December's Monthly Topic: PBA

Author Disclaimer I am in no a professional of any kind. I am strongly against self-diagnosis, and encourage my audience to please seek the professional advice of their own trusted medical professional and any other trusted professional depending on the topic at hand. The Abler Blog ONLY PROVIDES LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION, and ALWAYS CITES WHERE THEY FIND THEIR RESOURCES AND OR INFORMATION. Jessica Niziolek, Founder Of The Abler Blog, and online community. Resources Used: mayoclinic.org December’s Topic: Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) What Is Pseudobulbar affect? This condition is a serious of sudden, uncontrolled and in appropriate episodes of laughing or crying. Who Does This Effect And Why? This condition happens to people that have certain neurological conditions or brain injuries, that effects the part of the brain, that can effect the person’s emotions. When this happens, the person can and does embarrassed when this happens, and this can disrupt their daily lives. Can This Condition Be Misdiagnosed? The short answer is, yes it can. Often PBA is mistaken for a mood disorder. But once you get the proper diagnosis of PBA. Then ot can be treated with medication. How Is Pseudobulbar affect Diagnosed? PBA is typically diagnosed by performing a neurological evaluation. Because this condition can be mistaken for more than just one disorder, it is very important that the person be very detailed in sharing what occurs during the episodes-their emotional state. What Types Of Doctors Diagnosis PBA? internists, neuropsychologists, neurologists and psychiatrists. What Is The Main Goal For Treating PBA? The main goal for treating this condition, is to help the person reduce the severity and frequency of the episodes that they can live as “normal” and full like as possible while having/living with PBA. What Are Some of The Possible Medications That Could Be Prescribed? Antidepressants. Antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help reduce the frequency and severity of your PBA episodes. Antidepressants for the treatment of PBA are typically prescribed at doses lower than are those used to treat depression. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate (Nuedexta). This is the only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is designed to specifically treat PBA. A study on people with MS and ALS showed that those taking the medication had only about half as many laughing and crying episodes as did those taking the placebo. ***PLEASE NOTE*** Your doctor/specialist will help you decided which medication(s) will help you the most. Taking into consideration the side effects you could experience, as well as if they will or won’t interfere with any other medications that may be currently taking for another health condition(s). An OT may also be able to help you find solutions to help you complete every day tasks in the midst of your PBA.