Why do I have fits of laughter for no reason and what to do?

Spending good times in the company of our loved ones usually gives us great pleasure, causing us to laugh a few times. This produces a series of bodily changes that are not taken into account at the time these sensations arise. How many times have we heard a joke that has caused us such excessive joy that we have not been able to control our laughter?

It is clear that laughter is a response that marks a reaction to an event that surprises us. However, there are certain situations that are not fun, but in which some people are not able to contain this kind of responses and are subjected to embarrassing moments by not being able to control this act involuntary. In this Psychology-Online article we will explain Why do I have fits of laughter for no reason and what to do?.

Index

1. Why do I get giggling fits out of nowhere?
2. How are fits of laughter for no reason
3. What to do when you have a fit of laughter for no reason

Laughter can be caused by voluntary and involuntary aspects that surround the person. Regarding those conscious stimuli that arouse this action, we can highlight some such as jokes or humiliating situations. In other words, the person knows the reason for laughing, however, this laughter may be involuntary and not have a logical explanation.

In this sense, it is important to emphasize that there are always certain causes linked to these fits of laughter. We see them below:

• organic lesions: Certain parts of the central nervous system are associated with the processing of stimuli from outside. When there is an overactivation of neurotransmitters as a result of injuries due to illnesses and/or accidents, it is possible that they act as triggers for involuntary laughter. Among the best known are gelastic epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents, angelman syndrome, among others.
• unconscious aspects: According to psychoanalytic theory, psychological contents arise that correspond to unconscious issues that the person does not know that they live inside. In turn, this implies that a laugh without apparent cause may be due to having established a connection with some situation in that person's daily life. To find the reasons for this type of reaction, it will be necessary to go to a mental health professional.
• Mental disorders: Another possible cause of fits of laughter for no reason may be the presence of a mental disorder. The mental disorders They encompass those mental health problems that represent alterations in behaviors, emotions and thoughts. Here we can find, for example, autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia, among others.

In general, fits of laughter for no reason have a gradual onset that increases in intensity as it develops. In other words, a laughing fit starts with an unmotivated smile and then turns into little noises.

Once the fit of laughter increases, can affect the activity that the person is developing to the point of being unable to stop this situation. Although the duration of these episodes may vary depending on the qualities of the person and the context in which which they develop, the average time ranges from a few seconds to several consecutive minutes.

Despite the difficulties that this type of problem can cause, there are some methods to counteract the negative effects that occur in different environments. Here's what to do when you're giggling for no reason:

• distraction of thoughts: when a person starts laughing without being able to stop, one of the most viable options is resorting to other thoughts that are a source of distraction from the stimulus generated by this answer. However, it may be necessary to repeat it several times until it has the desired effect.
• Focus on breathing: the respiratory rate is associated with the neural connections that are released when a fit of laughter occurs for no reason. For this same reason, lowering the intensity through deep breaths can be a possibility to control this moment. In this article you will find some breathing exercises What can you do in these cases?
• Identification of laughter without reason: if a person knows that he has this type of involuntary actions, it will be necessary to register them in order to know and address them in another way. When a person can visualize the moments in which these episodes occur, they may anticipate and try to avoid them.
• evasion of the moment: Faced with the imminent appearance of a fit of laughter for no reason, it is important to know that it is an action that can be considered negatively by the social environment. In the case of not being able to control the situation, it is best to avoid it. For this reason, it is preferable to leave the place to avoid an unpleasant moment.
• Start a psychological treatment: in the event that fits of laughter without reason cause damage that the person cannot control and the lead to problems in your daily life, it may be a good time to start treatment psychological. The mental health professional will provide tools to cope with this kind of difficulties in a more pleasant way.

This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why do I have fits of laughter for no reason and what to do?, we recommend that you enter our category of Emotions.

• Galvez Flores, J. (2007). Neuropsychiatric aspects of cerebrovascular diseases. Colombian Journal of Psychiatry, 36 (1), 63-91.
• Sineiro García, C., Paz Míguez, M. J. (2007). Emotional lability/negative affectivity and emotional regulation in children of anxious mothers. Psychothema Magazine, 19 (4), 627-633.