Witzelsucht is considered a disorder of mirth or humor, which is distinct from disorders of laughter. Patients with Witzelsucht are essentially insensitive to humor, but are capable of producing it while other patients excessively laugh, often at things that are not funny. The most common disorders of laughter are associated with pseudobulbar palsy, which can be caused by severe brain trauma, most commonly in the right hemisphere. Pathological laughter in this can be triggered by trivial stimuli, which could be disconnected from the underlying mood, and be combined with crying. Pathological laughter can also occur in the absence of pseudobulbar palsy. Gelastic (laughing) seizures are another neurological case of inappropriate or excessive laughter occurring in brief bursts. Treatment for these disorders can include antidepressants and antimanic agents.Mendez, M.F., Nakawatase, T.V., & Brown, C.V. (1999). Involuntary laughter and inappropriate hilarity. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 11(2), 253-258.
