Dementia and dark humor: What the research says and how to cope Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Is there a relationship between dementia and dark humor What the research saysMedically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — By Oladimeji Ewumi on August 15, 2022Dementia encompasses different symptoms of cognitive decline. Researchers believe that dark humor can be a significant symptom and one of the early signs of dementia. Treatments can offer tremendous benefits to people who have an altered sense of humor due to dementia. Dark humor, also known as black comedy or morbid humor, is a style of comedy that some people may find distasteful or consider off-limits. It aims to make light of subject matters that people may consider severe or painful to discuss. Research suggests that dark humor might share common links and associations with dementia. This article explains the relationship between dementia and dark humor and considers whether there is any scientific research confirming the link between them. It also looks at coping strategies and treatment options for people with the condition. Dementia and dark humor Share on Pinterestistetiana/Getty ImagesIt is important to note that although cultural and social factors can influence whether humor is inappropriate in specific settings, jokes or comments containing elements of dark humor can make other people uncomfortable. However, dark humor alone may not necessarily be a cause of concern. Some people without a medical diagnosis may use it to cope with difficult situations or may simply find this type of humor amusing. There is no approach to humor that is objectively acceptable or unacceptable. Different people may find different things funny depending on many factors, including:contextmoodbeliefsidentitycultural backgroundlived experiencetheir relationship to the person participating in the conversation or joke However, dark humor can sometimes signify the progression of a medical condition such as dementia. Dementia is a general term that encompasses a range of conditions affecting neurocognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular disease dementia, and Huntington’s disease. The symptoms of these conditions can range from mild to severe and may affect memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. What the research says According to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, dark humor can be a sign of dementia. The study evaluated humor behavior and preferences in 48 people with dementia using questionnaires that their friends and family members completed. Those who filled out the survey had known the people with dementia for at least 15 years before the onset of the condition. The authors collected data on people with dementia-related conditions, including behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, semantic dementia, progressive nonfluent aphasia, and Alzheimer’s disease. They compared the results with those of healthy age-matched individuals with no history of neurological conditions. The study found that regardless of the specific condition they were living with, all of the participants had a high preference for childlike or slapstick humor and derived less pleasure from other genres of comedy. However, individuals with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and semantic dementia had a higher chance than others of developing dark humor in response to unpleasant and impersonal stimuli. Examples include laughing or assigning humorous value to highly inappropriate contexts that other people might not view as funny, such as a badly parked car, news stories on natural disasters, or watching a partner injuring themselves. The authors also noted that these participants’ comedy preferences shifted to “fatuous and farcical” with the progression of the condition. However, it is essential to note that this study did have some limitations. The sample of participants was small in number, and assessments involved third-party reports. Additionally, the researchers cited the need for additional studies to get a better understanding of the links between humor behavior and neurodegenerative conditions. Before this study, scientists knew little about the connections between humor expression and awareness in neurodegenerative diseases. However, an older study from 2014 suggests that social attributes and humor abnormalities can be a biomarker for neurodegenerative conditions that affect social and emotional signal coding. A 2016 study that assessed two people with a diagnosis of pathological humor indicates that both individuals exhibited an altered sense of humor, making families and friends uncomfortable. The study also noted that both people had sustained damage to the prefrontal cortex — the humor appreciation center of the brain. Stroke caused this damage in one case, and dementia was responsible in the other case. Dealing with dark humor in a loved one with dementia Depending on the severity of the dementia, many people who have developed a dark sense of humor may be unaware of it. Psychoeducation — which educates people about a condition they or a loved one has — can provide close friends and family with basic information and coping strategies for dealing with dark humor in a loved one with dementia. This can help prevent stigmatization and anxiety in the loved one. Caregivers can help a loved one with coping strategies. These may include: discussing the condition with friends and familiesavoiding locations or situations that can trigger dark humorchanging body position when an episode feels imminentengaging in meditation to calm the mindpracticing deep breathing to stimulate the brain and control the humorusing distraction techniques, such as taking a walk or counting nearby objects after an episode Other dementia symptoms that may affect social functioning According to a 2019 study, avoiding social interactions is a primary diagnostic criterion for dementia. The following are symptoms that can affect social functioning in people with dementia: repetitionmemory losspoor judgmentmood