Discovered something today. When I was young, when I laughed hard I'd lose the strength and/or control in my hands for a short while, perhaps a few minutes. I clearly remember being unable to write; I could barely hold a pen, and certainly couldn't do anything with it.
Hardly a crippling affliction but at least I know that it's recognised now, and with its own name - cataplexy. I must have grown out of it before teenage arrived.
I discovered cataplexy in my mid 20's, after I was married.
When, and only when, my wife was attacking me in a humorous manner would I basically collapse in a heap against the wall while laughing hysterically. I couldn't raise my arms to "defend" myself until the laughing stopped.
Hasn't happened in a while, but perhaps it's just that I'm less adorable and attack-worthy than I used to be :)
It's intriguing that you mention laughing hysterically, something twigged, it reminds me of me at the time as well. I don't think the situation necessarily warranted such extreme laughter in me, even if funny I wonder if it was that funny.
In fact I wonder if the condition caused me to laugh excessively. It almost fits in with what you say too - make sense?
Maybe, it's hard to say. I'm not sure if my wife's "attacks" on my were uniquely funny or not. If they weren't, then I guess some additional factor must come into play for triggering cataplexy?
Hardly a crippling affliction but at least I know that it's recognised now, and with its own name - cataplexy. I must have grown out of it before teenage arrived.