Q&A for How to Stop Laughing After Every Comment

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  • Question
    What causes nervous laughter?
    Chloe Carmichael, PhD
    Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author of Nervous Energy
    Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who runs a private practice in New York City. With over 12 years of psychological consulting experience, Dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self-esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at Long Island University and has served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York. Dr. Chloe completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and her clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital and Kings County Hospital. She is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety” and “Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.”
    Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author of Nervous Energy
    Expert Answer
    That depends on your unique situation. Try to explore those moments of nervous laughter and ask yourself what's happening. Really challenge yourself to find out if there's some discomfort or resistance. Is there sadness or anger, or maybe some other emotion that also feels like it would be inappropriate to express or difficult to grapple with? Don't be hard on yourself, though, because there's obviously already something going on there that's stressful and difficult. Try to look at the laughter in a non-judgmental way, as a sign that you need some attention and support.
  • Question
    Why do I laugh at death?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It’s actually very common and natural to laugh at things that are uncomfortable, stressful, or scary. Laughter helps relieve stress, so it can be a normal form of emotional release even if the emotions you’re feeling aren’t positive.
  • Question
    What is it called when someone laughs after everything they say?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Sometimes it’s called a nervous laugh. Or, if the person is laughing at themself, you could call it a self-deprecating laugh.
  • Question
    What causes excessive laughing?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It’s not uncommon to laugh a lot in response to nervousness, stress, or something that just strikes you as especially funny. But if you find yourself getting uncontrollable laughing attacks often, especially along with other inappropriate emotional reactions (like outburst of crying or anger that are way out of proportion to whatever is going on), talk to your doctor. In rare cases, this can be a symptom of pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a problem in the brain that makes it hard to regulate your emotions properly.
  • Question
    My classmates are all really annoying and unfunny but for some reason I always laugh when they say something to me or to the class. How do I remind myself not to laugh?
    Community Answer
    Try to develop a more solid sense of why you think it's not funny, or why it's annoying.
  • Question
    I'm in a funny play but can't laugh during the performance. How can I control my laughter?
    Community Answer
    Pay attention to the scene. Think about your next line. If possible, add a condescending snort as part of your character to hide your laughing.
  • Question
    I laugh way too much, people say it's annoying. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Imagine you're standing on a stage acting a really important drama performance, with thousands of people watching. This is what I do when I need to be serious and it works well.
  • Question
    I laugh too much even if it's not funny. They always look at me like I am a stupid girl.
    Community Answer
    Just restrain yourself from laughing, if possible. Try to smile instead of laughing out loud.
  • Question
    People are being nasty to me and saying that I take laughing gas. It makes me angry but I don't know how to stop laughing. What should I do about it?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them. Everybody gets teased for something, bullies will latch onto whatever is most convenient. There's nothing wrong with laughing a lot and if you just laugh at them when they say stuff to you, they'll get bored with it and stop eventually.
  • Question
    How can I stop laughing at my friend who makes jokes in front of my teacher?
    Community Answer
    Think about sad or depressing things. It will distract yourself from your friend's jokes and prevent you from laughing.
  • Question
    My husband does this monotone "hahahahaha" after every sentence he or I utter, and many times it isn't even funny. How do I make him gently aware of this so that he stops? It is really annoying to me.
    Community Answer
    You're going to have to just tell him that it bothers you. Marriage requires communicating about things like this and working out minor annoyances. Just say something like, "Honey, that laugh you're always doing drives me crazy, can you try not to do it so much?"
  • Question
    How can I forget a joke that always makes me laugh at inappropriate times?
    Community Answer
    Remember something that's sad, or hold your breath.
  • Question
    How can I stop laughing when I study?
    Community Answer
    Every time you feel that you are about to laugh, bite on the inside of your lip and your fingers to cover your mouth.
  • Question
    How do I prevent my face from getting red when I laugh?
    Community Answer
    When you feel like you are getting red, take a deep breath and concentrate on what the other person is saying.
  • Question
    How do I stop laughing in class when my fellow students act silly?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them. Concentrate on one thing in the classroom. Block what they are saying or doing out of your head.
