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Patient Resources for Living with Pseudobulbar Affect

Categories: Pseudobulbar Affect Hub

Living with Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) can feel frustrating, embarrassing, confusing, or even scary. Here are some tips for living with PBA to help lessen these negative feelings. Keep in mind that these tips are not substitutes for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about other ways to cope with PBA and whether a treatment plan might be appropriate.

Five Tips for Taking Back Control Over PBA

  1. Be open about having PBA so people around you are not surprised or confused when you have an episode.
  2. When you feel an episode coming on, try to distract yourself by counting the number of objects on a shelf or by thinking about something unrelated.
  3. Take slow, deep breaths until you feel more in control.
  4. Relax your forehead, shoulders, and other muscle groups that tense up during an emotional episode.
  5. Change your body position. Note the posture you take when having an episode. When you think you are about to cry or laugh for no reason, change your position.

Exploring Treatment Options for PBA

If your PBA symptoms are really debilitating, it might be worth speaking with your doctor to see if treatment options are right for you.

Before your appointment, write down your questions and concerns. Use a method that works for you. This might be a notes app in your phone, using pen and paper, or recording voice memos. You can also write down a description of your episodes, to help you better explain what happens.

Consider enlisting the support of a caregiver, family member, or friend to be your advocate. Bring them along with you so they can help you remember what your doctor says.

If you have any concerns, be honest about them! Medical professionals are there to help you and to provide their expertise. Ask them about treatment options. While PBA can’t be cured, it can be controlled.

Tips for Coping with PBA

Living well with PBA is possible! Lessen the emotional toll PBA can take on everyday life by trying these tips:

  1. Visit and communicate with your doctor: Be candid about your symptoms and concerns to help lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  2. Raise awareness about PBA: Talk to your friends and family about how PBA affects you. Educate them about potential episodes so they are not overly surprised or overwhelmed when the episodes occur.
  3. Build a support network: Identify people and resources that can help you feel less alone and more informed about managing PBA.
  4. Share your story: Individuals living with PBA are not alone. Consider sharing your story to inform or inspire others.