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How do you get over the feeling that people are laughing at you?

241 Answers
Last Updated: 06/14/2022 at 1:34am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Polly Letsch, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I provide non-judgmental, person-centered, objective therapeutic treatment for individuals of all ages to improve social, emotional, mental and other areas of functioning.

Top Rated Answers
cuddlyDay48
November 18th, 2017 10:39pm
Never take them seriously..and be certain that they are trying to underestimate you because deep inside they know they are bad and trying to make them selves better by doing this..Ignore them..never let them make you feel down because the careless you seem the worse they will feel.
Anonymous
December 4th, 2017 6:08pm
See a therapist. It's an indication of Paranoia, which is a symptom of a number of psychological disorders.
straightasaflexibleruler
February 24th, 2018 12:33am
I try not to put too much importance on the opinion's of others. It doesn't matter if they are laughing at you or if they're not, don't care about it. It's them Not you. They have the problem.
Seen07
June 6th, 2018 7:18pm
It can be hard to get over the feeling that people are laughing at you. Something that I would do in those situations would be: 1) shake it off. Literally shake my body out of that feeling, and that helps me feel better. 2) talk to few of those people in a casual way and ask them to fill you in on the joke as you feel you could use a laugh. Most likely it would turn out that they were not laughing at you. (Hope it helps)
TKPool
June 20th, 2018 9:52pm
Hey there, that's a really good question! Mostly because it's something quite a few people struggle with, including myself. Often in public when we feel anxious the sound of laughter not coming from yourself can be the absolute worst sound there is, and with it brings the questions. "Are they laughing at me?" "What's so funny?" "Do I look funny?"...etc. However, 9 times out of 10 this is not the case! More often than not, it's just all in your head and it's the thoughts that get you. We've all got a little voice in our head that doesn't always help us out. That negative voice needs to be quieted down, and one way we can do that is through positive actions/thoughts. Think to yourself, "oh, they're just laughing about something funny that happened to them over the weekend" or "It's not about me, I'm not even in their social circle at the moment. It's got nothing to do with me." Never forget the power of self compliments either! Tell yourself that there is nothing to be laughed at about yourself, you are a strong, independent and beautiful being. Smile and keep your head up high, you've got this! Let the positives over-run the negatives in your life. Peaceful wishes xx
Anonymous
June 23rd, 2018 10:00am
Remember that the only reason you feel bad about it is because you care what they think. It only makes sense to care what people think because we were born into a society that places a premium on peer validation but really, the only person you ever have to report to is yourself. The sooner you stop giving a damn what they think of you, the sooner you'll feel less unsettled when they laugh.
Andrew77889
June 30th, 2018 6:50am
I feel you don't get over the feeling, it's innate. Nobody likes being laughed at. But what we can do is choose to see value from ourselves and not the value others claim. So immunity no, capability to manage, that I believe to be true if you find value in yourself.
Infpbutalive
December 12th, 2014 5:12pm
For me if it is not meant to be mean I laugh along with them. Otherwise, I will tell them that what they are doing is upsetting me.
Arkelight
December 28th, 2014 3:00am
You first have to answer the question, why do you feel that people are laughing at you. This sort of negative thinking, which could be classified as Rumination often has an underlining cause. There are techniques out there to help manage this however, I would suggest definitely looking into it.
Anonymous
June 30th, 2015 12:47am
I get over that feeling by smiling and pretending I'm alone, or surrounded by friends. I also look at the situation to see if people are laughing at me or something around me!
Rockandrollrocks
December 12th, 2015 9:54am
Self-assurance. When you know your worth, everyone else will too. Own your personality! If you doubt yourself, others will too.
Anonymous
December 20th, 2015 10:41am
Most people only focus on themselves and their appearance when they're out. They probably didn't even notice you, let alone they're laughing at you. There is no spotlight on you. People are never laughing at you. You're safe outside.
Shikamaru42
December 23rd, 2015 12:13pm
I personally try to keep my mind focused on the facts when such feelings arise. I mean, most of the time, if you think about it, that feeling turns out to be based on nothing but one's own insecurities. There often is little to no evidence for people actually doing that.
MusicBenjamin
December 30th, 2015 1:32am
Laugh at yourself as well. Recognize that life is a serious thing, but doesn't need to be taken seriously all the time. Recognize the funny and enjoyable things and laugh together. Words can't hurt you, only your perception of those words can, so let potential negativity roll off like water off a duck's back. Let's all share a laugh!
