Table 2.

Diagnostic criteria for pseudobulbar affect

Poeck25

• The emotional response is situationally inappropriate

• The patient’s feelings and the affective response are not closely related

• The duration and severity of the episodes cannot be controlled by the patient

• Expression of the emotion does not lead to a feeling of relief

Cummings: necessary elements of the episodes9

• A change from previous emotional responses

• Inconsistent with or disproportionate to mood

• Not dependent on a stimulus, or are excessive relative to that stimulus

• Cause significant distress or social/occupational impairment

• Not accounted for by another psychiatric or neurologic disorder

• Not due to a drug