Does anybody else worry about/struggle with this?

[MonsterHospital]

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My whole life, I've had this strange habit that has never truly worried me until now that I'm close to dealing with patients: I laugh when I'm nervous. I start getting the giggles, bad. At the most serious, stern, dire times, too. I think it stems from a mixture of discomfort and tension, but it's definitely not because I think a situation is funny. Before starting med school, I was really interested in psychiatry...but now I'm thinking that's a no-no for me because of my inappropriate giggle impulse. Anybody else ever have this problem and figure out a way to control it? I'm starting to earn the nickname "Giggles" at my med school! I know it's bizarre but I can't be the only one. Tips greatly appreciated!

-The Giggler

EDIT - I luckily did not end up having a problem with this on the wards! Like you all have said, the real world, around real patients, is very different. I also found a trick that works really well for me - I count backwards in serial 7s if I feel it coming on. This keeps the giggles away by diverting my attention from any tension/discomfort. But it really hasn't been a problem in a long time. Hope this helps someone!

 

[reedman]

My whole life, I've had this strange habit that has never truly worried me until now that I'm close to dealing with patients: I laugh when I'm nervous. I start getting the giggles, bad. At the most serious, stern, dire times, too. I think it stems from a mixture of discomfort and tension, but it's definitely not because I think a situation is funny. Before starting med school, I was really interested in psychiatry...but now I'm thinking that's a no-no for me because of my inappropriate giggle impulse. Anybody else ever have this problem and figure out a way to control it? I'm starting to earn the nickname "Giggles" at my med school! I know it's bizarre but I can't be the only one. Tips greatly appreciated!

-The Giggler

it sounds like anxiety. if you think its bad enough to affect your professional life, go see a psychiatrist.

 

[SpiritBender]

Hey Monster,

I normally post in psych forums but during my lurking i saw this and had to chime in because i have/had the same exact problem. it still happens to me sometimes in social situations because the tension is too much for my psyche im guessing.

first if it does happens and you start smiling/laughing tilt your head to the side and look into the persons eyes and if your comfortable with them enough touch them(seems weird i know but it will lessen the shock of laughter and comfort them)

second while using that crutch the real way i got over it was watching serious doctumentaries on psychological problems and watching bbc world news hearing all that sadness and turmoil helps you get used to hearing bad things and will desensitize you

and last but not least i got a job in a psych ward to get some real life experience and trust me brother it probably wont happen in real life because schizophrenia is no joke your learn not to laugh when a patient will choke you for doing it. you will be fine trust me, you got into this because your a fixer and you'll fix this too!