So we've all heard that laughter is the best medicine and we all know that laughter feels fantastic and is a great way to make people feel good. However recently I've started to wonder about some of the times when I have wanted to laugh and at things that really aren't funny. It's only recently that I have started to consider that it may actually be problematic.

I think part of the problem is that I love laughing too much. I will laugh with anyone. If I see so much as a smirk in church/ on stage/ in the audience, I'm off. For example, since I've started writing this article I've laughed at thinking about laughing. But, I do not love inappropriate Iaughing! I actually severely dislike it. It has caused me a lot of embarassment, confusion and pain. What is it about? So I have used this hub as an excellent excuse to do some research and to find out why some people do this? I don't see this as a major problem area in my life, believe me there are far more pressing issues that I should be dealing with before this, but  I would love to figure out why I do this

Why do I laugh so easily and readily when others don't? Why do I often feel a compulsion to laugh when I know I shouldn't? Why is it something that I can't control when others can?

As much as I love laughing, my laughter has betrayed me on occasion. I think I suffer from nervous laughter or inappropriate laughter. The kind that will not bugger off when you want it to, the type that surfaces in the most inappropriate and damning of times. LIke funerals, on stage or mid exam. This is when I don't enjoy laughing, to onlookers it looks like I am having a wail of a time and they would be excused for thinking this the case, when they see me bent over, shrieking with laughter.

On these occasions, in my head I'm thinking, "Please God! Make me stop! This is bloody awful!" but I am laughing. It happened on stage when I was 18 years old and playing Mrs Cratchet in A Christmas Carol. I have gone red, just remembering it. I was at a table on stage with my brood of children, when one of them started to choke. Well that was it. I was off and could anything stop me? No way. I giggled, chortled and spluttered through my lines for the entire rest of the act. The only thing that stopped me laughing again was when we had finished our final curtain call and the show was over. Then, and only then, did I stop laughing and it was exactly at that time when it would have been OK to laugh. That experience put me off acting for 10 years and completely knocked my confidence.

Should I get help to resolve this or let all my laughter out?

Is inappropriate laughter a real medical problem?

Well apparently so. I just thought I was a bit anti-social and odd, but being prone to inappropriate laughter can sometimes be an indication that something is not right.

Inappropriate laughter can be a symptom of:

brain cancer

tourette's

autism

anxiety

stress

hypomania

OCD

When is laughter a symptom of a medical problem? Some people laugh after every sentence they say and others laugh anytime they are asked a question. My laughter comes in high pressure situations where I know that I shouldn't laugh. Situations where laughter really should be the last thing I do, the pressure not to laugh is ironically what makes not laughing a virtual impossibility. Does this mean I have a medical problem? I don't think so, though I could be accused of being hypomanic and I am also prone to anxiety. This diagnosis doesn't really help me with my little anti-social problem.

Is it possible? Can it be done? I don't know. I've had a few tactics used on me and they did absolutely no good. But maybe they'll be good for you.

Give me a dirty look- no good.

Slap me- makes me worse.

Laugh with me- we'll be there all day.

Tell me to "grow up"- this adds fuel to the laughing fire.

Ask me what's so funny- usually laughing so hard I can't speak.

Remove me from the situation- very helpful. Why hasn't anyone tried this?

Bite your cheek or lip - whatever! This does nothing.

Think of depressing and sad thoughts- the funny thoughts beat the crap out of these ones.

I think the best option here is to remove me from the situation. This tactic is of no use however if I am on stage and have an entire play to get through. 

The good news is that laughter is good for you. Apparently it is good for your heart and mind.

It can be an excellent way to release tension and can be a fantastic bonding experience for you and other inappropriate laughers. Sometimes I find someone who is just as inappropriate as me and I know I've found a friend.

Laughing can improve your moods and help fight depression.

It is good for your tummy muscles.