Pseudobulbar Affect: What is the condition Bahubali actress Anushka Shetty suffers from?

At a time when Bahubali fame Anushka Shetty is all set to do a role in Jayasurya-starrer Kathanar in Malayalam, a health condition that she is suffering from has become a discussion, online. A while ago, Anushka revealed in an interview that she suffers from 'Pseudobulbar Affect,' which is a neurological condition that makes the patient laugh or cry uncontrollably, disconnected from the person's actual emotions. According to the renowned Cleveland Clinic, it affects children and adults who have an 'underlying neurological condition' and affects people around 50% of people who have traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a motor neuron disease. Interestingly, the laughing or crying of the patient, who suffers from this condition, can be involuntary, sudden and even unpredictable. It can be 'out of proportion to the trigger' and can also 'Happen for no apparent reason,' according to the institution. 

How to diagnose whether you have it?
Apparently, it is difficult to diagnose whether a person has the condition and it is often wrongly diagnosed as a mood bipolar disorder, or depression. There is also no specific test to confirm it, though doctors diagnose it by analysing a potential patient's mental health history, neurological conditions and physical exam. Sadly, there is no definitive cure too for the disease, though medications are prescribed to manage it and reduce the frequency of the episodes. There is nothing that can be done to prevent it either, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

How do patients handle it?
Those who experience such uncontrollable laughter or crying episodes are advised to take slow and deep breaths and remain calm until the episode subsides. They can try focusing on something else, relax their muscles, change body positions, tell people around them about their condition and help their body accept the situation, through the guidance of a healthcare provider. "Know that pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a medical condition, and it’s manageable with medication. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop signs of PBA," says the Cleveland Clinic.