Flat affect
Flat affect is a term used in psychiatry to describe a lack of emotional reactivity (emotional expressiveness) in an individual. It is a characteristic feature of schizophrenia, but can also be associated with other psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Flat affect is defined as a lack of emotional reactivity on the part of an individual. It is characterized by a lack of change in facial expression, tone of voice, and nonverbal communication, regardless of the emotional content of what is being discussed or the emotional context of the situation.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Flat affect can be caused by various psychiatric and neurological disorders, including:
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The main symptom of flat affect is a lack of emotional expressiveness. This can manifest as:
- Lack of change in facial expression
- Monotonous or lack of inflection in voice
- Lack of nonverbal communication, such as gestures and body language
- Lack of response to emotionally charged situations
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of flat affect is typically made through clinical observation by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. The professional will observe the individual's facial expressions, tone of voice, and nonverbal communication during conversation and in response to emotionally charged situations.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for flat affect typically involves treating the underlying disorder that is causing the symptom. This may involve medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Dr.T