MatthewTheMagical
June 8th, 2016 10:50am
It depends on who's laughing at me, and it depends in which way. I usually don't. I'll think about it all day, and maybe for more than a day.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2016 5:23pm
When you think about the situations, how many times do you remember that when you laughed at someone? and how long did you laugh, do you tease him/her till date? obviously no.
Thehonesthelpergoose
October 20th, 2016 4:49am
Don't give in to what they want. and that is to get to you. keep your head up even though sometimes that can be tough ....its worth it in the end.
Sunshine201
February 17th, 2017 8:16am
Spend more time with people who care about you ,close to you and truly respect you, it's important to feel loved and respected, then self suggest that every human on earth can't be like those encouraging people around you, doing anything as a small effort for yourself, works. It will take its own time, but any effort to get over that feeling is worth it, your will to overcome it will beat any negativity, trust in yourself,
Anonymous
March 15th, 2017 5:11am
Talk to someone about it or do something that makes me feel better and try to think of positive things instead of negative things
JD821
March 24th, 2017 7:59pm
You should learn to celebrate your strengths and laugh at your weaknesses, only then do you have control and can get past it. If others are laughing at you at your expense, chances are they need to make fun of you to make themselves feel better. As hard as it is, just ignore it and focus on yourself. At the end of the day, you don't need anyone's approval but your own.
bouncyVision80
April 27th, 2017 7:29am
One should learn to laugh at themselves. Try to know the reason why people laugh at you and taking it sportingly and correcting those things. Will eventually make you a better person and make you get over the feeling.
LittleCarol
May 12th, 2017 1:42pm
It's uncomfortable to feel as though you are being laughed at. Remind yourself that you are a valuable person and that you have the right to feel safe and supported.
xItsDeex
November 1st, 2017 8:37pm
Honestly I just ignore them. When I was younger it bugged me a lot. I got the urge to have a comeback at them but I was too weak and scared to say something back so I just stayed quiet and kept it in. Somedays I did talked back to them but when that’s the case they enjoy seeing you being bothered with it. They make you question yourself and the thing they’re laughing about. It doesn’t really matter it’s either not true or none of their businesses. When you give people a vibe that might make them think that you’re a “potential victim” they'll naturally aim for you they look for the weakest that’s simply the whole math. When you ignore them or keep your head high no matter what they won’t bug you and they even can find you cooler believe it or not. Keep your head straight, shoulders back and if they try to annoy you, hurt you or laugh at you try to laugh along or even better ignore the f out of them.
SerenRIC21
November 8th, 2017 12:14am
I'll accept the situation, the fact I'm feeling down by some incident of people laughing at me. But I'll let myself know it's not a all time with all person situation. Even who're laughing if I can, I'll approach them politely sometimes. I'll try to know them above the laughed at me feeling. I'll let them know myself better and sometimes it changes view point. Any situation like this I try to use my hobby or any strength to fill me with positivity. It helps me to give a confidence boost. No matter what I respect myself and be ready to cope with things. I don't hesitate to right myself and be a better person if I'm wrong in something. That helps a lot.
thapi
November 10th, 2017 4:11pm
asking people of what they think of you might end up creating some awkward moments which are not necessary one of the best ways is to do self evaluation and if you don't see a problem with yourself then lift your heard up and not think about others because there is not person who can motivate you better than yourself.
fictionfreak09
November 18th, 2017 4:02am
Well, sometimes our friends and family laugh at us just for fun without actually intending any harm to us. But sometimes we are a target for bullying that often comes in the form of mockery. i think the best way to deal with such mockeries is by ignoring them, and not letting any of such words get to us. We need to believe in who we are, and not on someone else's words.
newcounsellor
December 7th, 2017 3:30am
Cognitive behavioural techniques are helpful. Feelings are not always accurate, but if we monitor our thoughts, beliefs or assumptions - and then challenge if they are true (with evidence to support it) then more often than not we find that we cannot always rely on the validity of our mind. We can challenge these thoughts, with new behaviours, or, we can simply be aware of them and let them pass though without causing too much damage to our lives.
GrizzlyGummyBear
December 13th, 2017 3:25am
It's always best to assume a joke or rumour isn't about you until someone has confirmed that is it about you. You'll be much happier giving others the benefit of the doubt.
Anonymous
December 17th, 2017 3:53pm
I try to divert my attention to something else. Also i keep repeating to myself that people are not laughing.
WinterCallsHereo
February 28th, 2018 4:24am
Ask them if they are laughing at you, the best way to solve this one is to confront it, if they were laughing tell them you don't appreciate it and wish for it to stop.