Laughing crying fits

Hi Steve,

Thank you for posting your question on EnableMe. It can certainly be a frustrating experience having laughing fits after stroke. Similar to uncontrollable crying with little or no reason, it sounds as though you are experiencing emotional lability or pseudobulbar effect. Emotional lability is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control our awareness of emotion and how our emotions are expressed and regulated. Although we cannot comment on medication, it would be best to see a neurologist or psychiatrist about medication management. A psychologist or neuropsychologist may also be useful to converse about strategies to manage what you are experiencing. You can access these health professionals through a GP.

Here are some resources that may be helpful

EnableMe emotion resource

The impact of stroke on controlling emotions- some useful strategies and tips on managing emotions

EnableMe forum- have a look at Heather’s comments

EnableMe blog- Jenny

Looking forward to reading other comments from our stroke community.

If you would like to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm AEST).

Warm regards,

Kath (StrokeLine)

Steve, I heard it so many times, that's why I'm afraid of laughing so hard. IDK that it really do happens.

Thank u for that feedback Kath. Much appreciated. Part of the problem is none of the team of health professionals I work with are familiar with stroke emotion issues, including the hospital Stroke Ward. This makes it a bit of trial & error on medication. Really need someone who has successfully dealth with it.🤔

Thank u for that feedback Kath. Much appreciated. Part of the problem is none of the team of health professionals I work with are familiar with stroke emotion issues, including the hospital Stroke Ward. This makes it a bit of trial & error on medication. Really need someone who has successfully dealth with it.🤔

Laughing is really hard when you have experienced a stroke. My way of laughing is I eat my laugh for real.

I had emotional lability ..no medication, and so anything like physio and speech therapy had me laughing all the time...it was embarrassing as I couldn't stop it but the therapists were good about it. 

Alternately if I got a little frustrated by people not understanding me properly, I would howl like a baby. If I was even the slightest bit upset, I would end up crying like someone had died on me!.Frustration made it so much worse. People would try to calm me down, and I got worse because I couldnt explain to them, I was fine!!!!

Worst part for me, was that I was back at work, and my boss used to send me emails instead of trying to talk to me face to face. He was a little scared by my reactions.  It did get better, and five years down the track, I do still have a few tears, and I laugh a little more than I should sometimes but Im good.  I didn't take medication..I just found that I slowly improved.  Also a speech therapist said to me, if you start to giggle, focus on a object, maybe a clock on the wall, and just breathe. It didn't work all the time, but it did work and brought me back to normal again.

Not sure how long since your stroke but I found time was the best cure. I'd also go with chatting with psychologist or neuropsychologist  too. Many specialists really dont understand emotional lability. I remember crying in hospital as I couldn't talk properly , and they thought I was in deep depression and called for a psychologist to check me out , who after chatting with me, told them, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her..she is just frustrated with being unable to communicate!! They knew nothing of emotional lability it seems.   Good luck and keep trying. You will get there.

That was spoken well @thekoalaz. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.What you do daily is what matters. Your brain responds to consistent stimulation. God speed!