Pseudobulbar affect

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Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), or emotional incontinence, is a neurological disorder characterized by brief, intense, uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing. The affect is triggered by emotionally trivial or neutral stimuli that are not necessarily related to the emotional state. PBA is a consequence of another neurological disorder or brain injury. Patients may find themselves crying uncontrollably at something that is only slightly sad, being unable to stop themselves for several minutes. Episodes may also be mood-incongruent: a patient may laugh uncontrollably when angry or frustrated, for example. Sometimes, the episodes may switch between emotional states, resulting in uncontrollable crying followed by fits of laughter. PBA is a severe disruption of momentary emotional expression rather than the persistent, excessive, and pervasive disturbances characteristic of mood disorders. Thus, it is to be distinguished from emotional lability as it occurs with depression. PBA, emotional lability...

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