Laughter and Bipolar Disorder
To me, Bipolar Disorder is a serious disease that is taken too seriously.
I love to laugh. I mean really love to laugh. What makes me laugh? I like slapstick, dark humor, children’s jokes, knock-knock jokes, dirty jokes, puns and more. You know what else I love to laugh at? Jokes about bipolar disorder, depression and mental illness in general? Basically jokes about me.
Do I really like jokes about mental illness? Of course I do and maybe you should too. For most of us, it’s something that we’ll have to deal with for the rest of our lives. You could be angered, you could be offended, and you could even feel “less than.” I understand, I sometimes I feel the same way, but I choose to laugh about it as much as I am able. Some of the “crazy” jokes out there are hysterical. A July 23, 2013 Mayo Clinic article says,
Find a way to laugh about your own situations and watch your stress begin to fade away. Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing. It does your body good.
When Nothing Seems That Funny
Let’s talk about when you are in a deep, dark depressive state. That may not be a good time to look at mental health humor. That’s okay, because laughter can come in other ways that are beneficial,
Whether you’re guiltily guffawing at an episode of “South Park” or quietly giggling at the latest New Yorker cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that’s no joke.
Find a few simple items, such as photos or comic strips that make you chuckle. Then hang them up at home or in your office. Keep funny movies or comedy albums on hand for when you need an added humor boost.
The Mayo Clinic’s article, as well as other articles I found in Psychology Today and BPHope, give a run down on all the physical and mental benefits of laughter, but you don’t need to read all that. You already know laughter feels good, so to hell with the technical benefits – just do it.
What about you? Do you find jokes about mental health funny, or are they taboo?
Source: Mayo Clinic
I find some mental health jokes funny. Jokes that are mean spirited or a bit of a put down I don’t find funny and that’s for any joke, mental health related or not. Getting to a place of wellness was a long hard road so I’ve only begun to laugh at myself in the last year and a half. I just didn’t see the humor in anything I felt or did until then. I guess I need to lighten up in that area of life. If I don’t, I will have let bipolar rob me of some of my sense of humor. I can’t let bipolar win. Good post.
You make a good point. The same joke can be funny or hurtful depending on how it’s told. Take two comedians. I never thought Jay Leno was funny. I found his jokes were mean-spirited. He seemed to have a special affinity to make fun of fat people. Ellen DeGeneres, however, could take a joke that’s nearly identical and make it funny as part of the foibles of life in general.
I’m grateful I am able to hear and tell mental health jokes…the right kind of jokes. Laughter is such an important medicine, yet it can be most difficult in the times we need it the most.
When I was hospitalized twice last summer for suicide attempts, I kept referring the place where I was at as the nuthouse or loony bin. So yes, I would say I can joke around a bit about it. Have to laugh in this world whenever we can.
I couldn’t agree more
Humor is an excellent coping mechanism.
A suffer for 24+yrs and I love to laugh at myself it’s kept me alive and I am known for my dark humour and blunt nature the most by family and friends, but most of all for nursing staff and physiatrist for my ability to laugh at tragedy. I’m on your page.