Gelastic Seizure (for DiversitySaturday)

More about Gelastic Seizure (for DiversitySaturday)

A gelastic seizure (GS) is a rare type of seizure involving sudden and uncontrollable bouts of laughter or giggling that often appear inappropriate and mechanical. While it shares common symptoms with pseudobulbar affect (PBA) [ see Flo Hendry's deepdreamgenerator.com/ddream/uc5159m0cjq ], the two conditions have different neurological origins. Public misunderstanding of both can lead to stigma, adding to the emotional burden. In pop culture, the condition is illustrated by Joaquin Phoenix's "Joker", although the character's uncontrollable laughter is portrayed there more as a psychological trait to emphasize chaos, rather than a reflection of an actual medical diagnosis.