Laughter just might be the most contagious of all emotional experiences. Although laughter is one of the distinguishing features of human beings, little is known about the mechanisms behind it. Laughter is not limited to communicating mirth. It can be triggered by embarrassment and other social discomforts. Laughter may have evolved to facilitate bonding across large groups of people. In primates, the grooming process releases chemicals that help build social bonds; humans eventually came to liv
When Laughter Becomes Part of Your Identity
Living with laughter over time can lead to a fusion of identity and diagnosis. You may find yourself thinking "I am laughter" rather than "I have laughter." This identity fusion has significant consequences:
- Reduces motivation (why try if this is just who I am?)
- Increases shame and stigma internalization
- Makes recovery feel like losing part of yourself
- Limits how others see you (and how you see yourself)
Reclaiming a Multidimensional Identity
Your identity is vastly larger than laughter. A powerful exercise: complete this sentence 20 times with anything other than your struggles:
"I am someone who ___________"
Values, roles, relationships, interests, history, capabilities — all form your identity.
Laughter as One Chapter, Not the Whole Story
Narrative therapy offers a powerful reframe: laughter is one story in a much larger life narrative. You are the author, not the character defined by struggle.
Externalizing the problem: Practice talking about "Laughter that visits me" rather than "my Laughter." This linguistic shift creates psychological distance and agency.
Building Identity Beyond Laughter
- Invest in relationships that see your full self, not just your struggles
- Pursue interests unrelated to mental health — art, sport, learning, creativity
- Find meaning — purpose larger than symptom management provides identity anchor
- Contribute to others — giving to others builds positive identity components
- Celebrate growth — document how you've changed, overcome, adapted
The Strengths That Laughter Builds
Many people find that navigating laughter develops genuine strengths: deep empathy, resilience, self-awareness, creativity, and a hard-won wisdom about what matters in life.