When Being Laughed at Doesn’t Seem Funny
October 18th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
Though the common adage suggesting that it’s good to be able to laugh at oneself may hold a fair amount of truth in terms of maintaining a healthy self-image and overall well-being, sometimes it can be more difficult to accept or tolerate the laughter of others when directed towards us. Being laughed at is something that everyone is bound to experience from time to time, whether the situation is truly humiliating or is simply a friendly jest between family members. For many people, being laughed at is an occasional fact of life, and it fails to have much if any influence over personal thoughts and feelings. But for others, the thought of being laughed at is equitable with the deepest horrors possible. Gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, is a mental health concern that affects people around the globe and whose precise functioning and clinical presentation have not always been straightforward.
As part of a quest to better understand the differences between a simple aversion to being laughed at and an instance of gelotophobia, a study carried out principally at the University of Zurich, but with international contributors, has recently been concluded. Working with over twenty thousand people via questionnaire, the research team, comprised of staff from over seventy three countries, examined the histories and ideas of those who were averse to being laughed at to a range of degrees. The research was successful in establishing clear differences between those exhibiting gelotophobia and those with a normal level of aversion to being laughed at by others.
The researchers noted that those with gelotophobia are likely to avoid social situations in which they may feel threatened by the possibility of self-directed laughter, a behaviour that is likely to have negative effects on social and personal well-being and relationships. The study is available for review in the latest issue of the journal Humor.
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9 comments so far
It is indeed difficult to laugh at oneself and is not possible for each one to do it. Only a few of us have the capability to laugh at ourselves and it is, according to me, a symbol of self-confidence and character.
I hate for anyone to laugh at me, well I guess unless I am telling a funny joke.
Laughing with someone is something but laughing at oneself is degrading.
I can laugh at myself, and most of my friends appreciate this quality of mine… I do not, somehow, feel offended when the joke is on me, and in fact enjoy it.
I completely agree… I know a lot of people who enjoy having a laugh at others’ expense but go critically beserk when somebody does it to them… it is not a healthy practice and we should learn that if we cannot handle something about us, we have no right to subject others to the same…
Well, I have to admit that I don’t quite enjoy being laughed at or even laughing at myself… but atleast I do not ridicule or mock at others… for people who do it- they deserve a taste of their own medicine:)
I can tell by experience that it feels awful to be laughed at.
I have seen a few such people and I feel very sad for them. They are so conscious, because they are scared that something might go wrong and they may end up being laughed at… it is extremely disturbing to see such behavior. Due to their fear, they lack any kind of self-confidence in their actions and talk. This may really push a person to extreme measures such as suicide or drug-abuse.
All close knit friends have a joke to laugh about. What’s the big deal if that be ur embarassing moments. Dont forget America’s funniest home videos is a show that thrives on laughing at yourself and getting paid for it. I basically think a person with a bigger ego wont be able to handle that.
If you can’t have a good laugh at yourself sometimes then what a sad life you must be living. There are times when I have seen people who get so mad when they do something that makes someone else laugh at the- they just can’t take a joke! Life is too precious to get all caught up in that kind of stuff.