inappropriate times when someone hurts themselves and for me it's highly embarrassing. My doctor said its a nervous laugh and it does has a long scientific name but I can't remember it. When I get close to people now I warn them incase they think I'm heartless if I ever laugh at inappropriate times. I've beer laughed at death though and I too suffer severe depression. I refuse to take anti depressants as they make me feel drugged but you really should as someone else suggested tell your doctor

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  • karmasAbich
    12 years ago

    Maybe your head is trying to cope with the stress of your own worries as well as whatever it is youre taking, and when you add to that stress, an unintentional coping machonism comes into play, which for you, would be inappropriate laughter. Which ironically, sounds a bit funny to me. Sorry, and good luck!

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  • RinTin
    12 years ago

    I heard St. Johns might bring psychosis or mania out in some people...look it up.

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  • LAgirl427
    10 years ago

    No but on Saturday, I found out that my overweight 14 year old cousin died from a heart attack and I burst out laughing. I felt bad after I laughed but no it's not normal to laugh at inappropriate times

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  • LAgirl427
    10 years ago

    Yes i laugh at very inappropiate times. On Monday this boy in my classroom who sits in front of me had a seizure and i burst out laughing like a crazy bitch! My teacher glared at me and everyone in my class was looking at me like why is she laughing. He was making noises like " igh igh" for 5 minutes in a row and it happened 2 times the same day. The 2nd time was random and he did it out of nowhere so i quickly got up and ran out the classroom to laugh my head off!

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  • la_uva_mojada
    11 years ago

    I used to have this problem when I was an interpreter in the emergency room and people would talk about how they hear voices telling them to do bizarre things like walk naked on the railroad tracks, and I tried to contain my laughter but could not.. it was hard.. lol.. so i kinda understand.. OTher times i do google image searches on my phone and find some 1000 lb woman in a thong and can't stop laughing and my friends think i'm crazy.. lol certain things set me off and i can't help it at times...

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  • kellstar79
    12 years ago

    *I've never laughed at death*

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  • TheBalance
    12 years ago

    I hope you aren't taking those without the doctor's knowledge. Tell someone besides people on the internet what is going on too. The worst thing you could do is not tell anybody if these thoughts and feelings persist.

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