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What could cause a person to smile automatically without any intention?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have a bad habit of smiling at serious moments. Unfortunately, this is hampering my professional career. It is a childhood problem, but I was not bothered about it. Now I have started my career as a teacher, and sometimes at the height of serious moments, I smile automatically without any intention, which hampers my class control. I have no medical history, and I am not under any treatment. How can this problem be solved? Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Does this happen impulsively? Are there any associated symptoms? Do you feel the urge to do it? If you could answer these questions, I can help you better.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your answer.

No, I do not feel any urge for it. It just happens automatically and naturally. No symptoms are there. Just naturally, it happens. Please do help me. It is a question of my career. Yes, it happens impulsively. Please prescribe me some medicine that can cure this problem.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I will get back to you soon.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your answer.

I hope you have understood my problem. Please do prescribe me some medicine to get rid of the problem.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern, but I need to clarify something first. So I will be able to talk in the morning.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

When will you answer my question?

My query is still not satisfied.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sorry for the delay. Is there a reason why laughter starts or always follows serious matters? This is a kind of behavioral problem, not related to urges, no obsession. Use some aversive stimulus on yourself. Example - Tie a rubber band on your hand, preferably black, and pull it hard whenever you laugh at serious things. So it is a punishment for you. After some time brain will start connecting this habit with pain or punishment; hence you will stop doing it. Your problem is not related to other psychiatric illnesses where medicines can be prescribed. Apart from aversion, you could use reward or positive reinforcement with yourself, like rewarding yourself with a pizza if you spend two consecutive days without doing this act. This would also help you. There is also a disease called involuntary emotional expression disorder, but you do not seem to have this problem. It is a behavioral problem only.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your answer.

Please give me some medicine to cure the problem. Frankly, I will not be able to do whatever you said. Please assist me with medicine.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not think medicine will help. But if you want I can prescribe you one.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Could you please doctor?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I will ask support team to send a precription as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have not received any response from your team.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Did you get the prescription?

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 7, 2023
Reviewed AtSeptember 26, 2023

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