“I have a laughing disease. You might wonder, ‘Is laughing a problem?’ For me, it is. If I start laughing, I can’t stop for 15 to 20 minutes. While watching or shooting comedy scenes, I literally roll on the floor laughing, and the shoot has been halted many times,” the actor had revealed in an interview, Indiaglitz reported.
What is this condition?
Known as Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), this is a rare neurological condition that affects the brain and causes outburst of uncontrolled laughter or crying.
Anushka Shetty has not confirmed about suffering from this disease, though the symptoms of PBA are similar to what she has described in the interview.
Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) is a neurological condition characterized by sudden, uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying that are disproportionate or inappropriate to the situation at hand. These emotional outbursts can be confusing and distressing for both the individual experiencing them and those around them.
PBA is often associated with neurological disorders or injuries that affect the brain, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. It occurs due to disruptions in the neural pathways that regulate emotional expression, leading to a mismatch between how a person feels and how they express those emotions.
The symptoms of PBA can vary in frequency and intensity. A person might laugh at a sad event or cry during a humorous situation, and these episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The unpredictability of PBA can significantly impact the quality of life, leading to social embarrassment, anxiety, and depression.
Diagnosing PBA can be challenging, as its symptoms often overlap with those of other emotional or psychiatric disorders. However, specific screening tools, such as the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS), can help healthcare providers identify PBA.
Treatment for PBA typically involves medication to help control the episodes. The FDA has approved a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine specifically for PBA. Other treatments may include antidepressants, which have shown some efficacy in reducing the frequency and severity of episodes.
In addition to medication, managing PBA involves educating patients and their families about the condition to reduce misunderstandings and improve coping strategies. Support groups and counseling can also be beneficial in providing emotional support and practical advice.