Pseudobulbar affect is a neurological condition that causes sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing or crying that do not match how a person actually feels. It occurs when underlying brain conditions or injuries disrupt the signals that regulate emotional expression, and it is known to accompany diseases such as multiple sclerosis. For public figures like Selma Blair, who has spoken about living with pseudobulbar affect secondary to her MS, the condition can be deeply misunderstood by onlookers who mistake an involuntary episode for intentional behavior.
(Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0))
Mentioned in: Selma Blair Is Trying to Manage Her Health After Plane Arrest: ‘It Can Be a Lot to Handle’ (Exclusive Source)