[summersover]

Ever since I was a kid, about 5 years old, for some reason if I ever noticed that someone was in a lot of pain, or really angry with me, I found it funny. Most of the time I bit my lip because I don't want to hurt someone's feelings by laughing but there are times when I just start to laugh if for example my boyfriend is crying. It's really weird and it even creeps me out. Why am I like this? Am I some sort of sociopath? I don't think so, because usually immediately after I laugh or hold back my laughter I feel guilty for finding someone's pain or sorrow funny. This only happens with people I am really close to, no one else. I'm not sure if this is because I have BPD or this is something else entirely. Anyone have any idea what's wrong with me?

[WhatDayIsItAgain]

We used to call it a "nervous giggle" a long time ago. A stressful or embarrassing situation can cause that common and normal response (someone in pain or someone aggressively angry is very stressful).

I do not think you are a sociopath because of a tendency to giggle in very *not* funny situations (some people freeze or faint or sneeze or hiccup... the danger danger signals send the body chemistry into overdrive.

Do you find their sorrow or pain actually funny and then giggle? (like a sociopath) or
Do you respond to observing their sorrow or pain as *not* funny but the stress causes a giggle? (like a nonsocipath who does not want to see anyone in sorrow or pain or rage)

I am sarcastic humor type in normal situations and my flaw gets much worse in stressful situations (um... yes, I have difficulty with "appropriate response".... I have been informed my critical comments and sarcastic glee are not appropriate at times)

The guy slipping on a banana peel is classic slapstick humor that still makes most people giggle (it "becomes" not funny later when he lays there injured on the banana peel). Other people develop a cold morgue humor to handle the stress of grief, loss, crime, death, etc.

You are okay and nothing is wrong with you. Now we can both giggle and ***not*** feel guilty later.

Yes, it's a nervous giggle I'm sure. Do you honestly think you find the situation humorous or is it that you are uncomfortable with the situation? It is very common to laugh when we find we are unable to find something to say, the situation difficult, or even to break the silence.

If you do in fact fin the situation humourous this is more serious and you ought to talk to your therapist and doctor about it.

[summersover]

No I definitely don't find these situations humorous. They make me sad and stressed out. I think maybe the reason I laugh is because I'm really bad at knowing what to say in these kinds of situations.

I know someone who laughs at the pain they cause others. It sounds very sick to me. I think they need help but don't want it. In return, I don't associate with them.

[littleowl2006]

Originally Posted by summersover

No I definitely don't find these situations humorous. They make me sad and stressed out. I think maybe the reason I laugh is because I'm really bad at knowing what to say in these kinds of situations.

Yep, that's normal I'd say. Just make sure they know you're not mocking them, instead maybe express your feelings [ Î ] in that kind of situation

[handheart]

I think its a dereglation at nervous giggle .I would sugest to ask your brain when you meet this situation why make you to laugh

[amandalouise]

I dont know about your location but here in america many grew up watching tv shows like candid camera, americans funniest vidoes and now there is a show called tosh.o and others that show things like people in odd situations or stunts or falling\getting hurt and the shows sensationalize it and promote those situaitons as funny. unfortunately because of this we have many that grew up and many now growing up where it is normal now to laugh and giggle when someone else falls or get hurt in some way. some people are even doing real dangerous stunts\challenges in promoting getting hurt is funny. a recent situation in the news is the teens and adults cinnimon challenge, ice challence and more recently take a selfie with a loaded gun and hope it doesnt go off, all of these "challenges" are promoted as funny when someone actually getshurt by them.

my own opinion is if you find you are giggling and laughing at others getting hurt its time to step back and get in touch with the saying of how would I feel in the same situation. example yesterday i was looking out my window and saw a man trip and fall. myfirst instinct was that was funny started to giggle. but then I stepped back from the window and thought if that had been me what would i have felt and needed. then I went out and helped the gentleman gather his things, collected his dog for him and made sure he didnt need medical help.

in this normalizing people getting hurt era we live in its usually not part of a mental disorder anymore when someone giggles or laughs at others getting hurt. in my location this is more a reeducation of manners, morality and such.

in my location when it is part of a mental disorder for example the mental disorder problem known as lack of affect is a situation where a person doesnt show emotions (all emotions, not just one) or shows emotions in the wrong way, example laughing crying at the wrong times, numb and lack of emotions but it doesnt center on just one thing, it carries over to all aspects of a persons life.

[EdgyUsername]

Yeah this happens a lot to many people, Maybe not as frequently, but it's definitely a thing, Multiple times I've been scolded or someone is seriously shouting at me and i have to hold back the urge, Because it's literally the last thing you want to do in that situation...and if you're prone to overthinking eventually you can't help but do it.

The important thing is that you know it's bad, If you didn't, then you'd have something to worry about.

[baraxador]

What about laughing without feeling nervous?

When my friends or family feel angry, or sad it just feels so funny to me, like seeing a small animals struggling to get tape off it's paws.

[Onward2wards]

Thanks for all the people who posted about the "nervous giggle", as I used to experience that a lot in my childhood/teens and wondered what was wrong with me!