Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

When the parts of the brain that control emotions are injures, pseudobulbar affect (PBA) occurs. This neurological condition is also known as emotional lability, reflex crying or involuntary emotional expression disorder, among others.

PBA occurs as a result of several neurological diseases, such as:

• Stroke
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Parkinson’s
• Traumatic brain injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Dementia

Those with PBA have involuntary bouts of crying, laughter or anger. The effects are uncontrollable and can occur without an emotional trigger. The outburst may be out of proportion, e.g., something slightly sad yields exaggerated weeping. On the flip side, sad or somber occasions might spur inappropriate laughter. Or there could be rapid switching between laughing and crying. Often there is understanding that the response does not match the feeling. The cause is a neurological disconnect between the brain’s nerve connections or chemistry that interferes with accurate emotional expression.

The good news is that PBA can be treated. The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis. Ask your health care professional about PBA treatment options. Educating caregivers and other family members is also important.

These coping techniques may help:

• Be open about the problem so people aren’t surprised or confused when you have an episode.
• Distract yourself by counting the number of objects on a shelf or by thinking about something unrelated when you think you’re about to have an episode.
• Take slow deep breaths until you’re in control.
• Relax your forehead, shoulders and other muscle groups that tense up during an episode.
• Change your body position. Note your posture when you’re having an episode.
• When you think you’re about to cry or laugh, change your position.

These tips aren’t substitutes for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about additional ways to cope with your PBA episodes. Because people with PBA may cry a lot, their symptoms are often confused with depression. But PBA is not depression. In the past, PBA has been treated with anti-depressants, although they may only be moderately successful.

Ongoing research into stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and ALS continues to increase our knowledge about PBA. If you’d like to participate in a clinical trial, go to clinicaltrials.gov to find a study near you. In the meantime, it’s always important to communicate all of your symptoms to your health care professional as you work towards a treatment plan.