Tuesday, November 13, 2007

flat facial expression with Parkinson's

I notice when I look in the mirror that the muscles of my face don’t move as much as they used to, and my face is not as expressive as it used to be. Could this be a result of my Parkinson’s disease?
A
Yes it can. It is very common for individuals with Parkinson’s disease to have what is called a “flat facial expression”. Individuals who have a flat facial expression may look disinterested or unhappy, even though this is not truly how they feel. Just as the Parkinson’s disease may make it more difficult for you to move the muscles of your body, it can also make it more difficult for you to move the muscles of your face, or express emotion on your face. Other people that you communicate with may not be aware of how Parkinson’s disease can affect your facial expression. Thus, it is important to educate those around you and let them know that even though you may look disinterested or upset, you really are not. It is important for others to know that this is a result of the Parkinson’s disease, and is not an indication of how you actually feel.

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