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Do you use humor to cope with difficulties and mental distress? Article linked

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by Tightrope, Jul 21, 2020.

  1. Tightrope

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    I thought it was not that normal to use humor to cope with depression or any mental distress. It turns out that it is and it can make you healthier or just be a valid coping mechanism. Articles mention that too much can be too much and that the humorous front can mask the real you from others. Haven't you seen that some very funny people you've known had a dark side they didn't really want you to see? We hear that a lot of successful comedians have dark sides and some have battled mental health issues. As I see more and more of life, I see this.

    This is a link to a blog on NAMI.

    https://nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2020/Using-Humor-as-a-Coping-Tool

    Do you use humor to help you cope and does it work for you?
     
  2. Joelle b

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    Yes, I am all laughs and sarcasm but I have been depressed for five years. I feel so into humor using that no one would guess I am depressed. It really works for me.
     
  3. Shorthaul

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    Absolutely, especially self deprecating humor and truck loads of sarcasm.
     
  4. Andrew99

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    Lol yes and whenever something angers me, instead of throwing a tantrum, I just laugh it off.
     
    #4 Andrew99, Jul 23, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  5. smee

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    I was in a car accident right after high school, and I was in ICU for a few days before the nurses met my parents at the door and asked if they could get me to quit telling bad jokes. That story probably tells a little too much about who I am and how I handle stress....
     
  6. dbri

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    I have to use humor daily. Nearly hourly. My mind constantly wanders, so I try to see the humor in all things.
     
  7. Andrew99

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    I like dark humor too.
     
  8. Nightlight

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    I know someone who definitely has a dark side and is humourous.
    For me humour doesn't work very well with me. I may laugh for 5 seconds, then I'm back to being sad. This is part of the reason why I like dark humour. It accepts that fact that the world can be a dark place sometimes.
     
  9. Shadows123

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    I use humor to cope with depression and to make other people happier. I enjoy making others happy so it’s a win-win to me in a way.
     
    #9 Shadows123, Jul 28, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2020
  10. Vesta

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    I find a lot of people use humour to mask their own insecurities.

    Years ago I went to a stress and depression management course. The nurse who was giving the weekly talks would often make jokes about eating sugary foods or being of a large weight. It was clear that deep down, she was insecure about her own obesity whilst giving a health talk to others. A few sessions later when we were covering mental insecurities, she admitted that she does it too, and referenced an example which was the very thing I had already established some time ago - she was insecure about her weight so used humour to cover it up.

    I often use humour to cover up my dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Perhaps a little too much sometimes. I make jokes about my poor handwriting, or how bad my reading is. Sometimes I make jokes about my poor attention span.

    While I do make these jokes out of insecurity, I make them also because I believe life shouldn't be taken too seriously, because it's already serious enough.