What is PBA, or

Pseudobulbar Affect?

PBA is a condition that causes uncontrollable crying and/or laughing that happens suddenly and frequently. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurologic conditions.

A person having a crying episode may cry when they don’t feel sad or when they only feel a little bit sad. Someone having a laughing episode may laugh when they don’t feel amused or when they only feel a little bit amused.

Images of people affected by Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

All participants are real patients/caregivers and have been compensated.

Participant is a real patient and has been compensated.

PBA is more common than you think

While there are almost 2 million people in the US with neurologic conditions or traumatic brain injury who have been diagnosed with PBA, over 7 million people in the US with these primary conditions have symptoms that may suggest PBA.*:

Estimated percent of people with common neurologic conditions who have PBA symptoms**

Learn more

*When considering patients with any of 6 common neurologic conditions associated with PBA, it is estimated that 37%, or an estimated 7.1 million Americans, have symptoms suggestive of PBA as defined by a CNS-LS (Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale) score ≥13 and 9.4% of patients, or an estimated 1.8 million Americans, with CNS-LS scores ≥21. The presence of PBA symptoms was defined as a CNS-LS score ≥13 and a more restrictive definition was also evaluated using CNS-LS ≥21. The CNS-LS was validated as a PBA screening tool in ALS and MS populations. A CNS-LS score ≥13 merits further diagnostic assessment.

**Work SS, Colamonico JA, Bradley WG, Kaye RE. Pseudobulbar affect: an under-recognized and under-treated neurological disorder. Adv Ther. 2011;28:586-601.

† Source: Prevalence data derived from professional and government organization websites.

PBA and Depression

PBA is a condition of emotional expression — crying and/or laughing that's exaggerated or doesn't match how you feel. It's different from depression.

PBA

PBA is neurologic which means it’s caused by damage to the nervous system.

DEPRESSION

Conditions like depression are psychological which means they’re related to a person’s emotional or mental state.

It's possible to have PBA and depression at the same time, but the two are separate conditions that should be diagnosed and managed separately.

What makes PBA different from depression*

PBA

Depression

Underlying Condition

You also have a neurologic condition or brain injury

You may or may not have a neurologic condition or brain injury

Signs

You have sudden, frequent crying and/or laughing

You may or may not have crying†

Control

Your crying and/or laughing spells are uncontrollable

You may have control over crying

Mood

Your crying and/or laughing is exaggerated or doesn’t match how you feel

Your crying matches how you feel

Time

Your crying and/or laughing episode lasts seconds to minutes

Crying is part of your depression that can last weeks or months

*Formal diagnosis of PBA or depression can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional (HCP). These are not all of the diagnostic features of depression or PBA. PBA occurs in the context of a neurologic condition/injury affecting the brain and is not explained by other causes such as medication use.

†Tearfulness/crying is not a diagnostic hallmark for depression diagnosis.

Wondering if you or someone you love might have symptoms that suggest PBA?

Answer 7 short quiz questions about you or your loved one’s uncontrollable crying and/or laughing episodes. At the end of the quiz, if you’re eligible, you’ll be directed to additional resources, including the PBA Nurse Talk* program.

Take the PBA Quiz

Here's what you can expect from PBA Nurse Talk:

A judgement-free and confidential conversation
Information about PBA
Guidance on how to talk about your crying and/or laughing episodes with your family, friends, caregivers and/or healthcare providers
Understanding and support for how your episodes impact your daily routines

*PBA Nurse Talk is sponsored by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is committed to supporting those who may be suffering from PBA. This program is offered at no cost to those eligible, does not require health insurance, and does not replace speaking with a healthcare provider – only a healthcare provider can diagnose PBA. PBA Nurse Talk conversations will remain completely confidential. PBA Nurse Talk is only available to people experiencing uncontrollable crying and/or laughing, not their caregivers.

MLR-PBA-US-0761-0822