Irreverance...Guilt...Humor

A client I work with was feeling guilty and ashamed of looking at and spreading funny memes about the virus...here 's what I know is true : 
I understand that humor in the face of tragedy seems irreverent and disrespectful at times. As a Nurse and Mental Health Counselor, I do know that humor is a defense mechanism that allows us to cope in the most surreal of situations. We try to find the irony and absurdity in what we are faced with, in short to help us live through it. " Laughter is the best medicine " is more true than not. If we can somehow poke fun at something that feels threatening, looming and large, we can feel a tiny bit of relief. I don't believe anyone sharing videos & memes is being intentionally disrespectful. Nor are they making light of the gravity of what the world is facing. I think we're all simply trying to process it as best we can. Some of the most twisted humor comes from doctors, nurses, undertakers, ambulance drivers....because it allows us to feel we aren't afraid of it for just one moment. 
If reading/sharing these things are really upsetting, step away from them. It really is that simple. I wish you peace in these scary times.

​Karen, LMHC, BSN RN, NCC