Why stroke survivors
should know about PBA

Pseudobulbar Affect, or 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, including stroke.

38 %
38% of stroke patients

have symptoms that may suggest PBA, according to a survey of 757 stroke patients (or their caregivers).*

*Brooks BR et al. PRISM: A Novel Research Tool to assess the Prevalence of Pseudobulbar Affect Symptoms across Neurological Conditions. 2013. PLOS ONE 8(8): e72232.

Get to know Jim

Jim is a stroke survivor living with PBA.

Jim suffered from two strokes in 2013. While he was still in the hospital recovering, he began to experience episodes of uncontrollable crying and laughing. His wife and caregiver Marilyn was there to witness it all. “I remember one of our friends came to visit and he had some pretty bad episodes, so we knew something was wrong.”

Fortunately for Jim, his psychiatrist recognized the signs of PBA and diagnosed him right away. “Having a name put on the issue gave me hope,” he said.

Before having his strokes and PBA episodes, Jim rarely got emotional. Afterward, little things like seeing cute animals or heartwarming stories would trigger uncontrollable crying and laughing, sometimes at the same time.

Marilyn explained how PBA has changed Jim’s behavior. “I think the difference is, before the stroke, he could stop laughing or crying anytime he wanted to. After the stroke, that totally changed. This is something he can’t control once it comes on.”

“PBA can be frustrating because you’re not sad, despite how it looks,” Jim said.

Jim, patient with Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

“

PBA can be frustrating because you’re not sad, despite how it looks.

”

Jim is a real patient and has been compensated.

Take the PBA Quiz

Have you or a loved one suffered from a stroke and are now experiencing uncontrollable crying and/or laughing episodes? Take the PBA Quiz and share the results with your healthcare provider.

The PBA Quiz

Could you or someone you care for have Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)?

PBA can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurologic conditions. There's a 7-question quiz to help determine if you or your loved one is experiencing symptoms that could suggest PBA.

Take Me to the Quiz

I’m taking this quiz for:

Next

Errors

There are times when I feel fine one minute, and then I'll become tearful the next over something small or for no reason at all.

There are times when the person seems to feel fine one minute, and then becomes tearful the next over something small or for no reason at all.

Others have told me that I seem to become amused very easily or that I seem to become amused about things that really aren't funny.

Others have told the person that they seem to become amused very easily or about things that really aren’t funny.

I find myself crying very easily.

The person finds himself/herself crying very easily.

I find that even when I try to control my laughter, I am often unable to do so.

The person finds that, even when they try to control their laughter, they are often unable to do so.

There are times when I won’t be thinking of anything happy or funny at all, but will suddenly be overcome by funny or happy thoughts.

There are times when the person I care for won’t be thinking of anything happy or funny at all, but will suddenly be overcome by funny or happy thoughts.

I find that even when I try to control my crying, I am often unable to do so.

The person finds that, even when they try to control their crying, they are often unable to do so.

I find that I am easily overcome by laughter.

The person finds that they are easily overcome by laughter.

Have you experienced or suffered from any of the following conditions?

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Errors
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Survey Question & Answers

The PBA Quiz is based on the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS). This assessment was developed by healthcare professionals to help doctors determine whether a person is having PBA symptoms. It has been validated in ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patient populations. The PBA Quiz is not a diagnostic tool and is not intended to substitute professional medical assessment and/or advice. Only a healthcare provider can diagnosis PBA.

Talk to your healthcare provider about PBA

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Then prepare for your appointment by reviewing our doctor discussion resources.