flat affect

flat affect,

the absence or near absence of emotional response to a situation that normally elicits emotion. It is observed in schizophrenia and some depressive disorders. Also called flattened affect.

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affect [af´ekt]

the external expression of emotion attached to ideas or mental representations of objects. see also mood.

blunted affect severe reduction in the intensity of affect; a common symptom of schizophrenic disorders.

constricted affect restricted affect.

flat affect lack of emotional expression.

inappropriate affect affect that is incongruent with the situation or with the content of a patient's ideas or speech.

labile affect that characterized by rapid changes in emotion unrelated to external events or stimuli.

restricted affect reduction in the intensity of affect, to a somewhat lesser degree than is characteristic of blunted affect.

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flat affect

Psychiatry A marked attenuation of emotional range, a sign often associated with major depression. See Major depression, Schizophrenia.

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Patient discussion about flat affect.

Q. what does the term flat affect means?

A. "Flat affect: A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. People with depression and schizophrenia often show flat affect. A person with schizophrenia may not show the signs of normal emotion, perhaps may speak in a monotonous voice, have diminished facial expressions, and appear extremely apathetic. Also known as blunted affect."

www.medterms.com :)
couldn't said it better myself...:)