Flat Affect, what is it:

Flat Affect, what is it:

Flat affect is a term used in psychology and psychiatry to describe a significant reduction or absence of emotional expression. People with flat affect may appear emotionally unresponsive or “blank,” regardless of the situation. 

This can be observed in:

• Facial expressions (little or no change)
• Voice tone (monotone, no inflection)
• Gestures (minimal or absent)
• Emotional reactivity (lack of appropriate emotional response)

Common Causes of Flat Affect:

Flat affect is not a disorder itself, but a symptom seen in several mental health and neurological conditions, including:

• Schizophrenia (especially in negative symptoms)
• Depression (particularly severe or psychotic depression)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some cases

Example:

If someone with flat affect hears news of a tragedy or a joyful event, they might not show any outward sign of emotion — no smile, no frown, no change in voice.

Important Distinctions:

• Flat affect ≠ lack of emotion: The person may still feel emotions internally but cannot express them.
• Not to be confused with blunted affect: Blunted affect is reduced emotional expression, but not as extreme as flat affect.

Shervan K Shahhian