Expressing emotions is an important part of human communication. How do we know when someone is happy? Surprised? Sad? Angry? Only the expression of these emotions can tell us what the person in front of us is feeling and help us determine our response.

Two of the clearest and most common expressions of human emotion are crying when we are sad and laughing when we are happy or when something is funny. Now think about what would happen if we lost control over tears and laughter and cried or laughed at the wrong places in social situations, without the ability to control the expression of these emotions.

The reason for this loss of control over crying or laughter might be pseudobulbar palsy, more commonly known as PBA, which is the result of neurological disease or brain damage such as that caused by a stroke or head injury. 10% of those who suffer from neurological damage or disease suffer from PBA. 

PBA damages patients’ ability to communicate and can affect their employment, social life and family life. On one hand, most people do not understand these strange, spontaneous and uncontrollable responses, and distance themselves from the person demonstrating them; and on the other hand, embarrassment and fear of an outburst can cause patients to avoid social situations and isolate themselves. There is no doubt that this condition dramatically affects the patient’s quality of life.

The reasons for PBA are not completely clear, but it is hypothesized that damage to the connection between the cerebellum and other areas of the brain leads to disconnection between the patient’s laughter or crying and their actual emotions and feelings.

Today, treatment is available with medication that can help reduce the outbreaks of the syndrome. If you suffer from PBA, talk with your doctor about treatment options.