Gelotophobia: living a life in fear of laughter

[maureenho]

Gelotophobia: living a life in fear of laughter
By Pippa Stephens Health reporter, BBC News

27 June 2014 Last updated at 00:30

Being in the middle of a group of laughing friends is usually a happy experience, but for those with an unusual phobia it is anything but. They are people with gelotophobia - a fear of laughter.

Drummond* (all names have been changed), 18, from the US, told researchers: "I hear people laughing and I assume they are laughing at me. I tense up and get ready for a fight, I can feel the adrenaline.

"I hardly ever talk or do anything that could cause me to be laughed at. I remain stone-faced most of the day.

"I see other people having fun. Sometimes I want to change and be like them.

"But I don't want to get there and be made fun of because I am different."
'Extreme anger'
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    When I hear laughter I feel extreme anger. I am alone and cope alone”

Chukar Gelotophobe

His description of his condition was recorded by Dr Tracey Platt, at the University of Zurich, in Switzerland.

She is part of a body of scientists across the world, including Africa, Canada, India and Russia, trying to understand what causes the condition.

Gelotophobes either do not understand what laughter is, or they think it is directed at them in a negative, malicious way and feel scared when they hear it.

They often find being around people difficult, and may suffer stress headaches, dizziness and bouts of trembling in social situations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27323470

[annie]

That must be a very sad condition to live with

[Misspears]

That's sad