Situation · Family and friends
“My father is cold and never shows any emotion”
What could be going on
Emotional inhibition schema: Fits if he was raised to hide feelings and sees showing them as weak.
Dismissive-avoidant attachment: Could be self-reliance and distance as a strategy; check if closeness makes him retreat.
Flat affect: Check whether his face and voice stay flat even when things matter.
Alexithymia: Fits if he struggles to name feelings and talks about facts or the body instead.
Covert depression in men (Terry Real): Check for withdrawal, overwork or drinking; numbness can hide low mood in men.
Questions to carry
- In which rare moment have I seen feeling show on his face, and what was happening?
- Which of my own feelings did I learn to hide around him?
Also said as
- my dad is emotionally unavailable
- my father never hugs or says anything personal
- parent who seems made of stone
- why is my dad so distant and unfeeling
- emotionally distant father
- my dad never shows affection