Flattening Of Emotions May 2026

, clinically referred to as affective flattening or flat affect , is a disorder characterized by a gross lack of emotional response to a given situation. It is primarily recognized as a reduction in the outward expression of emotion, regardless of whether the internal experience of the emotion is diminished. This condition is most commonly associated with schizophrenia , where it is classified as a "negative symptom," but it also appears in depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and certain neurological conditions. Definition and Clinical Presentation

Poor or nonexistent eye engagement with others. Flattening of Emotions

Affective flattening is identified through subtle behavioral cues observed by clinicians, including: , clinically referred to as affective flattening or

A "blank" or expressionless face that does not change with the topic of conversation. Definition and Clinical Presentation Poor or nonexistent eye

Speech that is monotone or lacks normal inflection (prosody).

Flattening of Emotions: A Clinical and Neuropsychological Overview

A marked reduction in body language and expressive hand movements.