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Episode 3: The Sad Clown Paradox

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Description

Hello wonderful people! In today's episode, I discuss the mental illness epidemic among comedians, whose primary job is to bring joy to those around them. We cover the "sad clown paradox," the personality traits underpinning an individual's desire to become a comedian and their simultaneous predisposition to mental illness, the drawbacks and positives of using comedy to cope with difficult times, and so on. I hope you enjoy, and tune in every Friday at 12pm for more!

Sources Used

  1. Ando, Victoria, et al. “Psychotic Traits in Comedians.” The British Journal of Psychiatry : The Journal of Mental Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24434072/. Accessed 26 June 2024.
  2. Boerner, Michaela, et al. “The Association between Sense of Humor and Trauma-Related Mental Health Outcomes: Two Exploratory Studies | Request PDF.” Taylor & Francis Online, Journal of Loss & Trauma, www.researchgate.net/publication/315872356_The_Association_Between_Sense_of_Humor_and_Trauma-Related_Mental_Health_Outcomes_Two_Exploratory_Studies. Accessed 26 June 2024.
  3. Christensen, Jen. “The Deep Emotions behind Stand-up Comedy.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Dec. 2018, www.cnn.com/2017/03/01/health/sad-clown-standup-comedy-mental-health/index.html.
  4. Doughty, Bryony, and Craig Perryman. “No Fooling around: Humour and Mental Health.” MQ Mental Health Research, 31 Mar. 2023, www.mqmentalhealth.org/no-fooling-around-humour-and-mental-health/.
  5. Roy, Lipi. “If Laughter Is the Best Medicine, Why Are so Many Comedians in Poor Health?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 25 Nov. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/lipiroy/2019/11/14/if-laughter-is-the-best-medicine-why-are-so-many-comedians-in-poor-health-and-dying/.
  6. Tsoi, D, et al. “Humour Experience in Schizophrenia: Relationship with Executive Dysfunction and Psychosocial Impairment.” Psychological Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18177530/#:~:text=In%20patients%2C%20d%27%20%28humour%29%20had%20significant%20negative%20correlation,detecting%20humour%20but%20similarly%20able%20to%20appreciate%20humour. Accessed 26 June 2024.
  7. “What’s the Deal With Comedians and Depression?” ABC News, ABC News Network, 12 Aug. 2014, abcnews.go.com/Health/deal-comedians-depression/story?id=24945911.