Poor Sense of Humor
  Sense Of Humor, Poor
 Signs and symptoms
 Contributing risk factors
 Conditions suggested by it
 Treatment
 



Poor Sense of Humor: Overview
Although researchers have long known that a good sense of humor has many healthy benefits, relatively little is known about how humor is handled by the brain. Thanks to new imaging techniques (MRI), researchers are now learning more about how the brain processes humor and may one day be able to help people who have lost their sense of humor due to depression or other psychological disorders. A study in 2003 showed that humor may give people a natural high by activating the same reward centers in the brain that have previously been linked with happiness and drug-induced euphoria [Mobbs, D. Neuron, Dec. 4, 2003; vol 40: pp.1041-8.]. The study showed that, in addition to activating areas of the brain involved in language processing, humor also stimulated regions of the brain known as reward centers, such as the amygdala, which releases dopamine. Dopamine is a powerful chemical that plays a vital role in the brain's pleasure and reward system.


Signs, symptoms & indicators of Poor Sense of Humor:
Symptoms - GeneralPoor sense of humor (confirmed) is a sign or symptom of Poor Sense of Humor  Poor sense of humor (confirmed)

Counter-indicators:
Good sense of humor (confirmed) strongly contraindicates Poor Sense of Humor  Good sense of humor (confirmed)

Risk factors for Poor Sense of Humor:
MentalDepression often increases risk of Poor Sense of Humor  Depression
Loss of one's appreciation of the rewarding aspects of humor is a frequent and fairly specific symptom of depression.

Paranoia/Paranoid Personality Disorder often increases risk of Poor Sense of Humor  Paranoia/Paranoid Personality Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often increases risk of Poor Sense of Humor  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Poor Sense of Humor suggests the following may be present:
MentalPoor Sense of Humor may suggest Paranoia/Paranoid Personality Disorder  Paranoia/Paranoid Personality Disorder
Poor Sense of Humor may suggest Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Recommendations and treatments for Poor Sense of Humor:
VitaminsVitamin Niacinamide may help with Poor Sense of Humor  Vitamin Niacinamide
Early signs of vitamin B3 (Niacin) depletion include the loss of a sense of humor.


KEY
Weak or unproven link: may suggestWeak or unproven link: may suggest
Strong or generally accepted link: often increases risk ofStrong or generally accepted link: often increases risk of
Definite or direct link: is a sign or symptom ofDefinite or direct link: is a sign or symptom of
Definitely or absolutely counter-indicates: strongly contraindicatesDefinitely or absolutely counter-indicates: strongly contraindicates
May be useful: may help withMay be useful: may help with




Last updated: Jan 22, 2012