Affect incontinence

In the affective incontinence or pseudobulbar affect disorder (PBA) is a reduction in the control capability of emotional expressions. These jump up sharply and their extent cannot or only partially be controlled by the person. Minor triggers (e.g. an uncomfortable idea) lead to an excessive or inadequate reaction (e.g. violent crying or laughing). The excessive reaction is recognized as such by the person concerned and is felt as embarrassing, especially at the beginning of the illness. Affect incontinence must be distinguished from affect lability, which those affected do not experience as embarrassing or pathological.

The following disorders can lead to affect incontinence or pseudobulbar affect disorder:

• dementia
• stroke
• Alcohol abuse
• traumatic brain damage
• Organic psychosyndrome
• multiple sclerosis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Attempts at therapy with various antidepressants or dextromethorphan seem to be the most promising .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ A. Völz: Psychiatry. 2nd Edition. Urban & Fischer, 2012, ISBN 978-3-437-42227-0 .
2. ↑ Marcus Beck, Klaus Toyka: Pseudobulbar Affect Disorder in Multiple Sclerosis - What Helps Against Pathological Laughing and Crying? In: focus neurogeriatry . tape 1 , no. 2 , p. 28-28 , doi : 10.1007 / s12151-007-0034-1 ( researchgate.net ).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !