The flat affect refers specifically to the severely reduced or no signs of emotional reactivity in an individual, and usually manifests when one would usually show emotion. This ‘flat affect’ is common in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, PTSD, depression, depersonalization disorder and brain damage. Some of the major symptoms of SPD include: showing neither desire nor joy for close relationships, high preference for solitary activities, lacking close friends or confidants, indifference to the praise or criticism of others, and emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affectivity. This behavior does not come from a contempt or anxiety from being around other people rather, people with SPD are more or less indifferent to social experiences. They usually prefer to spend time with themselves rather than socialize or be in a group of people.

People with schizoid personality disorder are often detached from social relationships, and experience difficulty in expressing emotions, or do so in a restricted range and intensity.įor people with SPD, they often appear to lack a desire for intimacy, and will avoid close relationships with others. Schizoid personality disorder (SPD) is characterized by a long-standing pattern of detachment from social relationships.

What is a flat affect