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Emotional lability, or the regular occurrence of emotional displays out of proportion to what is happening, can be a symptom of various conditions involving the brain. Symptoms can include laughter, crying, or explosive tempers, and can be caused by head injuries, degenerative brain disorders, learning disabilities, or postpartum depression. Treatment can include coping strategies, medication, therapy, and relaxation techniques. In severe cases, emotional lability may simply be tolerated.
The ability to control the expression of emotions exists in most people. Sometimes a person laughs or finds himself crying about something that is not very sad; even worse, anger can get out of control if people don’t figure out how to keep it under control. While these experiences are common, the regular occurrence of emotional displays out of proportion to what is happening, also called emotional lability, is not so normal. Being labile – unstable or subject to rapid change – tends to emotionally suggest the presence of a number of conditions that may involve the brain.
Symptoms of emotional lability can vary from individual to individual and by frequency of occurrence. Laughter or jerky crying are two examples. Some people demonstrate this more with explosive tempers, and there may be instances where people will experience all three emotionally excessive expressions at different times. When these expressions occur, it is often disheartening for the people who experience them because many people know that their emotional response is in excess of the circumstances. It can even become embarrassing for some individuals or be a condition that makes them socially withdrawn.
The causes of emotional lability are diverse. People can experience this condition after suffering a head injury or having a stroke. It can be a symptom of degenerative brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Those who have Alzheimer’s disease may develop emotional lability. It is also sometimes seen in common learning disabilities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or the symptoms could be indicative of postpartum depression or psychosis. There may be other causes.
Symptoms of emotional lability tend to be more likely at certain times. Sudden and excessive emotional displays tend to be especially common when people are tired, under pressure, in unfamiliar situations, or are feeling stressed. Worry about a sudden emotional expression can actually cause it, making things more difficult. Part of the treatment for this disorder is to help people find coping strategies and ways to be in social situations that give them some control back. For example, asking someone to ignore a behavior like nervous laughter might be a way to get that laughter under control more quickly.
There are other treatments for rapidly changing emotions. These could include medications that help a slightly dull emotional response, especially some forms of antidepressants. Additional treatment for emotional lability could be done in the form of therapy work, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful in bringing the person out of the labile state.
Not everyone is able to receive psychological treatment, based on relaxation or a coping strategy. If severe brain deterioration has occurred, emotional lability can simply be tolerated, provided it does not harm the person suffering from it. This could be the case for those with advanced stages of dementia, severe retardation, or massive irreparable brain damage.
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