Pseduobulbar affect - ie the Joker’s laughing syndrome

[Wired123]

Hi all, I’m sure many of you have seen the excellent recent Joker film where the character bursts into uncontrollable fits of laughter when he’s stressed/nervous/scared.

Turns out there’s a name for this, Psuedobulbar Affect (PBA) and it has a number of causes one of which is thyroid disease, both hypo and hyper. Some people alternatively get bouts of crying but it’s the heightened reaction to basic stimuli which is key to PBA, is a normal person would not be that affected by the situation.

Has anyone been diagnosed with PBA alongside their thyroid condition? I definitely have this issue as I’m known to get into fits of giggles at inappropriate times (at work during meetings for example) that go on for several minutes.

This isn’t a trivial matter and I’m hoping there is a potential solution/treatment option.

[greygoose]

I've never had fits of laughing at inappropriate times, but definitely the crying! Like in the middle of meetings at work, I would suddenly burst into uncontrolable sobbing for no apparent reason. Most embarrassing! I read that it was a hypo symptom, but not that it had a name of any kind. And, it hasn't happened to me since I started treatment for hypothyroidism.

So, perhaps, if you're still getting these attacks, it means you're not optimally treated yet?

[TSH110 in reply to greygoose]

Me too but in private, plus a lot of crazy ranting! It’s stopped now I haven’t shed a tear in years tho I still get grumpy

[greygoose in reply to TSH110]

Oh, if only it could have been in private!!! No, no, no. I had no control over it, and just burst into tears wherever I was - and whoever I was with!

[Wired123 in reply to greygoose]

I wonder if it’s treatable with thyroid meds or whether some other treatment is required.

Hoping for some other responses and experiences. It’s something that really hit home when I watched Joker over Xmas and realised it’s a real thing and not just be being a silly billy.

I’ve got into trouble so many times at work over this. My worst bout was when I giggled non-stop for 2 days at work (in an open plan office surrounded people). They thought I’d been taking drugs!

[greygoose in reply to Wired123]

If it's a hypo symptom, then I should imagine it will improve with thyroid hormone replacement. Certainly my crying did.

[Wired123 in reply to greygoose]

I think it’s a bit more complex than that, it can affect hypers as well. Not that much is known about it from what I can see. I will keep researching to find out more and share if I find anything useful.

[greygoose in reply to Wired123]

Could be. But, you're right, not much is known about it. Good luck with your research.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

It was an overdose symptom for me. It was embarassing and I was confusing everyone around me. Especially getting bad news, I was bursting into laughs, I thought I was losing my mind. Crying for me is both hypo and overdosed. And some people say thyroid is easy-peasy. Yeah right! LOL (controllable laugh this time ;))

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Oh, there's nothing easy about the thyroid!!! And, it's only doctors that say there is.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Of course, thyroid is ONLY responsible for metabolism. Not that human life depends on it!!! Pop a pill and you will be okay. Because "I learnt it from a book" (if you know this episode of Fawlty Towers with Manuel handling the reception). LOL

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

I haven't watched Fawlty Towers for a while, so I don't remember that bit. lol

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

It is hilarious! The clip: youtu.be/5035TY5RSpg(Not working as expected?)

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Oh, yes! I remember that bit! lol

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Haha

[Hidden]

I am so delighted that you posted it!!! When I was massively overdosed 4 years ago, I had it. I was bursting into laughs when someone was telling me bad news...it was embarassing and uncontrollable. Once meds adjusted, it went away. I was very worried at the time. So definitely affects hyper states. Never had it when hypo, so can't tell.

[Wired123 in reply to Hidden]

Ok at least my research is correct it can affect hyper and hypo. Hyper seems logical as the body’s systems are already in overdrive, hypo I’m struggling to understand the science but will keep digging.

I’m ashamed to admit I laughed when I was told my uncle had passed. Obviously I wasn’t happy about it but that was how my body reacted. I was only 20 years old and obviously sad for my cousins and aunt. Wasn’t diagnosed Hypo for another 5 years but I was surely a bit hypo by then.

[Wired123 in reply to Wired123]

I wasn’t on meds at the time so it can happen when you’re hypo and on no meds.

[Hidden in reply to Wired123]

Don't be ashamed. My friend was telling me about her brother dying in an accident and couldn't squeeze a tear I was so sick and detached. Like you're saying, it is your body, can't control it.Not sure how hypo would cause it, but! Hypo and hyper symptoms are very similar, it is probably depletion of some sort, either because of slow or fast metabolism maybe