unusual urge to laugh [Archive] - HealthBoards Message Boards

waw2002

09-25-2005, 12:41 AM

I'm a 17 year old male and for the past year I've had an unusual urge to laugh. I can be sitting at the table eating, then all of a sudden I feel like laughing. The urge is so strong that I can't keep from smiling. Or the other day while walking to my class at school, the urge just hit me. THis happens almost everyday, sometimes several times a day for no apparent reason. My family are starting to think I'm crazy. By the way i've been diagnosed with depression in the past.

Can anyone explain this? I feel like I'm going crazy. I can be crying on the inside and laughing on the outside.

thanks

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GatsbyLuvr1920

09-25-2005, 04:17 PM

Could be a sign of mild hypomania. Along with this, do you also not need to sleep a lot, have rapidly changing mood swings, feel "on-top-of-the-world", feel more talkative, and/or more energetic? I've never been diagnosed with a mood disorder, but several doctors have told me that I could be mildly hypomanic, and quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised. I have this laughing thing, too. Every little random thing will make me laugh silently to myself and smile, and I can't stop. I probably am cyclothymic, which is a VERY mild form of bipolar disorder b/c I've never needed sleep (went on two hours a few nights ago), I always talk fast, and I'm very moody. This could be a mild form of hypomania, especially since you're in your late teens (peak onset) and you've had depression in the past. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. God bless! :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-

waw2002

09-25-2005, 04:50 PM

thanks for the reply.

I don't ever feel on top of the world and I can't go without sleep. However, it usually takes me 2-4 hours to fall asleep every night. If I do have hypomania, is there a way to get rid of this feeling to laugh.

thanks

GatsbyLuvr1920

09-25-2005, 11:53 PM

Well, some people who are hypomanic aren't the classic "euphoric" type, but irritable. (Manic people are either both euphoric and irritable or just irritable.) Have you been feeling like you need to get things done faster or that you have so many thoughts running through your head that it's hard to sort them out? This would be hypomania. I really don't know how to stop the laughing, unless you would go to a psychiatrist, tell him/her your symptoms, and if they think it's hypomania, take the medication they prescribe. Write back soon! :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-

waw2002

09-26-2005, 06:39 PM

thanks for the help everyone. Do you think this could just pass on its own?

Or do you think maybe its just some weird puberty thing?

thanks again

GatsbyLuvr1920

09-26-2005, 10:20 PM

Considering that you're 17 and not 13-14, and that it doesn't sound like typical "teen moodiness", I'm thinking, no... ;)
-GatsbyLuvr1920-

leomarchen

10-23-2005, 05:38 PM

I get this too. The problem with it is it can happen at the wrong times. I'll burst a huge smile on my face and try to hold in the laughter. People look at me and ask me what is so funny. It's very hard knowing when it's about to happen. I have to leave the room sometimes, otherwise people might be offended. I'd like to know what triggers this.

SuchGreatHeight

10-23-2005, 10:44 PM

I have stories in my head, or just too many thoughts and I can start laughing at something just to spite the thought. Like all of a sudden just laugh for no reason, because my thoughts were too "thick". Could it have to do with something like this?

Or does this even make sense?

waw2002

10-24-2005, 10:11 PM

SuchGreatHeight, that sounds like me. Does anyone know how to fix this. And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one this happens to although I would never wish it on anyone.

alsaser

10-25-2005, 03:51 AM

Me too. Especially when I was your age waw2002. I would laugh all the time...at places like the dentist...I just couldnt stop...it was so embarressing. It has subsided in time..I think it will go away..dont worry about it. I still occasionally have laughing spells..if its somewhere very inappropriate I sometimes have to bite my tongue real hard...almost draw blood...or think of the saddest thing i can.
But other than that I walk around looking amused and smiling...people just smile at me and think I'm friendly I guess...they have no idea I'm laughing at stuff in my head...except at work...people are used to me there...I'm always laughing. :D

Chriznat25

10-31-2005, 10:46 PM

I have the same problem. I can be at work typing a very detailed report, and suddenly start cracking a huge smile and start laughing. I dont usually know why, and Im not usually consciously thinking of anything specific but I dont view it as a bad thing!!! Im very outgoing and cheerful and I think its just whatever energy I have built up inside (did i mention im hyper too?) venting. One time I was at a funeral and sitting there, everybodys crying. I thought of something that happened (non related) to the dead person or anything to do w/ the funeral and almost went to the bathroom i was laughing so hard. My eyes were watering, I actually probably looked like I was crying my eyes out....LOL

Anyways, are you hyper?? Are you on anti-depressants? If I was hanging out with you and you started laughing, I wouldnt view it as a bad thing, I think its funny as he** and makes you more individual. :)