Overview

Flat affect is a condition that causes people to not express emotions in the same way other people might.

For example, when a person without flat affect is happy, they may smile brightly or in some other way show that they’re pleased. A person with flat affect shows no facial expressions. They may also have no verbal reaction.

平坦的影响是其他条件的症状。它本身不是疾病或混乱。

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:

  • 脸上没有情绪低落
  • no or low emotional reaction in both verbal and nonverbal ways
  • appearance of apathy
  • a monotone speaking voice
  • avoidance of eye contact with others
  • little to no change in facial expressions

Most of the conditions that cause flat affect are related to the brain. These conditions include:

  • 精神分裂症:这种疾病会影响从一个人执行任务和行为的方式到他们的感觉和反应的一切。一些精神分裂症的人报告说，他们仍然经历了广泛的情绪，但他们可能不会以面部表情的形式表现出这些情绪。
  • Autism:Flat affect is common in people with an autism spectrum disorder. Some people with autism appear to have little emotional reaction to activities.
  • Depression:抑郁的化学失衡可能会干扰适当的大脑功能。这可能导致症状，包括平坦的影响。
  • 脑损伤：诸如脑外伤之类的伤害会导致多种症状。这些包括情绪低落，对通常产生愉悦感的事物失去兴趣和平坦的影响。
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder:这种疾病在经历过重大事件的个体中很常见，被认为是创伤性的。由此产生的疾病会导致多种症状，包括抑郁，焦虑，情绪退缩和平坦的影响。

平坦影响的另外两个常见原因不是大脑活动改变的结果。这些包括：

  • 药物的副作用s:Some medications like antidepressants and seizure drugs may impact affect.
  • 面部瘫痪或肌肉障碍：肌肉障碍或面部瘫痪可能会阻止某些人表现出自己的情绪。

Flat affect may be the result of unusual brain activity. Specifically, the area of the brain that’s responsible for arousal doesn’t appear as active as it does in people who don’t experience the lack of emotions.

表现出平坦影响的迹象并不意味着一个人不会经历情绪。有些有扁平影响的人报告说他们会感到情绪，但他们只是没有在脸上或行动中表现出来。这不是因为他们没有感受。他们的大脑和身体很难将情绪转化为身体反应。

平面影响的治疗分为两个主要类别。

The first treatment type aims to address the underlying cause of symptoms. For many of the most common causes of flat affect, medications, therapy, or some combination of the two may greatly reduce symptoms. Treating these primary causes may increase the display of emotions.

第二种治疗类型可以帮助患有平坦的人在不自然发生时学会产生情绪反应。心理学家，行为治疗师或职业治疗师可以帮助个人认识到他人的情绪并创造适当的反应。言语病理学家可以帮助个人训练自己的声音，以不同的语调表达更多的情感。这些反应可能包括面部反应和口头交流技术。学习回应他人可以帮助建立和支持社会关系。

平坦的影响是几种情况的症状。防止或治疗这些疾病会避免可能的副作用。

If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the conditions, work with a doctor, therapist, or neurology specialist to treat the underlying cause. Getting ahead of symptoms and treating them before they worsen can help prevent flat affect.

Flat affect is a symptom of several mental health conditions. These conditions can be treated. Treating the underlying cause can help prevent or improve symptoms like flat affect.

The good news for some people with flat affect is that treatment can help restore normal emotional display. For some people, however, the condition may be permanent.