Anxiety and Humour

[Scotchfinger]

We all have different senses of humour I know. What I'm interested in here is how much anxiety plays a role in making us laugh. John Cleese used to make me laugh on Fawlty Towers when handling difficult situations/people and his own incompetence as well.

I think when I most want others to take me seriously, is when I look the most vulnerable and possibly the funniest. I can remember giving a speech at Toastmasters once and I was so nervous, my hands and arms were going everywhere. The feedback was "Scotch, your content seemed OK, but it was so hard to concentrate on what you said, because of innapppropriate body language."

I often try to use humour to diffuse  anxiety. But it can backfire if not accepted well.  I remember an appointment I had with the boss I was a few minutes late and I said when he arrived "oh he won't mind me being late, he's only the boss." He didn't smile.

I think it helps my mental health to try and see the funny side of things. Comedians like Bob Hope and Woody Allen, often use it, I noticed. I sometimes say to myself "OK what's the worst case scenario? I'll be homeless, never afford to have a phone, computer or TV and not be able to post on forums like BB!"  Hey that doesn't sound so bad, actually.  🙂

[Neil_1]

This is a good thread – and I reckon that humour is used perhaps quite a bit in life by people who suffer from various mental illnesses.  Be it, proper humour via comedians, etc;  or just the run of the mill folk where we make light of different situations by trying to produce a laugh – as has been already mentioned in the earlier posts.

I think humour can be like a potential mask for us – to deflect how we really are, how low and down and instead of coming across as this incredibly low, sad and flat person, something within us, says, “Hey, let’s do the opposite, so there’s no way that they’ll see how we really are”.

Obviously, these are just my thoughts, but I think it’s something that I’ve done in the past on many occasions.

And yes, there have been so many wonderfully talented people who made us laugh who suffered from their own demons – two that spring to mind for me were:  Peter Sellers and also of more recent times, Robin Williams.

[Scotchfinger]

I think humour can be like a potential mask for us – to deflect how we really are

That's true for sure. I use as a smoke screen too, to cover the sad clown beneath. Who want s to see and hear a depressed person complaining all day?

But I sometimes think that people who lack humour and being able to laugh at themselves, make their illness worse. I Then again., I haven't suffered a really traumatic event, which is bound to make everything seem dark I imagine. I've worked in jobs (hospitals)where black humour was used and it was a survival tool. I saw it helped people cope with the harsh realities of the work.

[Guest_1055]

Sometimes I can't even tell if someone is being humorous or not. And I rarely get jokes. It is embarrassing at times, people have to explain them to me, and then I may find it funny.

I do tend to appreciate light hearted people at times and sometimes these people seem to see life so different to me. I think the world needs humor and funny things.....Otherwise it would be so heavy all the time. Us depressed people need someone that has a funny and cheerful heart.... Well those are my thoughts.

Now I am wondering about school life, sometimes you would see someone that always acts goofy and tries to be funny all the time. And sometimes I do think it may be a cover up, because they want to be liked, noticed,or accepted. Or they may be trying to get some attention from a teacher or something, because that don't get proper attention at home, or something like that. Maybe this behaviour carries over to adulthood.....

xxx

[Scotchfinger]

I'd rate kindness way above humour shelley. And you score A+ on that.

[Whycantlifebesimple]

Hi guys. Im still new to this and i never thought id find so much happiness in a such sad site (if that makes sense). Lol. In saying so ive never felt like ive belonged until discovering this forum. 

I havent been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Ive refused to see seek professional help soley for the reason id have to tell someone about my secret ive held on to for over 20yrs up until i posted on this forum a couple of days ago i have been thinking seriously about seeking help. 

Ive gone through life using humour to divert people from asking or even thinking something is wrong. No one knows what happens behind closed doors. I feel like an actress lol because i play someone who i am not lol just saying this out loud is humorous to me. But it gets tiring which is why im having a bit of a downfall. I think this "fall down" of mine has been the most hardest one which is why i think its time i search for the help i need. I cant do it by myself anymore. In saying so the load had been lifted a little coming on this beautiful forum.

G.B everyone xx

[Guest_1055]

Hey whycantlifebesimple

I felt exactly the same in regards to the feeling of belonging, when I first started to read what others have written. It was like I understood some of what they were saying. I thought I was the only one that experienced life the way I did. It is a strange sense of knowing isn't it? And also because of this knowing, I began to feel not so alone.

Anyway I hope one day, the actress in you will simply vanish and the real you, the one that is created as you..... will be set free. I truly do.

Much love

Shelley xx

[blondguy]

Hey SF

I agree totally with with you about using humour as a defensive mechanism against anxiety....Your attitude is one to be admired ....seriously (sorry about my humour about your pic before)

Fawlty Towers.......oh yes....you are spot on with that SF.....(and don't forget....don't mention the war!) 🙂

Humour (especially lack thereof from me) is wonderful on this site.....It helps me very much SF

You have a kind heart SF

Kind Thoughts

Paul (woof)

[Bluey_moon]

I agree we use humor as a smoke screen! 

I have a dry sense of humor! I love to laugh, I miss not laughing as much! 

My children make me laugh, you guys make me laugh! My husband is funny!