New Delhi: Actress Anushka Shetty, who became famous worldwide with the blockbuster film ‘Bahubali’, told that she is suffering from a rare disease. This problem is commonly known as ‘laughing disease’, while in medical language it is called pseudobulbar effect (PBA). In this, the affected person suddenly starts laughing or crying uncontrollably.
42-year-old Anushka Shetty said in an interview to Indiaglitz, “I have a laughing disorder. You might be wondering if laughing is a problem?” For me, it is a problem. If I start laughing, I cannot stop for 15 to 20 minutes. While watching or shooting comedy scenes, I literally roll on the floor laughing and many times I have to stop shooting.
there is a feeling of embarrassment
Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar told The Indian Express that the ‘laughing sickness’ is medically known as pseudobulbar affect. Symptoms of pseudobulbar affect include sudden bursts of laughter or crying that last for several minutes (usually 15-20 minutes). He further added that often the trigger for the laughter can be trivial, meaning that the emotional activity is out of proportion to the triggering event. Other people present will not find it as funny and therefore the person suffering from the laughing sickness may feel embarrassed about their reaction.
How can you get relief
The expert further said, ‘Deep, relaxed and slow breathing while laughing can help. Diverting your mind to another topic can also help. Relaxing the muscles around the shoulders, neck and chest wall is also helpful.’ Neurologist Dr. Alok Mandalia told Firstpost that if this problem is not caused by neurological defects, then it can be due to psychological factors.
Anushka Shetty
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 25, 2024, 20:31 IST