Pseudobulbar Affect or Depression - A Clinician’s Dilemma

  • Pranjali Bansal Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research & affiliated Hospitals, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi.
  • Shruti Aggarwal Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research & affiliated Hospitals, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7386-6660
  • RC Jiloha Professor and Head of Department, Department of Psychiatry, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research & affiliated Hospitals, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi.
Keywords: Pseudo Bulbar Affect, Stroke, Mood Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder (IEED)

Abstract

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) may occur in association with a variety of neurological diseases, and so may be encountered in the setting of traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumours and extra pyramidal & cerebellar disorders. We present a case of 50 years old male, presenting with involuntary crying spells but no significant findings on neuroimaging or other investigations, leading to initial misdiagnosis of depression. Though there are characteristic features that can be recognized clinically for accurate identification of PBA, there needs to be a high level of suspicion and thorough clinical evaluation on the part of clinician for accurate diagnosis of PBA and early intervention.

How to cite this article:
Bansal P, Aggarwal S, Jiloha RC. Pseudobulbar Affect or Depression - A Clinician’s Dilemma. J Adv Res Psychol Psychother 2019; 2(3&4): 35-37.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2581.5822.201914

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Published
2020-04-01
How to Cite
Bansal, P., Aggarwal, S., & Jiloha, R. (2020). Pseudobulbar Affect or Depression - A Clinician’s Dilemma. Journal of Advanced Research in Psychology & Psychotherapy (E-ISSN: 2581-5822), 2(3&4), 35-37. Retrieved from https://medical.advancedresearchpublications.com/index.php/Psychology-Psychotherapy/article/view/206