GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Body language expert Blanca Cobb spoke about the subtle signs in our body language that can reveal deeper emotional states, particularly when it comes to mental health.
Here’s more of what she shared during a segment on our Good Morning Show:
Talk to us about facial expressions and how they relate to mental health.
“Some people who are struggling with their emotional health might try to hide their true emotions. But, their emotions could be leaked in microexpressions, which are brief, involuntary facial expressions. They last for only a fraction of a second, but they can reveal underlying emotional states that a person might not want to—or be able to—express verbally. When it comes to mental health, these fleeting expressions can give us clues about how someone is truly feeling, which can be especially important for people struggling with conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma.”
What types of emotions can microexpressions reveal, and how can they help you understand what someone is going through?
“Microexpressions can reveal the entire spectrum of basic emotions—happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, surprise, and contempt. For instance, someone dealing with depression might show brief flashes of sadness, even when they are trying to appear neutral or upbeat. Or a person experiencing anxiety might have fleeting expressions of fear or worry, even if they seem calm on the surface. By identifying these subtle cues, you can gain a deeper understanding of what someone is experiencing, even when they aren't telling you how they're feeling.”
Can you give us some examples of microexpressions that could signal deeper emotional distress in someone with a mental health condition?
“Take anxiety, for example. A person might be describing a situation where they feel in control, but their face might briefly show a widening around the eyes, or their eyebrows arch up—a microexpression of fear. For someone with depression, even when they smile, you might see a flicker of sadness around the eyes or mouth, which suggests they are masking their true feelings. These moments are often subconscious, and the person may not even realize they're showing these emotions.”
You can continue the conversation with Blanca on her Facebook page: Blanca Cobb – Body Language Expert.
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