Table of Contents
What does flat affect mean in medical terms?
Flat affect (diminished emotional expression) is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia, although it may also affect those with other conditions. It is a lack of showing emotion characterized by an apathetic and unchanging facial expression and little or no change in the strength, tone, or pitch of the voice.
Is having a flat affect bad?
A flat affect is actually a symptom of psychiatric illnesses, and it can be devastating. Kaille Kirkham, 30, who says she experiences flat affect together with depression.
What is a flat mood?
A flat affect is the loss or lack of emotional responses to a situation or event that would typically elicit emotion. People with flat affect may appear to be completely unemotional or apathetic. Other associated symptoms include speaking in a monotone voice and a reduction in facial expressions.
How do you describe a person’s affect?
Affect is the visible reaction a person displays toward events. Affect is described by such terms as constricted, normal range, appropriate to context, flat, and shallow. Mood refers to the feeling tone and is described by such terms as anxious, depressed, dysphoric, euphoric, angry, and irritable.
How do you treat flat affect?
Options may include:
- Medications. If a medication is causing your flat affect, your doctor may change the type of medication you’re taking or the dosage.
- Psychotherapy.
- Social skills training.
- Speech therapy.
- Couples counseling or family therapy.
What causes a person to feel flat?
Those who suffer a traumatic brain injury caused by a blunt trauma, fall, blast injury or other violent situation may experience post-trauma flat affect. In addition to blunt trauma, brain injuries caused by strokes, especially right hemisphere strokes, can cause a person to experience flat affect.
What is affect in medical terms?
Affect: The emotional tone a person expresses. A person’s affect may be appropriate or inappropriate to the situation. One type of inappropriate affect is a flat affect or blunted affect, a common feature of schizophrenia.
What are words to describe affect?
affect
- impact,
- impress,
- influence,
- move,
- reach,
- strike,
- sway,
- tell (on),
What is affect blunting?
Blunted affect, also referred to as emotional blunting, is a prominent symptom of schizophrenia. Patients with blunted affect have difficulty in expressing their emotions [1], characterized by diminished facial expression, expressive gestures and vocal expressions in reaction to emotion provoking stimuli [1–3].
What does flat affect mean in psychology?
A.”Flat affect: A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. People with depression and schizophrenia often show flat affect. A person with schizophrenia may not show the signs of normal emotion, perhaps may speak in a monotonous voice, have diminished facial expressions, and appear extremely apathetic.
What kind of doctor should I See for flat affect?
People who show symptoms of flat affect should be examined by a psychologist or psychiatrist. These doctors diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Many of the underlying causes for flat affect are the result of a mental health disorder or disease. People who experience flat affect show symptoms including:
What is the flat affect in schizophrenia?
Patient discussion about flat affect. A. “Flat affect: A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. People with depression and schizophrenia often show flat affect. A person with schizophrenia may not show the signs of normal emotion, perhaps may speak in a monotonous voice, have diminished facial expressions, and appear extremely apathetic.
What are the different types of flat affect disorders?
These conditions include: Schizophrenia: This disorder affects everything from how a person performs tasks and behaves, to how they feel and react. Autism: Flat affect is common in people with an autism spectrum disorder. Depression: The chemical imbalances of depression may interfere with proper brain function.