Question:

Ever since my diagnosis of  Limbic Encephalitis, I find I cry easily and often. Why is that? 

Answer:

The Limbic System is a structure responsible for emotions and the formation of memories. When the antibodies misfire and attack the limbic system, our emotional control can become affected.

Pathologic tearfulness was reported by 50% of the patients, while no patient-reported pathologic laughing.

Pathologic tearfulness is common following Limbic Encephalitis (LE) and, is not a manifestation of other neuropsychiatric features, and reflects abnormalities in networks of emotion regulation beyond the acute hippocampal focus. The condition, which may also be present in other neurologic disorders, provides novel insights into the neural basis of affective control and its dysfunction in disease.

People with Limbic Encephalitis (LE) may cry their eyes out over the simplest things. Dr. Irani’s Oxford group said, “We coined the term ‘Disney syndrome’ when we saw the first few patients as they were tearful while watching kiddie movies with their children.”

References: Pathologic tearfulness after limbic encephalitis