Talk to your doctor about
Managing PBA
Unpredictable episodes of sudden, frequent, uncontrollable crying and/or laughter can be a challenge. But you can begin to manage Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) by taking these steps.


Unpredictable episodes of sudden, frequent, uncontrollable crying and/or laughter can be a challenge. But you can begin to manage Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) by taking these steps.
Because PBA only happens with certain neurologic conditions or brain injury, its symptoms are often misunderstood. Sudden, frequent, uncontrollable crying and/or laughing from PBA can be mistaken for other states or conditions, such as:
A disorder associated with mood swings
A mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness.
Learn more about PBA and depression(post-traumatic stress disorder) A disorder that follows a traumatic event, sometimes associated with conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Excessive laughter sometimes associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS)
A feeling sometimes communicated through crying, especially in people with Alzheimer’s disease
It is possible to have any of these symptoms while having PBA. Each condition should be diagnosed separately and managed by a doctor.
Only your health care provider can diagnose PBA. That's why it's important to give a full picture of your laughing and/or crying episodes —including how often they occur and their impact.
People with PBA often say they feel embarrassed. They may not want to talk about their condition. Let them know you understand that:
*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.
Caregivers of people with PBA experience a wide variety of feelings:
Feelings like these are normal and understandable. Whether you’re someone’s main caregiver or you provide occasional support, remember that PBA affects everyone—not just the person who has it.
Sometimes it’s easy to put all the focus on the person you’re caring for—and forget to care for yourself. Make sure to establish healthy habits of your own, such as:
If you know or care for someone with PBA, know you’re not alone. Our PBA Support Group is a community for caregivers, patients, and their friends and family to share resources, experiences, and tips on handling Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA). Join our Facebook group now.
PBA Nurse Talk
This program gives those experiencing relevant symptoms the opportunity to speak with a registered nurse about PBA.
Learn more and find out if you're eligible