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What do people interpret your flat affect as?
Sadness or depression 21%  21%  [ 25 ]
Sadness or depression 21%  21%  [ 25 ]
Extreme boredom 8%  8%  [ 10 ]
Extreme boredom 8%  8%  [ 10 ]
Anger or frustration 16%  16%  [ 19 ]
Anger or frustration 16%  16%  [ 19 ]
Tenseness or nervousness 4%  4%  [ 5 ]
Tenseness or nervousness 4%  4%  [ 5 ]
Total votes : 118

NeantHumain
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14 Nov 2005, 3:02 pm

My facial expression and vocal inflection tend to be pretty flat. People read these in various ways. Often, I think they just read it as however they think I probably should be feeling in my current situation. I'm probably not extremely happy and excited if my facial expression is blank and my voice is monotone; but I might not be whatever they think, either.

When people have stated what they think my emotional state is (whether they are right or not), these are what they usually say when I have a flat affect:


  • Sad or depressed
  • Extremely bored
  • Angry
  • Tense or nervous



Nomaken
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14 Nov 2005, 3:06 pm

I use mannerisms which i pick up from characters i like in movies, so i am able to change up my behaviors and reflect the greater amount of expression i have inside, but my face never changes from a slightly pissed off looking scowl as my friends describe it.


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Prometheus
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14 Nov 2005, 3:09 pm

I don't have a clue how people read my (mostly) effect free voice. I have an accent as well, so that may mask the lack of effect. I certainly lack effect; I can't even get my dogs to come after me.


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TheOrangeMage
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14 Nov 2005, 3:28 pm

Everyone thinks I'm angry, or about to kill someone.

Sorry, the correct answer is: Depressed/Lonely! :D



theman
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14 Nov 2005, 3:51 pm

When I lived in the dorm many moons ago, I was voted most in need of enthusiasm.
I prefer the more reserved individuals, seeing as how they are usually more intelligent, tend to actually think, and like to expend their emotional energy for something other than trivial self gratifying means.



mikibacsi1124
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14 Nov 2005, 4:05 pm

Sadness/depression is probably the most common interpretation for me. I sometimes get the "extreme boredom" one as well, and ocasionally the tense/nervous interpretation (which is probably the most accurate one). The flatness is probably also part of the reason why people think I'm creepy sometimes.



en_una_isla
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14 Nov 2005, 4:59 pm

snobbery, less so, depressed


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Sarcastic_Name
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14 Nov 2005, 5:00 pm

I compensate by having a crazy perosnality. People used to think I did drugs, so I can't really vote any of those.


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Fogman
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14 Nov 2005, 5:33 pm

I don't know how it's read, but some people have criticised me for having a lack of enthusiasm, or wondered why I was so depressed. I suppose I also look perpetually angry or bored most of the time as well, even though I'm not.


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kevv729
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14 Nov 2005, 6:16 pm

I probably have bored, depressed, angry, look about Me. Many have said some times I look angry when I am not, even depressed looking when I am not, even too bored when that is not the case either. So I would not know how to really vote on poll.


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Yupa
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14 Nov 2005, 6:42 pm

My voice is usually very emotional, as opposed to flat.



Nomaken
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14 Nov 2005, 6:56 pm

The guy i got my drugs from said i really didnt need them.


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And as always, these are simply my worthless opinions.
My body is a channel that translates energy from the universe into happiness.
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Thagomizer
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14 Nov 2005, 8:13 pm

People tend to think that I'm either depressed, angry, or pensive. Of these three options, only the third is likely to be true.


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14 Nov 2005, 8:50 pm

My flat affect is less obvious when I am engaged in conversation, I think. But usually I suppose it is interpreted as "standoffishness" and an unwillingness to engage.

But this is just how my face is at rest. Or if I'm tired or overloaded. Many times I'll go too far in the opposite direction and get too excited as well. I have very little in between I think. But hard to tell. I don't often have conversations in front of a mirror.


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TheBladeRoden
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14 Nov 2005, 9:15 pm

I've never asked, but it can't be good.



Serissa
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14 Nov 2005, 10:17 pm

I voted nervousness, but it's usually some combination of my looking depressed or my looking shy. Some days I even get people asking me if I'm OK- I'm really pale, so I guess I can actually look physically sick even on a good day if my face is out of sync with the rest of me. I can be mistaken for being pissed when I'm not, but I actually AM pissed most of the time when people ask me if I am so that's not too common.