1. Emotional Disconnect
- Shallow Affect: People with ASPD often have a limited emotional range or may struggle to display genuine emotion. This can make their facial expressions appear flat or blank, especially in situations where others might expect emotional reactions.
- Manipulative Focus: They may use a steady, intense gaze as part of their manipulation tactics, studying someone carefully without showing their own emotions.
2. Dissociation or Disinterest
- In social situations, individuals with ASPD may appear detached or indifferent because they lack empathy or genuine interest in others’ feelings. This can create the impression of a “glazed” or disengaged look.
3. Substance Use
- Co-occurring issues, such as substance abuse (common among individuals with ASPD), can sometimes lead to physical signs like glazed eyes or a lack of focus.
4. Misinterpretation of Calm Demeanor
- Some individuals with ASPD may maintain an unnervingly calm or neutral expression, even in tense or emotional situations. This calmness, paired with a lack of visible emotional engagement, might be perceived as a “blank stare.”
5. Not a Diagnostic Feature
- While some people with ASPD might display these traits, it’s important to note that not everyone with ASPD has a “blank stare,” and not everyone who has a blank stare or flat affect has ASPD. Many other conditions (e.g., depression, trauma, autism, or dissociative disorders) can also lead to similar expressions.
