Affect Flashcards
What is a person’s affect?
A pattern of observable behavior that is an expression of a subjectively experienced feeling state (emotion).
Define Restricted affect:
Characterized by a reduction in the expressive range and intensity of affects. This is where there is a noticeable but not complete absence of emotional expression, it’s like the patient’s emotional range is ‘restricted’ or narrowed down.
Define Blunted Affect:
This affect is marked by a severe reduction in the intensity of affective expression. This is more intense than a restricted affect and its where the patient appears emotionally flattened showing little emotional responsiveness
Define Innapropriate affect:
An affect that is clearly differing with the content of the persons speech or ideation
Define Flat Affect:
This affect is where there is virtually no effective expression, and the patient is monotonous, and their face is immobile. This is a more extreme form of emotional absence in comparison to restricted and blunted, in a flat-affect there is a near-complete absence of emotional expression, and they will appear flat and void of emotional reactions.
Define Labile Affect:
This affect is characterised by repeated rapid and abrupt changes without apparent reason. (as labile means constantly going through change)
How would you describe this patients affect? Patient H is showing minimal facial expressions and limited emotional responsiveness even when discussing significant life events.
Restricted affect
How would you describe this patients affect? Patient P is displaying a lack of emotional response or reaction even in situations that typically evoke strong feelings in others.
Blunted affect
How would you describe this patients affect? Patient J laughs uncontrollably while recounting a recent traumatic experience, demonstrating an inappropriate affect given the seriousness of the situation.
Inappropriate affect
How would you describe this patients affect? Patient K is speaking in a monotone voice and displaying little to no facial expression even when discussing emotionally charged topics.
Flat affect
How would you describe this patients affect? Patient L alternates between periods of intense happiness and sudden bursts of tearfulness within a short span of time, seemingly without external triggers.
Labile affect
What is the difference between a restricted affect, a blunted affect, and a flat affect?
all three types of affect involve a reduction in emotional expression, they differ in the extent to which emotions are expressed. Restricted affect involves a limited range of emotions, blunted affect involves a significant reduction in emotional intensity, and flat affect involves virtually no emotional expression at all.
