I am not deformed or anything and I don't have terrible acne. I can't control my facial expressions. I see other people walking around and when their not engaged in conversation they seem to be able to maintain a somewhat neutral facial expression that doesn't look peculiar. They seem relaxed and content. But when I see myself in pictures, my expression is always different than I think it should be. I'll be feeling fine and not upset, but then sometimes I'll see a picture of myself and I have this serious, almost angry exprssion on my face, even though I'm not angry. Sometimes I think I'm smiling in a picture and it turns out that I have a blank expression or flat affect. I notice when I'm talking to people, say for example, a cashier, they give me weird looks and by the end of our transaction they just avoid eye contact with me. But then their friendly with other people. It's like my facial expressions are inadvertantly turning people off. I can't make make the right expressions.
2006-09-20 11:10:58 · 10 answers · asked by conundrum 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
What can I do to solve this? I can't seem to find a happy medium. I either look like a dead drone or I look angry or if I smile, I have a stupid look on my face. How can I just get my face to make pleasant or at least not threatening or weird expression? Is there some kind of thought that you can think to youself that makes your face look neutral? This is really ruining a lot of relationships and curtailing new relationships from starting. I'll just be walking down the street or the hall and I try to make eye contact with someone as they go by and say hello and they always end up looking at me strangely or disgustedly or like their afraid. Then I see that that same person interacts in a friendly way with other people who greet them in the same way, so it must be me. What the hell is wrong with me?
2006-09-20 11:17:25 · update #1
This may not be the best answer for what seems to be a serious serious problem.
First thing, go to a doctor. There may be an underlying medical condition that you are not aware of. You may not think this is medically related but it is obviously effecting you.
Second thing, have you ever stood in front of a mirror and practiced making an angry face, or a neutral face, or a "pleasant" face. This may seem ridiculous, but try it out. Get a mental picture of what your face "feels" like and what it appears like.
Third thing, try it out with someone else, perhaps what you think is one type of facial expression is another facial expression to another person. If 50 people think that what you consider your "stupid" face is a "disgusted at your existence" face, you might be suffering from a neurological condition.
Good luck.
2006-09-20 11:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by kolomai 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't know if this helps, but I know of this disorder where a person cannot read other people's facial expressions. Maybe you should spend some time in front of the mirror and practice making faces. Sometimes this can just be a weird tick, or some sort of brain communication problem. Have you ever had a head injury?
2006-09-20 18:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know for sure what it is, I'd ask a doctor. But both my sons have similar issues with expressions, and both of them are on the autistic spectrum. They seem fairly "normal" except that they have great difficulty with facial expressions, and social interaction.
My older one fixed it himself by practicing smiling, and relaxed happy expressions, in the mirror. It took a while for his muscles to "learn" how be relaxed and happy-looking, but they did. Kind of like it takes time for the muscles to learn how to move, to play a sport, an instrument... it's more than just knowing in your head what movements to make. You have to also practice them so your muscles and nerves learn how to do it.
2006-09-20 18:29:15 · answer #3 · answered by Gen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you thought about asking a doctor about this? It's possible that you have a genuine neurological problem that involves your facial muscles. It's also possible that you have "body dysmorphic disorder," which means that you are only imagining that there is something horrid going on with your face. But it's best to get a professional opinion on this, so that you know what you're dealing with for certain.
2006-09-20 18:21:04 · answer #4 · answered by Cyn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford to, take private acting lessons. Basically, you have to learn as an adult something most learn as infants. How to express yourself is a problem most people have in one way or another. Practicing in front of a mirror is another way, as long as you don't get discouraged. It will take some hard work but will be worth it.
Good luck!!!!
2006-09-20 19:07:16 · answer #5 · answered by beast 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you thinking happy loving thoughts? believe it or not that can "show up" on your face and in photos.... are you thinking too much? do you like your life? do you focus on your problems? are you too serious? why not think of funny cute stuff e.g. your little neice, the dogs at the dogrun, the shows on comedy central ... just examples
2006-09-20 18:15:51 · answer #6 · answered by Allergic To Eggs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem... no control
everyone always knows what i am thinking before i can say a word... sometimes it sucks
i think you are worrying too much about it
2006-09-20 18:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by carrie p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be facial muscles.
2006-09-20 18:24:33 · answer #8 · answered by Sugar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of us are just ugly, quit picking at us and leave us alone!
2006-09-21 01:26:24 · answer #9 · answered by sparky15728 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean! Please email or IM me...I think it has a lot to do with life experiences. We should talk!
2006-09-20 18:23:14 · answer #10 · answered by Evil Wordmonger, LTD LOL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