Pseudobulbar affect post stroke

Maruzairi H and Koh CH

Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

ABSTRACT      

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a disorder characterised by uncontrolled outburst of laughing or crying that lack of an appropriate environmental trigger and may be exaggerated or incongruent with the underlying emotional state. PBA symptoms are common among patients with neurological conditions due to dysfunction in the cortico-pontine-cerebellar circuit. In view of the common features shared by PBA and depression, it is often not recognised in a general medical setting and may be misdiagnosed as depression. Early recognition of PBA by using specific diagnostic criteria will help to improve patient’s quality of life.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular accident, stroke, pseudobulbar affect

Correspondence author: Maruzairi HUSAIN. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Tel: 609 7676710, Fax: 609 7659057E mail: drzairi@usm.my

 Brunei Int Med J. 2015; 11 (1): 59-61