Why I laugh at uncomfortable moments, according to psychology

Why I laugh at uncomfortable moments, according to psychology

September 4 2025 – 09:00

This phenomenon that bothers is more common than it seems and science studies on it.

The laugh in inappropriate situations It is a more common phenomenon than it seems. Many people experience laughter attacks in times of tension, such as during a speech, at a funeral or upon receiving bad news. This behavior, although it can generate guilt or shame, has a clear psychological explanation.

Specialists point out that this involuntary reaction works as a brain defense mechanism. When a person faces an extreme stress or contradictory emotions, the nervous system responds with laughter as a way to release tension. Psychologist Andrea Trujillo Estrada explained that This phenomenon occurs more frequently In contexts where there is an “implicit prohibition” of laughing, which paradoxically increases the difficulty in controlling the impulse.

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The cause of laughing at inappropriate times

The brain reacts to the cognitive dissonancethat is, when there is A conflict between what a person feels and what is expected of it in a certain context. In signing situations, for example, laughter does not indicate lack of respect or indifference, but acts as a Emotional shock absorber Before shock. Trujillo Estrada clarified that in these cases, the mind still did not completely process the reality of the loss and uses laughter as an exhaust valve.

In public exposure scenarios, such as conferences or work interviews, the Nervous laugh It usually manifests itself as a symptom of social anxiety. The fear of foreign judgment and the pressure to perform correctly generates a tension that the agency releases through this reaction. Some people develop this behavior as Unconscious strategy to soften uncomfortable situations and feel safer.

How to avoid laughing at uncomfortable moments

Experts recommend concrete techniques to handle these episodes. The Deep breathing And controlled helps reduce tension: inhant slowly through the nose and exhale by the mouth allows you to recover the approach. Another effective strategy consists of redirect attention to serious thought or a specific task when you feel that laughter is about to arise.

Trujillo Estrada suggested Identify the moments that usually trigger this reaction To anticipate. Knowing the situations that generate greater nervousness allows to prepare alternative responses. In extreme cases, When involuntary laughter becomes recurring and affects everyday life, it could be associated with neurological disorders such as Pseudobulbar affective disorder, linked to diseases such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. In these cases, it is recommended to consult a specialist to evaluate possible medical causes.

Source: Ambito

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