Editing Laughter (section)

==Negative aspects==
Laughter is not always a pleasant experience and is associated with several negative phenomena. Excessive laughter can lead to [[cataplexy]], and unpleasant laughter spells, excessive elation, and fits of laughter can all be considered negative aspects of laughter. Unpleasant laughter spells, or "sham mirth", usually occur in people who have a neurological condition, including patients with [[pseudobulbar palsy]], [[multiple sclerosis]] and [[Parkinson's disease]]. These patients appear to be laughing out of amusement but report that they are feeling undesirable sensations "at the time of the punch line".

Excessive elation is a common symptom associated with [[bipolar disorder]] psychoses and [[mania]]/[[hypomania]]. Those with schizophrenic psychoses seem to experience the opposite—they do not understand humor or get any joy out of it. A fit describes an abnormal time when one cannot control the laughter or one's body, sometimes leading to seizures or a brief period of unconsciousness. Some believe that fits of laughter represent a form of [[epilepsy]].<ref>Fry, W. F. (1963). ''Sweet Madness: A Study of Humor''. Palo Alto, Ca: Pacific Books Publishers</ref>