Positive Emotions from Brain Injury: The Emergence of Mirth and Happiness
Joint Authors
Source
Issue
Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-6, 6 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2020-01-29
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Brain injury can result in an increase in positive emotions.
We describe a 63-year-old man who presented with a prominent personality change after a gunshot wound to the head.
He became “content,” light-hearted, and prone to joking and punning.
Prior to his brain injury, he suffered from frequent depression and suicidal ideation, which subsequently resolved.
Examination showed a large right calvarial defect and right facial weakness, along with memory impairment and variable executive functions.
Further testing was notable for excellent performance on joke comprehension, good facial emotional recognition, adequate Theory of Mind, and elevated happiness.
Neuroimaging revealed loss of much of the right frontal and right anterior lobes and left orbitofrontal injury.
This patient, and the literature, suggests that frontal predominant injury can facilitate the emergence of mirth along with a sense of increased happiness possibly from disinhibited activation of the subcortical reward/pleasure centers of the ventral striatal limbic area.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Mendez, Mario F.& Parand, Leila. 2020. Positive Emotions from Brain Injury: The Emergence of Mirth and Happiness. Case Reports in Psychiatry،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1150904
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Mendez, Mario F.& Parand, Leila. Positive Emotions from Brain Injury: The Emergence of Mirth and Happiness. Case Reports in Psychiatry No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1150904
American Medical Association (AMA)
Mendez, Mario F.& Parand, Leila. Positive Emotions from Brain Injury: The Emergence of Mirth and Happiness. Case Reports in Psychiatry. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1150904
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1150904