Humor in Psychiatry: Lessons From Neuroscience, Psychopathology, and Treatment Research

Abstract

Humor is a ubiquitous human characteristic that is socially motivated at its core and has a broad range of significant positive effects on emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Simultaneously, however, impairments in humor abilities have often been described in close association with the occurrence and course of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, social anxiety, or depression. In the past decade, research in the neuroimaging and psychiatric domain has substantially progressed to (i) characterize impaired humor as an element of psychopathology, and (ii) shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the role of humor in neuropsychiatric diseases. However, (iii) targeted interventions using concepts of positive psychology have revealed first evidence that a systematic training and/or a potential reactivation of humor-related skills can improve rehabilitative outcome in neuropsychiatric patient groups. Here, we sought to integrate evidence from neuroscience, as well as from psychopathology and treatment research to shed more light on the role of humor in psychiatry. Based on these considerations, we provide directions for future research and application in mental health services, focusing on the question of how our scientific understanding of humor can provide the basis for psychological interventions that foster positive attitudes and well-being.

On the specificity of figurative language comprehension impairment in schizophrenia and its relation to cognitive skills but not psychopathological symptoms - Study on metaphor, humor and irony

“…Therefore, as Piovan et al (2016) suggest, contemporary recovery criteria should go beyond symptom remission and focus on personal and social functioning in various aspects of life. Furthermore, some researchers indicate clearly that such pragmatic language-based interventions (e.g., humor-based intervention) may be helpful in the transfer of linguistic skills into everyday life and improve coping mechanisms that utilise subjects' personal and social resources ( Berger et al, 2021 ). However, the evidence is scarce, and although promising, the effects are still inconclusive ( Cai et al, 2014 ; Gelkopf et al, 1994 , Gelkopf et al, 2006 ; Tsujimoto et al, 2021 ).…”

“…However, the evidence is scarce, and although promising, the effects are still inconclusive ( Cai et al, 2014 ; Gelkopf et al, 1994 , Gelkopf et al, 2006 ; Tsujimoto et al, 2021 ). Thus, the importance of developing patient-characteristic intervention depending on the duration of illness, neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning, the severity of symptoms, etc., is still an important goal to conquer, and more research and more long-term interventions have to be provided to shed light on the possible benefits in everyday life of these individuals ( Berger et al, 2021 ). By illustrating specific difficulties in comprehension of humor, metaphors, and irony that are prominent in people with schizophrenia, our findings indicate the relevance of including communication skills training (e.g., recognising, interpreting, or using figurative expressions) in rehabilitation/therapy programs to alleviate social disability associated with the disease.…”

A Comprehensive Review on the Effects of Humor in Patients With Depression

“…Unfortunately, this positive expression in human interaction is deficient, particularly in individuals with mood disorders [ 5 ]. This was one aspect of the relationship between humor and depression explored in a study by Berger et al, where he summarized several empirical studies that examined the complex connection between humor and psychopathologies, especially depression [ 6 ]. They deduced that the humor abilities of these patients were significantly impaired [ 6 ].…”

“…This was one aspect of the relationship between humor and depression explored in a study by Berger et al, where he summarized several empirical studies that examined the complex connection between humor and psychopathologies, especially depression [ 6 ]. They deduced that the humor abilities of these patients were significantly impaired [ 6 ]. In agreement, Falkenberg et al noted that the humor-abilities of patients with depression were associated with their depression scores, not necessarily impacting their symptoms of depression [ 7 ].…”

“…In agreement, Falkenberg et al noted that the humor-abilities of patients with depression were associated with their depression scores, not necessarily impacting their symptoms of depression [ 7 ]. One plausible explanation was to look at the neural mechanism of humor from two distinct angles: cognition and emotion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging [ 6 , 8 ]. The cognitive and emotional aspects of humor-processing affect the frontotemporal and mesocorticolimbic brain areas known for language [ 9 ] and pleasure [ 10 , 11 ] operations, respectively.…”