What does emotional lability refer to?

Emotional lability refers to rapid shifts in emotion, which can be characterized by quick and often exaggerated changes in mood. Individuals who experience emotional lability may alternate between feeling very happy and then suddenly feeling very sad or frustrated, sometimes without a clear reason. This condition can be associated with various psychological or neurological disorders, such as bipolar disorder or after a brain injury.

Stable emotional responses, a calm demeanor, and consistent mood describe emotional states that are predictable and steady, which contrasts sharply with the nature of emotional lability. In fact, emotional lability undermines these other concepts, as it embodies unpredictability and volatility in emotional reactions. Understanding that emotional lability involves these rapid and extreme emotional transitions can be essential for providing appropriate care and support in a clinical or caregiving context.