[PrisonBound]

So, I'm a VA patient. I see a psychiatrist thru the VA and contrary to what a lot of people say, I must be lucky, because she's helped me tremendously. I really credit her with saving my life. She is the one who referred me to an outside therapist (the one who was tapping her foot that I asked about in another thread).

My question is this: As part of the VA, I am able to view all of my medical records online a week after my appointments which I like. Of course I googled what "constricted affect" meant, but being naturally curious, I'm wondering if there's more to it? Does it go along w certain meds? Certain conditions? Am I just weird?

I'd say ask your psychiatrist about it Constricted affect is a mild reduction in the physical display of feelings - as you know if you've googled for the term - so it sounds like it is not something that the psychiatrist saw as severe. Whether it comes with certain conditions or meds or diagnoses is something a professional would know better than a bunch of amateurs on the Internet, however compassionate (and this is a compassionate group of people!) I'd be curious, too, and ask my psychiatrist about it. Like you, I have an excellent psychiatrist, who is also my therapist. And he talks a lot about affects and has recommended that I read up on it, so it's something I have a little bit of knowledge about even though I'm a layman.

May I ask what VA means?

[PrisonBound]

Oh sure... VA means Veteran's Affairs

[WikidPissah]

Thanks for your service to our country.

I think asking the psychiatrist would be your best bet too. I had a blunted affect when I was on anti-psychotics.

[granite1]

i'm not sure what it is .i would talk to your doc

[boredporcupine]

To me, constricted affect means you're not expressing much emotion in general. It seems to me there could be a lot of causes for that...trauma, depression, culture (like if you grew up hearing that men shouldn't cry, blah blah), or just learning from your family not to feel or express emotions.

[granite1]

thank you .i think a lot of people who have a lot of trauma get like that. like when talking about it like you were reading a newspaper

[PrisonBound]

After talking to my therapist, apparently I think men shouldn't cry, etc so yeah, I'm guarded...My first T appt I was damn near in a fetal position in the chair