Pseudobulbar affect

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Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a form of emotional liability that causes sudden, inappropriate, uncontrollable laughing or crying which does not usually reflect the person's mood.[1] It is sometimes referred to as involuntary emotional expression, emotional incontinence, or uncontrollable laughing and crying.[2] PBA is a neurological disorder that is often mistaken for depression.[1]

Causes

Pseudobulbar affect is typically caused by neurological diseases or injuries including multiple sclerosis, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury (a head injury causing loss of consciousness), or Parkinson's disease.[1][3][4] The emotional outbursts caused by PBA may last up to several minutes, and are different from how the person would normally have responded.[1]

Treatment

Nuedexta was approved by the FDA in 2010, and certain antidepressants may also be helpful, for example SSRIs and TCAs.[1][5]

Learn more

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lochhead, Jeannie D.; Maguire, Gerald A.; Nelson, Michele A. (July 31, 2018). "Pseudobulbar Affect Versus Depression: Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment". Psychiatric Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323544566000116
  3. https://mss-web-prod-cd.azurewebsites.net/care-and-support/resources-and-publications/publications-search/anger-laughter-and-tears-understanding-emotional-outbursts-in-ms
  4. Multiple Sclerosis Society (July 2015). "Anger, laughter and tears: Understanding emotional outbursts in MS" (PDF). Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. "Pseudobulbar affect Disease Reference Guide". Drugs.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.