Restricted Affect

Restricted affect is a term used to describe a mild constriction in a client's physical affect: range and/or intensity of emotion or display of feelings. This is less severe manifestation than what would be described as blunted affect. In the case of depression this restricted affect can be a constant state until the depressive symptoms are alleviated. In some ways it can be likened to a physical and emotional numbing which restricts a person's ability to react normally to life events.