Female patient crying due to PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA)

PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA) is a medical condition causing sudden, frequent, uncontrollable crying and/or laughing that doesn’t match how you feel. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurologic conditions.

It's more common than you think.

Learn more about PBA

Do you have PBA symptoms?
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If your crying or laughing doesn’t match how you feel

it could be a sign of PBA

It's more common than you think.

Learn more about PBA

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Could it be PBA? Take the quiz and talk to your doctor about your results.

Crying male patient with PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA)

PBA is different from depression

PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA) is sometimes mistaken for or attributed to depression, but the two are separate conditions with their own symptoms.

Learn about what PBA is—and isn't

Learn about what PBA is and isn't Learn more

Could you have PBA?

Your answers to these 7 questions can help you start the PBA conversation with your doctor.*

Take the quiz

Laptop with PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA) quiz

*The Center for Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) assessment was developed by healthcare professionals to help doctors determine whether a person is having PBA symptoms. It has been validated in ALS and MS patient populations. A clinical diagnosis is required to determine if a person has PBA.

Male patient laughing due to PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA)

Ask your doctor how to manage PseudoBulbar Affect

Get tips for talking to your doctor about your symptoms so you can start the conversation about PBA.

Neurologists and psychiatrists are the doctors who specialize in diagnosing PBA.

Prepare for your doctor's visit

I started crying over the simplest little thing. A TV commercial, you know? Or my son will say something. And I just bust out crying.

Get tips for living with PBA symptoms

Get a free PBA Info Kit

This free guide helps you understand PBA and record the impact of your or your loved one's uncontrollable crying and/or laughing spells. You'll also find tips and questions to help at your doctor's appointment.

Get a kit now