  • Question
    How do you tell someone they have this problem without offending them or sounding like a jerk?
    Community Answer
    Start off by saying something nice and then work your way up to the point you are trying to make. Try your best to say it in a nice way, so they don't get hurt.
  • Question
    If I see someone laughing and I'm going to laugh, what do I do to stop myself from laughing?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    As you grow up, you learn to control yourself according to the social norms of your society. Controlling your laughter when it's inappropriate is just one of these things. We are not slaves to our emotions; just because a thought or feeling comes into our heads doesn't mean we become that thought or feeling, or have to act on it. You are a human being in control of yourself, not a beach ball caught by the waves.
  • Question
    How do I keep a straight face after someone says something funny?
    Community Answer
    Try biting your lip from the inside of your mouth, or pinching yourself.
  • Question
    I keep on laughing at everything, even silly stuff. Sometimes I even laugh at my own senseless jokes. Does this mean that I have a bad sense of humor?
    Jeffery McCleer
    Community Answer
    No. This means that you are good-spirited.
  • Question
    How do I stop laughing at a boy being ridiculous in my study hall?
    Community Answer
    Just calm yourself down and ignore him. Remind yourself what he's doing isn't really that funny, and focus on your schoolwork.
  • Question
    I always laugh in class, and sometimes I get in trouble for it. How do I stop?
    Community Answer
    Bite your lip or tongue. Hold your nose, so that you're breathing in/out through your mouth. It diminishes the laughter.
  • Question
    My friend tries to be cool by making senseless jokes all the time and I always laugh. How can I stop?
    Community Answer
    If the jokes aren't funny, simply stop laughing and tell your friend it is annoying.
  • Question
    I laugh a lot because I genuinely find a lot of things really funny. To be honest I enjoy it and I think it makes me more likable. Is it a problem?
    George Maurice
    Community Answer
    It's not a problem if you really are genuinely laughing, you enjoy it, and it's in its place (even if a joke is lame for example, and not too many people would find it funny). This article is discussing more of laughter that is not in its place that is result of anxiety, nervousness, etc. This type of laughter can be disruptive to regular conversations, would not look reflect positively on you, and may cause people to take you less seriously.
  • Question
    I dating a girl who always mimics my laughs when I laugh at her jokes. How do I tell her that it's mean and I hate it?
    George Maurice
    Community Answer
    You could be just straight and direct with her, and she should respect that either way. However, I understand that confrontation is awkward and hard, and that is probably why you're asking. You could start by pointing it out in a playful manner if that helps. For example, you could say something like "wow make fun of my laugh then" , and if she says that this was not the intention, you can say that it definitely sounded like it. Later, if she didn't get the hint and repeated this behaviour, you could be more serious the next time, and it would not be out of nowhere.
  • Question
    How do I not laugh at someone every time I see them?
    Community Answer
    Try to think about something else, and distract yourself from what is making you laugh about that person.
  • Question
    How do I stop laughing in serious conversations?
    MadeInHeaven
    Community Answer
    It isn't uncommon to laugh due to nervousness or other factors during serious conversations. However, if this becomes a problem, paying extra attention towards these talks and practice mindful listening may help decrease laughter. Physical distractions, like pinching or fidgeting can also help with this response. If all else fails, you may want to speak to your doctor as uncontrollable laughter can also be a symptom of certain disorders.
  • Question
    I have a new boyfriend. I'm 52 years old. After almost everything he or I says, I laugh. Even if it's not funny. When he is funny, I laugh to the point of almost puking. Why do I do this?
    Community Answer
    Laughing a lot can be a sign that you like someone or feel comfortable around them! Since it’s an expression of joy, people subconsciously laugh more around people they enjoy spending time with. Talk to the people you care about to explain your side of things and to get them to help you by suggesting it's time to be less effusive.
  • Question
    When I am in public, I tend to laugh a lot, and I notice that I look like the weird one in the group. How do I stop this?
    Community Answer
    In all honesty, it isn’t something you need to stop unless it’s interfering with your life. It’s common to be self-conscious about one’s own laugh, but your friends could find it endearing. To strangers, it probably seems lively, not weird.
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