Okay this is the deal. I truly believe that my sense of humor helps keep me alive.

Today, I lost my humor. see reason here http://forums.psychcentral.com/gener...r-own.htmlthen then, I thought, DocJohn has a Q&A tonight and I have all of you. This is my Q. "I lost my sense of humor today. Do you have any ideas on how to find it?" Do You? Please add them to this thread.

Also my therapist will be gone for 2 Thursdays. I "accidently met" the woman who is going to be there for me for those 2 Thursdays. When I formally met her, I learned she believes in laughter therapy. So I have that to look forward to as well as answers from PsychCentral.

Thank You, I am beginning to really like being here.

[growlycat]

When I'm in a foul mood, like this week, I watch as much funny stuff as I can on Youtube

I'll share one of my favorite bits from a comedienne I like a lot--

Thank you for that link. I so understand that woman's sense of humor. I am starting to obsess over where this thread really belongs. OCD, other treatments, here, etc.

I need my sense of humor more than ever right now. The more laughter I engage in, the better off I will be.

I love laughing. Mt therapist has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh, so we do that a lot every session, no matter what else I'm dealing with. It's not nervous laughter so much as--my life sucks, and then it's suddenly hilarious how badly things are going/have gone and it's hard to stop laughing. We get to the core of it at some point, but the laughter helps a lot. She knows it doesn't mean I'm not in pain, but if I have a choice between laughing and sobbing, I'd much rather laugh.

[LindaLu]

I have SAD so haven't had a good laugh since oh, August! But I'll walk into session announcing that I'm in "fine form" and launch funny story about current crisis I'm in -- sometimes for a stupid reason -- and reveal how the person who hurt me should have no credence. At least I know that's what I'm doing, spinning a story about what matters in life and who is responsible for my life--me.

Sadly my T is hard pressed to see humor in any of this (sarcasm bothers her, puhleeze). I'm guessing that whatever psychic exploration she's paddling us towards is supposed to uncover some core trauma, but lady, don't kill the laughter.

Anyway. Enjoy your "laughter therapist" for those two weeks. She may bring fresh perspective and exploration. And sorry for the snow up there. That would kill most people's sense of humor.

[baseline]

Hey Em, I also love humor/laughter. Most people that know me would never guess at the level of depression or anxiety I am at! My friends think I am a frustrated comedian trapped in a nurses job! I bring laughter/humor and compassion to the bedside because it is what I would want for myself or my family! When I need to laugh I look at funny movies, SNL I love the old ones, Jimmy Fallon, jOHN stewart. When all else fails I call my younger sister who is hysterical and we cut up on our crazy mother and siblings!!! I know its mean but freaking funny!!!!I am trying to get out more socially again too but that puts me in a position to have to be upbeat and entertaining!!! I think you are funny/hysterical you remind me of my sister!!! Keep up the humor girl. Would love to know how that laughter therapy goes!!! My T is so serious I say crazy stuff and curse sometimes just to see his reactions change. People can't believe that foul stuff like that come out of my mouth so it's kind of funny to watch their reaction!!!Never judge a book by its cover!!!hahaha love ya!

[stopdog]

I have a dry sense of humor, but I do not play with therapists. I consider it to be a bad plan.

Thank you for all these replies. I am so happy to know that others understand how important humor can be.

I am laughing and my humor is returning slowly. This morning I called oildude to order more oil. We laughed and laughed about the amount of snow we have gotten.

I spoke to my Mom a bit ago. I shared a funny song with her on facebook yesterday. That song led her to this https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZseQN3TCUxF76k I haven't heard Men from Maine in years. It still makes me laugh wicked hard.

[growlycat]

I remember Men from Maine!!! funny stuff

[HollowRhythms]

(((((((((((Em)))))))))) you've never lost your sense of humour, ever.... maybe you're just feeling to crappy to appreciate the laughter you cause. *sends you alllll the laughter in the world*

[baseline]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I have a dry sense of humor, but I do not play with therapists. I consider it to be a bad plan.

hi stop dog, I assure you I would not play with my T either! I admire him greatly but every once in awhile I like to see him crack a smile! I take therapy very seriously it has helped me tremendously. I just would like to see some facial expression!

[stopdog]

If the point of this thread is suggestions on what to do then I watch movies like Heathers, Dr. Strangelove and comic opera. I re-read anything by Jane Austen, Catch 22, and Bird By Bird and other novels I find funny.
I have never heard of a laughter therapy therapist and I don't see the concept of such a thing as useful for me. I play with friends. The therapist does not get to enjoy that part of me. I don't usually notice the therapist's facial expressions. Her expressions would not have merit for me.

[ragsnfeathers]

I had 4 - 5 sessions with my current therapist. The first session he laughed a lot. I like that about him but my processing speed is a little slow so my timing is off. By the time my brain recognized, funny, laughter, share, or whatever's going on the moment's passed. I noticed he's toned down a lot of his extroverted stuff like the laughter. Trying to mirror me? This is one of the things on my list for next session.

Originally Posted by stopdog

If the point of this thread is suggestions on what to do then I watch movies like Heathers, Dr. Strangelove and comic opera. I re-read anything by Jane Austen, Catch 22, and Bird By Bird and other novels I find funny.
I have never heard of a laughter therapy therapist and I don't see the concept of such a thing as useful for me. I play with friends. The therapist does not get to enjoy that part of me. I don't usually notice the therapist's facial expressions. Her expressions would not have merit for me.

I stole this from a site that focuses on laughter therapy

"We need to laugh more and seek stress reducing humor in our everyday lives. Laughter is the human gift for coping and for survival. Laughter ringing, laughter pealing, laughter roaring, laughter bubbling. Chuckling. Giggling. Snickering. Snorting. These are the sounds of soul saving laughter which springs from our emotional core and helps us feel better, see things more clearly, and creatively weigh and use our options. Laughter helps us roll with the punches that inevitably come our way. The power of laughter is unleashed every time we laugh. In today's stressful world, we need to laugh much more."

Enda Junkins, Laughter Therapist, LCSW, LMFT, BCD

I think the point of this thread is that I lost my laughter and am looking for ways to find it again, if someone else laughs with me, awesome. also maybe people need to learn how important laughter really is???? It doesn't really matter what the point of this thread is, just take a minute and LAUGH!!!!

[stopdog]

Ok. Good luck with it.

I saw my "replacement T" yesterday. She was 10 minutes late because she was reading my "vent" about people being late. http://forums.psychcentral.com/gener...ly-option.html

I was able to talk easily and be honest with her despite barely knowing her. We laughed a bit and were serious when I needed her to be.

I see her again next week. I so hope I don't end up liking her more than my regular therapist.