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Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Aug 6, 2019

Here is a link to a Mayo Clinic article on PBA
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudobulbar-affect/symptoms-causes/syc-20353737?
PBA usually affects people with neurological disorders, such as people who have had a stroke, closed-head injury, MS, etc. It is characterized by uncontrollable crying or laughing (oftentimes at an inappropriate time). As I read this article, I was wondering if any Connect members are affected by this disorder. If so, could you share your experiences? For example: When did it start? How do you deal with it?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Aug 10, 2019
In reply to @lakelifelady "I suffered a TBI after a catastrophic car accident. Afterward while struggling to recover I found..." + (show)
@lakelifelady

I suffered a TBI after a catastrophic car accident. Afterward while struggling to recover I found that in heavy traffic, pounding rain , having a quick stop or close call,or coming upon an accident put me into uncontrollable sobbing or wailing. My arms often flew up too. It has been four years now since the accident but my startle response is still quite active and loud noises enrage me. I often have to go in the house and close the windows when neighbors mow their lawns.
It is all getting more normal with time but I still cry very easily with emotional situations or family tensions.

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@lakelifelady It's good that you recognize what you need to avoid and it must be frustrating for you. My dad also had a traumatic brain injury in his 60's and he would get very emotional and cry, but he also seemed to be drawn to tragedy and reacting to it. His childhood had been very stressful and traumatic, and he never got past the hurts in his life and he stayed angry about things that happened many years ago. He also cried when he saw the statue of the "End of the Trail" that was about the suffering and Trail of Tears for Native Americans. He always had a bit of a temper, but that got worse after the head injury. I hope your family understands and tries to help avoid these situations that would set off your emotions. Something like this can happen to anyone. I don't like loud noise either and carry foam earplugs in my purse in case I find myself somewhere that I need them. I find soothing music to be relaxing or playing with my cats.

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lakelifelady | @lakelifelady | Aug 11, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@lakelifelady It's good that you recognize what you need to avoid and it must be frustrating..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@lakelifelady It's good that you recognize what you need to avoid and it must be frustrating for you. My dad also had a traumatic brain injury in his 60's and he would get very emotional and cry, but he also seemed to be drawn to tragedy and reacting to it. His childhood had been very stressful and traumatic, and he never got past the hurts in his life and he stayed angry about things that happened many years ago. He also cried when he saw the statue of the "End of the Trail" that was about the suffering and Trail of Tears for Native Americans. He always had a bit of a temper, but that got worse after the head injury. I hope your family understands and tries to help avoid these situations that would set off your emotions. Something like this can happen to anyone. I don't like loud noise either and carry foam earplugs in my purse in case I find myself somewhere that I need them. I find soothing music to be relaxing or playing with my cats.

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Thank you Jennifer hunter for your kind understanding words. My family is loving and gentle with their mother, along with the great and grand kids. I am grateful.

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jl1 | @jl1 | Aug 29, 2019

I have it. It was so embarrassing. I would start crying in front of my bosses. And I would laugh when someone got hurt which was not at all appropriate. I thought I was going crazy! My primary doctor said it was peri-menopause. 5 years later, my neuro diagnosed it as pseudobulbar affect.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 30, 2019

Hello @jl1,

I am so pleased that you responded to this topic. If you are comfortable doing so, could you share with us when these crying/laughing problems began? Were there any triggers beforehand?

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1 reply
jl1 | @jl1 | Aug 30, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @jl1, I am so pleased that you responded to this topic. If you are comfortable..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @jl1,

I am so pleased that you responded to this topic. If you are comfortable doing so, could you share with us when these crying/laughing problems began? Were there any triggers beforehand?

Jump to this post

I have several symptoms that came on gradually so i am no real sure when each started but i think it started aroynd 2014 or 2015. I don't think there were any triggers. At firsr is was just crying slightly exaggerated. About a year and a half ago, it got really bad. I was crying hard for no reason.

I was so happy to find out that it was a neurogical reason. Now i take 50 mg of zoloft and don't have any issues with it.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 30, 2019

I'm so glad to hear that the Zoloft helped you, @jl1.

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