Can I ever feel pleasure from laughter again?
Over the summer earlier on this year I went through a pretty extreme traumatic event that involved a large amount of psychedelic drugs, paranoia and social isolation for an extended period of time. At the time I remember completely shutting off. I had a full-on identity crisis and became completely disconnected from myself and my emotions. Since then I have suffered heavily from symptoms described in PTSD including memory loss, poor concentration, logical impairment, anxiety and depression. I have worried constantly that my brain is permanently damaged and that I will never be able to feel emotions of elation, joy and euphoria ever again.
The interesting thing is that I will laugh at something because I know it's funny. The laughter, the reflex will be there and people are convinced that it's real. However, there is little to no pleasure behind it at all. If anything when I laugh I will feel more frustrated than anything and my facial expression will drop in the realization that I can't feel any identifiable pleasurable emotions. I'd say I am definitely blunted and am seeking out counseling but am extremely worried as being funny and laughing was a huge part of who I was and losing that is like having a large part of me killed inside.
Is there any hope for me?
After all that you will find that it is hard to go back to 'normal'. You just need to change the parameters, stop trying to be the person you were before and be something new. Laughter will come back don't worry, it may not be the same as before it will still be there deep inside, you will probably find though that it is not the same things that make you laugh. Emotions are not something that can be induced or taken away, they are something we can hide and pretend are not there but they are. Just wait a little while, try and sort out your life and then it will come back.
i dont have time to read the whole book you wrote out on yahoo but but you always laugh some people laugh while they are being murdured just because they dont want to be their last memory to e happy so i think you can you ungreatful b*tch
You just need to laugh even if there's no reason. You'll learn the behaviour again and soon you may even find something funny. Smiling releases endorphins.
Sounds like your body/brain isn't releasing the right chemicals during laughter like it should. I would see a doctor. They should be able to prescribe something to help out.
ya always my friend be cool and enjoy life, ignore wat people think abt u, just remain urself.......
come as you are- nirvana songs
You're ******.
Just be an asshole, like me.
I've been through a similar thing although maybe different in that I suppressed my happiness through guilt at letting myself be happy. I think when you go through trauma you tend to be more serious about things and silly things that you used to laugh about tend to turn into stupid things that just aren't very funny and can often seem quite immature. You're a different person to who you was and maybe at the moment you're still finding your way- after all whatever happened did not happen long ago. You need to allow this change to happen and accept the new you.
When my trauma happened I remained numb for a long time- I choose not to take anti-depressants because I didn't want to be more numb than I was. I was constantly longing to be the "old" me the one that went out and had a laugh and did stupid stuff. Now I realise that my life was quite meaningless and I wasn't really happy. Once I had dealt with my trauma I felt like i'd killed my humour and was really boring but really it was because I wasn't satisfied with the way my life was heading. Things had a new meaning.
Think about the whole picture what would make you happy? A new job, living somewhere different? meeting new people? etc. I spent alot of time thinking about my happiness in social situations and like you i'd get frustrated and analyse constantly why I wasn't finding things funny when everyone else seemed to. Once i'd made some changes I felt like I was back in control of my life, I knew who I was and what I stod for and really it's the person i've always been I just never realised.
It sounds like your trauma was harsh and it sounds like it will be a long road for recovery. It's all about accepting that things are different now. Allow yourself time to grieve the loss of the old you and then allow yourslf to become excited about a whole new you. You will be happy and you will laugh again it just takes some time.
Good luck!
hahaha
continuation:
to the victims of Ondoy and Peping. May this inspire them to never lose hope despite their struggles.
...And how do you hold back the giggles? I try hard, but sometimes, I just can't. Usually its when my daughter has
Which word do you often use to express your laughter when messaging?
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With the elected officials like Mark Sandford, David Vitter and John Ensign, all of whom are still in office can the party
i can't.
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Logic...........
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I started laughing at something relatively funny, but i just couldn't stop! I laughed so hard I cried, and blacked out.
Just saying
figure out the disguises for yourself.
like thinking of a joke then laughing then everyone is like wtf? are you ok?
if you like to eat food, star question pweez!