[Lillybird90]

I've been told by soooo many people (that I am getting sick of it)
That I seem emotionally flat that I don't express much emotion I feel it
But my face wont match how I feel inside I laugh at times when I should cry
and I don't react well to stressful situations..When someone gives me a gift I really love it I really do but I can't express how it makes me feel and they get mad at me and think I don't like it but that's not true I just can't express myself emotionally like I need too...
And it hurts because I don't know what to do about it.

[MotherMarcus]

Originally Posted by Lillybird90

I've been told by soooo many people (that I am getting sick of it)
That I seem emotionally flat that I don't express much emotion I feel it
But my face wont match how I feel inside I laugh at times when I should cry
and I don't react well to stressful situations..When someone gives me a gift I really love it I really do but I can't express how it makes me feel and they get mad at me and think I don't like it but that's not true I just can't express myself emotionally like I need too...
And it hurts because I don't know what to do about it.

I'm there with you. I'm never certain if feeling "flat" is better than feeling sad or angry.

[Thunder Bow]

Have comfort that you are feeling. How others are seeing you, has much to do with them, not you.

[ShaggyChic_1201]

Hi! If you're seeing a therapist, this is a great thing to work on with him/her. Emotional flatness can be a symptom of something else (depression, for one) or can be the result of medication. It can also be a learned response.

For example, a parent says something sarcastic but the child doesn't realize it's sarcastic. The child laughs. The parent rages at the kid - how can you be so stupid?! Don't you ever laugh at me like that again. So what does the kid do next time? Nothing. The kid equates laughter with being yelled at, belittled or worse.

The (only) good thing about learned behavior is that they can be unlearned. It does take a great deal of work though. You need to be willing to have someone (usually a T, but could be a good friend) call you on your emotional reponse (either it's missing or not matched up with your words). You can then try a different response. It will feel forced and silly and uncomfortable. But all learning is this way.

Of course, if it's a result of untreated or badly-treated depression, talking to a psychiatrist is always a good option.

Best of luck to you.

[Lillybird90]

My mother and several other family members think I might have schizophrenia but I don't know I did score 100% for it on the sanity score and 90% on the actual screening test I had a family member work with me over it. My mother is getting me an appointment with a professional (psychiatrist) So I GUESS I will be able to find out what's wrong with me pretty soon I hope. thanks for the advice.