I think I have flat effect. I am wondering if anyone knows a comprehensive description of this. Basically I would like hep figuring out if this is something I have.
The flat affect is basically "no emotional expression". Someone with diminished face expression and monotone voice. It is also known as the blunt affect and apathic affect.
The feeling is called "lack of emotion". It basically feels like you're not sad nor happy; you're just..."there".
SGH
Last edited by SuchGreatHeight; 05-28-2006 at 09:24 PM.
I feel emotions, it's just that they seem dulled. I emotional. I get sad, and happy. I guess it's more to do with people. I feel nothing about people. I just don't feel like I care for them at all. For instance I have no feelings towards my parents. I don't feel like I love them at all. I also get anxiety and am a little shy and tend to control my behavior too much, like I can't just let go and live openly. I think I constantly hold back. For instance I was involved with a girl, and the relationship just didn't develop, as if for some reason I did not want to let it develop. I don't know.
I tried several SSRI's with the same effect. I was so discouraged. The depression would lift but I was left feeling lifeless... I was so discouraged.
After another bout of deep depression....I saw a new pdoc who said I had medical resistant depression. He put me on Effexor, Lamictal and Provigil. The lamictal is typically for bipolar, which I have no signs of. But it is a mood stablizer. The provigil is for energy because the Effexor makes me soooo tired.
It works. After a month...I finally feel alive, happy, no extreme lows. I cry, laugh, make new friends, get angry and every other range of emotion. I am thrilled beyond words and so is my husband and kids.
Linear Mode
