When I was a kid my parents took me to a psychologist because I had a nervous eye twitch. When I was stressed or upset I would kind of repetitively blnk my right eye forcefully and obviously.

Now I'm 33 and I am trying to overcome another nervous tic of sorts. When I'm speaking to an individual or group and I'm uncomfortable I tend to let out a laugh after I speak. Not a cracking up laugh, more of a "I once went on a trip to Europe! heh!" "I did my research project on blah blah! heh" "Hello, blah blah and nice talking to you!" heh!"

My father used to point it out but I was never really aware of it. A friend once pointed out that I do it and now I am aware of it on occasion.

Anyone ever have a similar issue and get over it?

Thought about recording it in my journal when I do it but I'm not sure if this will make me more conscious of it or just make me feel worse when I see how often its happening.

I don't dare record it in my journal, I'd take up too much space on the site and spend all day coming back to mention it.

I just feel better making people laugh; saying something funny rather than having to have a serious conversation; making them laugh rather than opening my mouth and showing what an idiot I am. Not that I am an idiot, just convinced I will sound like one.

I have no idea what the solution is. Maybe take myself and legitimate intelligence a little more seriously. While still being able to make people laugh and find the world as funny as it is at "appropriate" moments.

Is there a Toastmasters' group meeting near you?

Is there a Toastmasters' group meeting near you?Good idea. Yes there are many, forgot about this org.

Maybe you are secretly Canadian, eh? :)

Maybe you are secretly Canadian, eh? :)Ha! I'm cured. :)

On a more serious note: perhaps a Speech Pathologist could help?

On a more serious note: perhaps a Speech Pathologist could help?I don't know because my problem seems more emotional than physical, I only do this nervous laugh when I'm speaking to or in front of people I don't feel comfortable with.

I do know how difficult this can be both for yourself and those around you. An occasional visitor to one of the pubs i frequent has this issue and it is fairly obvious that he has no realisation of how often or how loudly his staccato "laugh" is. Though he is a interesting character nearly everyone finds it difficult to talk to him or be around him for any length of time, which would add to anyones feelings of social anxiety.

This gentlemans "laugh" is similar in volume to a small dog barking sharply once or twice at the end of every sentence. Sometimes his sentences are short and his stories long.

My opinion would be that therapy of some sort would be useful and though I have no evidence to back this up and hesitate to suggest it without any experience i have a feeling that clinical hypnotherapy might help, firstly to reduce anxiety and secondly to remove the tic.

kilt