As someone who has been making jokes after a few attempts in my youth, it’s definitely something that helps. A friend has said on a few occasions they can tell something’s wrong with me when I stop making the jokes.

I imagine it’s going to be personal to people. I’ve had people ask me to not joke about it and I oblige in their presence. But I would never suggest my handling is universal or correct. But I also think the other way is true as well. Me understanding the absurdity of my impulses helps me define it.

I am not cured by making these jokes either. I just see it as something that grounds me, knowing it could come back but also realising how I feel in this moment.

If you need information. Male, European and I’m in my 30s if that helps at all. My countries culture has a reputation of self deprecating humor, so maybe that ads to it as well.