Symptom 6. Masked Facies: A Loss of Facial Expression
The human face is a canvas of expressions. But imagine if this canvas becomes barren, the once vivid expressions reduced to a blank mask. In Parkinson’s disease, ‘masked facies’ refer to this very phenomenon – a significant reduction or absence of facial expressions.
At the onset of this symptom, also known as hypomimia, individuals might notice a slack facial appearance, with reduced blinking and lack of spontaneous smiles. Over time, this progresses to a nearly expressionless state. The muscles of the face, just like the limbs, become rigid and lose their fluidity.
Family and friends may notice the person appearing serious, sad, or indifferent due to the lack of expressions. However, this isn’t reflective of the person’s emotional state. It’s merely the muscles losing their ability to portray emotions effectively.
But the impact of masked facies isn’t just limited to expressions. It also impairs the motor skills of the facial muscles. This can lead to issues like drooling due to poor control over saliva, difficulty in opening and closing the eyes, and even swallowing problems.
It’s noteworthy that masked facies don’t equate to a lack of emotion. Individuals with Parkinson’s continue to feel emotions just as intensely; their facial muscles merely fail to express it. This underlines the importance of verbal communication and understanding in dealing with Parkinson’s disease. (6)
