WERE WE WATCHING THE SAME MOVIE? Pt. 1

My wife and I have established a new tradition the past several months. Almost without exception, on Saturday, we drive over to the Cobb Theater in the central Florida town of Lakeland, and attend a movie. Today was no exception.

As usual, we sat in the highest row of seats of the balcony. Within minutes what appeared to be a mother and daughter filed past us, and sat down on the same row; about five seats down from our own. The previews were in progress when suddenly the teenaged girl slammed her body backwards in her seat. As a result, a loud ‘thump’ echoed across the auditorium. After the movie began, and fifteen or twenty minutes had elapsed, suddenly the young lady acted out again. Although I could not determine what she was saying, ‘Laura’s’ momentary decibel level made it impossible to make out the conversation of the actors.

The movie finally concluded without any additional emotional theatrics from the teenage girl. However, like so many movies, “La La Land” included a predictably sad ending. With this, ‘Laura’ began to sob aloud, and as much as her mother attempted to comfort her, she could not be dissuaded.

And I thought to myself, “Have we been watching the same movie?”

Danny Glover has a commercial on television these days in which he role models the symptoms of a particular medical syndrome. You’ve probably seen it. His facial and vocal expressions range between hilarity and abject dejection. (Rather like Bipolar Disorder on speed). Glover goes on to describe the symptoms of a disorder referred to as Pseudobulbar Affect (or Emotional Incontinence).

The following characterization comes from an internet site.

This condition is characterized by involuntary crying or uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing, or other emotional displays. PBA occurs secondary to a neurologic disorder or brain injury. Patients may find themselves crying uncontrollably at something that is only moderately sad, being unable to stop themselves for several minutes. Episodes may also be mood-incongruent: a patient might laugh uncontrollably when angry or frustrated, for example. Sometimes, the episodes may switch between emotional states, resulting in the patient crying uncontrollably.

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 51. Copyright pending

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