Emotional lability is commonly seen following Acquired Brain Injury. This problem is associated with emotional and behavioural dysregulation following damage to the frontal lobes of the brain and associated networks (i.e. executive functioning impairments).
The term ‘emotional lability’ means that the person has problems controlling their emotions, which may fluctuate rapidly. Emotional reactions may appear quite exaggerated, out of proportion and somewhat disinhibited. The person’s responses may, at these times, be perceived by others as inappropriate to the situation. For example, the person may:
- Smile or laugh in response to hearing distressing news.
- Over-react to humour.
- Be tearful/distressed one minute and then laughing a few minutes later or vice versa.
- Appear friendly and sociable and then suddenly become hostile and angry.
- Be calm one minute and then become suddenly agitated, potentially displaying challenging behaviour.
Emotional lability is frequently a prominent clinical feature during the early stages of recovery following brain injury, especially during the period of post traumatic amnesia. In a substantive number of individuals this problem tends to reduce with the passing of time.
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