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Suggest Remedy For Frequent Mood Swings
Question: Hello, I am frequently embarresed by feelings of crying over things that hit me emotionally. I know it's un-appapropriate most of the time, but a wave of emotion comes over me that I just can't control. I heard an advertisement about a condition called Bulbar something or other that might be my problem. i'm a male 78 years old, but this has been a problem for me for years now. I stopped going to church because of this stong emotional thing. can you help?
Brief Answer:
Some thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The Bulbar thing that I think you are talking about is PBA, Pseudo Bulbar Affect. This is a problem that can happen after a stroke or onset of a neurological disease, and involves out of control laughing and crying. If you did not have a stroke prior to the onset of your problem, or have another neurological disease, this is less likely.
I am wondering about if your symptoms started after you began the Ropinerole? Ropinerole affects dopamine levels and while this wouldn't be a common side effect, it is something to think about.
But is it possible that you are suffering from depression? People who have some underlying depression can be set off by various triggers and cry as you described.
The main difference between PBA and depression is that with PBA, there is no real connection between the laughing or crying and your thoughts; whereas in depression, the crying is associated with sad thoughts about what you are crying about. This is the most important difference.
I would advise seeing a psychiatrist to discuss if you might be having depression. Please be sure to mention that you have had this for many years, or they might be somewhat likely to attribute it to dementia.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification. And I hope you feel better soon.
Some thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The Bulbar thing that I think you are talking about is PBA, Pseudo Bulbar Affect. This is a problem that can happen after a stroke or onset of a neurological disease, and involves out of control laughing and crying. If you did not have a stroke prior to the onset of your problem, or have another neurological disease, this is less likely.
I am wondering about if your symptoms started after you began the Ropinerole? Ropinerole affects dopamine levels and while this wouldn't be a common side effect, it is something to think about.
But is it possible that you are suffering from depression? People who have some underlying depression can be set off by various triggers and cry as you described.
The main difference between PBA and depression is that with PBA, there is no real connection between the laughing or crying and your thoughts; whereas in depression, the crying is associated with sad thoughts about what you are crying about. This is the most important difference.
I would advise seeing a psychiatrist to discuss if you might be having depression. Please be sure to mention that you have had this for many years, or they might be somewhat likely to attribute it to dementia.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification. And I hope you feel better soon.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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