Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

10,127 Members
27,615 Posts
0 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

That special wacky PTSD humor

Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
I've noticed over the years that one of my coping mechanisms to live with PTSD, flashbacks, panic attacks, painful memories has been a particular kind of wacky sense of humor. Dark humor is part of it, but it's not just dark. It's not better or worse than anybody. It's just wacky.

After the absurdity of trauma and its legacy, I've got an appreciation for what's comically absurd all around us. I love it. I've noticed some "straight" people are taken aback at times. But then on the other hand I notice these same "straight" and "normal" people sometimes shut down folks who try to speak to them from broken hearts. Neither laughter nor tears seem to be "normal" or allowed to certain "straight" folks who sigh and roll their eyes at my humor and "immaturity" at age 54.

Not me. Tears and laughter are my friends. I'm open to hearing people's tragedies all the time. It's even part of my job. I'm not inappropriate. But I don't need to make tragedy worse. If possible, lighten the load, imho. Sometimes a joke helps dispel fear, I've found. My favorite butt of jokes is, of course, myself.

I loved the TV show MASH just for that reason. After I teach my Death & Dying class, when I get home I might even--gasp--watch The Three Stooges or a stand up comedian's special on cable. There's no hope for me.

Ha! :-)

Anybody have this develop in coping, too?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Absolutely, mujica! I do, too . . only I'm not so quick as you to find the humor while in it - but I can get a good laugh from it after I've recovered! My daughter and I've taken to calling them Lucille Ball moments - because I can (extremely strong, calm handle anything women, at least I used to be!) can be reduced to panicked, crying, helpless, wanting to call for 'Ricky' all too easily . . . but there is no Ricky to call. However, some of the going is rough enough I struggle to find the humor for weeks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Have discovered my dark humor freaks my adult kids out. They think I'm morbid. Frankly w/ out the capacity to see the irony in situations, and to laugh at my own limitations life would be much more grim.

Many people use dark humor to deal w/ inescapable situations. Yesterday I was helping a frail elderly neighbor sort through books to evaluate for selling on eBay. When she mentioned one seemed interesting, I suggested she hold on to it to read .She said: "Oh no, it's very long and I don't have that much time left. I don't even buy green bananas."
arfie
arfie
I find myself going for the contrarian humor. Eg. The whole world agrees that "dark = bad" and "light = good."

I see the industrial strength glare. I write stories and songs about night blind fools trying to see beyond the shadows of their own artificial lights.

Nobody else seems to get the humor.

Genius is always misunderstood.
JessicaChase
JessicaChase
As a matter of fact I can totally agree. I am actually the best fan of my twisted comments and sayings. My children used to get angry with me, because they would say, "Your illness is not funny, " but I cannot help it. Sometimes I have to say to friends and family...that was a joke, because they do not know how to react. So, I have learned to laugh at myself and enjoy lightening the mood sometimes. I think this is healthy!
TwilightStar
TwilightStar
Ive used humor as a coping mechanism for a long time. It used to really backfire, people didnt take me seriously since I could make a funny joke about things. I still have a problem with smiling when Im telling a bad story. I think its connected to not being allowed to show negative emotions growing up. Something like that.

Now I still use humor but not as much in front of other people. People take me more seriously now and I feel bad because if I say something funny I can tell it puts people in an awkward position. They dont want to laugh at me or my situation but if somethings funny its just funny.

When others arent around though I dont hold back. I think if I wasnt able to find humor in my life I wouldnt have made it at least not as well. Theres a point where the abuse/tragedy is just all around you in life and youre not gonna see anything else for a long time so you might as well work with whats in front of you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Years ago I read in some psych nursing book that 'dark humor' is healthy. This was a great relief to me, and quite funny in itself, to think that I (yes me) am quite normal after all. Those who know me would roll around laughing at that information and would declare the book a load of junk based on the evidence before them (me).

At least we are not alone with a gazillion people in the world who have this, and use dark humor as a coping mechanism. Let the 3 'straight' pple in our lives be the odd ones out, while we get a little enjoyment here and there. God knows we need some fun & laughter.
CindysRain
CindysRain
Laughter is a great medicine!

Lightening up can help so much in tense situations! I can laugh at myself easily and it makes things at least feel calmer for a bit.

Keep your humor - I think it has it's own unique healing power. = )
MillaSofia
MillaSofia
Absuridy = utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false: an absurd explanation. Or situation. I do my absurdity laugh. Oh, I laugh laugh. But when things are just too weird and horrible, I get it, then the absuridy laugh starts. "How absured." I like the absurd phase of things. I know it's a coping mechanism. And I miss it when it's gone. But it always comes back, because something else absurd happens. Take care. Thank you for posting.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Wow, am I GLAD I asked! I never felt this many people "get" me all at once. Again, wow!. Letitbe and arfie and McMercy and everybody on and on....I love what you've said here about "dark" humor and how it's really healthy. It has been for me...I just never came clean about it before like here. This site is just awesome for me....

dbpalm, I loved that "Lucille Ball" moment thing. In fact, last Friday in one of my classes I quote "I Love Lucy" directly to my class students. Ha!

And letibe3, that punchline "I don't even buy green bananas..." Ha! I've got to work that one in to one of my Death & Dying classes. Perfect.

You guys are a hoot. Thank God.... :-))))
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • GreenEyes727

    My Diary

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    7
    I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying.  I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there.  I think that I will start writing in it again.  It's so therapeutic.  
  • Vince3789

    Missing Therapy

    Posted by: Vince3789
    Last Reply: hasty_05
    5
    First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...