“I have a laughing sickness. ‘Is laughing a problem?’ you may wonder. This is for me. If I start laughing I can’t stop for 15-20 minutes. While watching or shooting comedy scenes, I literally roll on the floor laughing and the shoot has been stopped many times,” the actor revealed in an interview, Indiaglitz reported.
What is this situation?
known as Pseudobulbar Effect (PBA), this is a rare condition neurological condition affecting the brain and causing explosions uncontrolled laughter or I cry.
Anushka Shetty has not confirmed that she is suffering from this disease, but her PBA symptoms are similar to what she described in the interview.
Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) is a neurological condition characterized by sudden, uncontrollable attacks of laughing or crying that are disproportionate or inappropriate to the current situation. These emotional outbursts can be confusing and distressing for both the person 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.
PBA symptoms may vary in frequency and intensity. A person may laugh at a sad event or cry in a funny situation, and these episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The unpredictability of PBA can significantly impact quality of life and lead to social embarrassment, anxiety, and depression.
PBA can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often overlap with those of other emotional or psychiatric disorders. However, specific screening tools, such as the Center for Neurological Working-Lability Scale (CNS-LS), can help healthcare providers identify PBA.
Treatment for PBA typically includes medications to help control attacks. The FDA has approved the combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine specifically for PBA. Other treatments may include antidepressants, which show some effectiveness in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.
In addition to medication therapy, management of PBA includes educating patients and their families about the condition to reduce misunderstandings and develop coping strategies. Support groups and counseling can also be useful in providing emotional support and practical advice.
