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% 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.
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 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.