changeslanguage problemsacting impulsivelydifficulty following storylinesdifficulty following instructionsperforming familiar tasks in a longer timelack of interest in normal daily activitieslosing track of time, place, and seasontrouble recognizing spatial relationshipshallucinating or experiencing delusion or paranoia How to cope According to the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, some coping strategies that might help a person with dementia include: making a list of complex taskssetting up prompts and remindersaccepting unusual statementsexercising regularlyeating a nutritious dietrefraining from smoking and drinking alcohol seeking spiritual supportjoining dementia support groupsrelying on family and friends to helpfocusing on the positive aspects of the journey Caregivers can help people with dementia by: listeningexercising patiencecommunicating in simple, clear wordslimiting distractions that can cause miscommunications, such as a TV, laptop, or phoneassisting the person with exerciseadministering recommended medicationsattending regular medical appointments with themdiscussing their medical symptoms with the doctorincluding them in important decisions affecting their healthmaintaining a positive attitudekeeping a good sense of humor Treatment options Currently, no disease-modifying medications are available to cure a dementia-related dark sense of humor. However, treating the underlying condition may help improve the severity of the symptoms. A doctor can recommend medications to help treat dementia, including: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reuptake. This can help stabilize a person’s mood. Examples of SSRIs include:citalopram (Celexa)escitalopram (Lexapro)paroxetine (Paxil) Anticonvulsants Anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs treat conditions that cause seizures but can also help manage manic symptoms in people with a dark sense of humor in dementia. Some common types of anticonvulsants include: lamotrigine (Lamictal)valproic acid (Depakene)carbamazepine (Equetro) Dextromethorphan and quinidine drug combination Evidence from 2016 suggests that the dextromethorphan and quinidine combination indicated for pathological laughter may reduce laughter intensity without altering the need for humor. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved this treatment for dementia. Antipsychotics Antipsychotic medications can balance the chemical makeup of the brain to treat anxiety and nervous excitement in people with a dark sense of humor in dementia. Doctors may recommend second-generation antipsychotics in low dosages when other treatments prove ineffective. Examples include:olanzapine (Zyprexa)risperidone (Risperdal)quetiapine (Seroquel) Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT Having a dark sense of humor due to dementia can adversely affect a person’s life. A certified therapist can help the person learn how to control dark humor through CBT, a short-term form of talking therapy that can help people discover ways to regulate their behavior by changing their thought patterns. Outlook There are presently no reports on the number of people with a dark sense of humor due to dementia. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are 10 million new cases every year. Although there is no cure for dementia with a dark sense of humor, an early diagnosis can help healthcare professionals choose the best treatment. People with this condition can participate in clinical trials if they receive a diagnosis early. This can help researchers develop new treatments and eventually find a cure. Summary According to some research, people living with dementia have an increased risk of developing a darker sense of humor than they had before the onset of the condition. They are more likely to develop a sense of humor that many may consider “twisted” or socially awkward and make inappropriate jokes or statements. More research can help scientists understand the relationship between dementia and dark humor. Although there is no cure, an early diagnosis is key to starting treatment promptly. A doctor may recommend CBT alongside a combination of medications that effectively treat other neurodegenerative conditions. Last medically reviewed on August 15, 2022Mental HealthAlzheimer's / DementiaPsychology / Psychiatry 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Budgett, J., et al. (2019). The social functioning in dementia scale (SF-DEM): Exploratory factor analysis and psychometric properties in mild, moderate, and severe dementia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6317324/Caregiver's guide to understanding dementia behaviors. (n.d.). https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors/Chokhawala, K., et al. (2022). Antipsychotic medications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519503Clark, C. N., et al. (2015). Altered sense of humor in dementia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4820649/Dementia [Fact sheet]. (2021). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementiaGranadillo, E. D., et al. (2016). Pathological joking or Witzelsucht revisited. https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.15090238Irish, M., et al. (2014). Right anterior temporal lobe dysfunction underlies theory of mind impairments in semantic dementia. https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/137/4/1241/366497Jiang, T., et al. (2019). Cultural differences in humor perception, usage, and implications. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00123/fullUnderstanding and supporting a person with dementia [Fact sheet]. (2022). https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/factsheet_understanding_and_supporting_a_person_with_dementia.pdfWhat is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. (2021). https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementiaFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — By Oladimeji Ewumi on August 15, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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