Question 1

my boyfriend says he has a flat affect. i don't notice. so should this be cause for worry?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: If your boyfriend thinks it is a problem, it may well be. Or it may just be normal for him. It would be good to have him evaluated for depression or other mood disorders by his primary care provider. A good preventive resource that outlines general screening tests, including a screen for depression, is an iphone app called my health checklist 2012.

Question 2

any meds for flat affect?

Accepted Answer

yes: Flat affect as a symptom of (whatever type of) psychosis, can be treated with antipsychotics effectively. Now, other types of problems can be confused with the flat affect of psychosis, such as parkinsonian lack of facial expression, etc. Psychiatrists and neurologists usually differentiate those easily. Consult your dr.

Question 3

what does it mean to have flat affect?

Accepted Answer

Flat affect: A flat affect is often used to describe the lack of emotion in a situation that would be expected to elicit emotion. Often, this term is used to describe the emotional state of a person with depression or other mental health issues.

Question 4

how are shallow affect and flat affect different?

Accepted Answer

Degree of expression: My understanding: blunted or "shallow affect" describes paucity of emotional expression in response to stimuli that normally provoke typical facial expressions, though still some expression. "flat affect" suggests no facial expression. Causes of these affects include depression, schizophrenia, brain injury, ptsd, sociopathy, and certain medicines. Get help. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/blunted_.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: flat affect?

Accepted Answer

Flat Affect: Flat Affect is a term used for the absence or apparent absence of emotional response to any situation or event.

Question 6

what is the difference between shallow and flat affect?

Accepted Answer

Quality and degree: Shallow affect refers to people who do not show much range in emotion; they rarely if ever feel intense moods, either highs or lows.  Flat affect refers to a near-complete absense of affect:  the person simply does not show an emotional response even under pretty extreme conditions such as the loss of a loved one.

Question 7

how do a flat affect and the thousand yard stare differ?

Accepted Answer

Flat less exhausted : My understanding is that &quot;flat affect&quot; is a description used for people who are very depressed or who have medication-induced lack of facial expression, while &quot;1000 yard stare&quot; has been used to describe a battle-weary soldier or perhaps someone with posttraumatic stress who is in a state of dissociation. Both require immediate professional evaluation.

Question 8

what does "slow to respond to questions, flat affect" mean?

Accepted Answer

Flat affect: At your age I would say this is normal esp if you have your cell phone on when talking to the Dr. Slow to respond means you do not answer questions quickly.  Flat affect means you don't seem to care what is going on during the interview. Best to ask your Dr what it means in medical speak for you.

Question 9

can you have flat affect without schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A "flat affect" simply refers to someone not being very emotionally responsive to others or to situations.  Some people just naturally are less emotionally responsive to others.  People who are abused or depressed may also show this symptom.  With schizophrenia, it is one of the so-called "negative symptoms, " meaning it's something missing rather than a symptom like hallucinations or delusions.

Question 10

does anhedonia and flat affect improve with ect?

Accepted Answer

They can: Anhedonia and flat affect can be part of depression.  ECT can help treatment-resistant depression -- meaning people who have not been helped with standard antidepressants, and for whom depression is debilitating.  If your doctor has recommended this treatment, I'm guessing you have very serious symptoms despite many trials of medications and psychotherapy.

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A member asked:

My boyfriend says he has a flat affect. i don't notice. so should this be cause for worry?

A member asked:

Any meds for flat affect?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have flat affect?

A member asked:

How are shallow affect and flat affect different?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: flat affect?

A member asked:

What is the difference between shallow and flat affect?

A member asked:

How do a flat affect and the thousand yard stare differ?

A member asked:

What does "slow to respond to questions, flat affect" mean?

A member asked:

Can you have flat affect without schizophrenia?

A member asked:

Does anhedonia and flat affect improve with ect?

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