Smiling/laughing in tense emotional situations...a nervous twitch?

Question

I've had this problem for years. I'll throw in a few examples.

1) Argument with family member. The family member started crying, and I unintentionally started smirking. The smirk kinda grew into a laugh. I of course felt like a monster because I was far from happy, I just couldn't stop it.

2) Close friend went through a traumatic experience. She came to me for advice, got very emotional (tears, etc) The accursed smirk and laughter returned.

3) Coworker's funeral. I felt bad, but I was smirking all throughout his funeral, I had to leave the room at one point. (out of respect for everyone else of course)


I mean, do I need therapy or something? This really worries me and makes me feel like a heel.

It's bad enough, my nickname for my freshmen and sophomore years of college was "the Joker"

Answer 1

Wouldn't say therapy was in order, seems to me as though your way of dealing with stress is to try and lighten it up some. As a nervous thing you tend to smile which may seem inappropriate to some but I know of several who do this as well. A few of them have learned to keep a straight face over the years even though they feel "antsy" inside and are just itching to smile or try to make a joke out of it. It's really not that uncommon for many people to try and see the humor in most everything so they don't have to deal with the miriad of other emotions. Best of luck with this however you decide to follow up.

Answer 2

It seems that this is the only way that you can response to uncomfortable situations. I would like to suggest talking to a
professional or minister since this has been going on for years. Also if you are on some type of medication, it might make you response in such a manner.

I will pray that you resolve your problem soon.

Answer 3

I too always laugh during extreme situations... I don't know why I do it, and I don't have any reason why you do it... except you too are an existentialist and you challenge why you were put on this planet. Maybe it's all a test. That's what I keep thinking anyway... I am so like you it's not even funny.

Answer 4

now and returned for the period of a tedious assembly i'm going to get the urge to coach the table over and bounce out a window, just to reason somebody some stressful workplace work and to make a large number on the foyer carpet.