Differences between PseudoBylbar Affect(PBA) and depression

PBA is a condition of emotional expression, such as, crying and/or laughing, that is exaggerated or does not match how you feel. It is different from depression. PBA is a neurologic. That means it is caused by damage to then nervous system. Depression is psychological which means it is related to a person's emotional or mental state. It's possible to have PBA and depression at the same time, however, the two are separate conditions. They should be diagnosed and managed separately. UNDERLYING CONDITION PBA: You also have a neurologic condition or brain injury. Depression: You may or may not have a neurologic condition or brain injury. SIGNS PBA: You have sudden, frequent crying and/or laughing. Depression: You may or may not having crying (Tearfulness is not a diagnostic hallmark for a depression diagnosis). CONTROL PBA: Your crying and/or laughing spells are uncontrollable. Depression: You may have control over crying. MOOD PBA: Your crying and/or laughing is exaggerated or doesn't match how you feel. Depression: Your crying matches how you feel. TIME PBA: Your crying and/or laughing episodes lasts seconds to minutes. Depression: Crying is part of your depression that can last weeks to months.