/oss/taxonomy/term/4167/all en /oss/article/news/gelotophobia <p>Gelotophobia can best be defined as the “potentially debilitating fear of being laughed at.” A person suffering from gelotophobia may hear a stranger’s laugh and believe it is aimed at him or her. In extreme cases the response may be palpitations, breaking out in a sweat, or even violence. Some school shootings have apparently been triggered by classmates having made fun of the shooter. Gelotophobes have a fear of being ridiculed and unfortunately often cannot distinguish playful teasing from ridicule.</p> Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:40:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2181 at /oss