From not being able to read facial expressions, to being too good at it

[Suzanne]

It is highly frustrating, because I detect even the smallest eye shift, when talking to someone, which immediately makes me think: ah, they are bored with me.

But, as the title says. I never used to be able to do this and was mocked for it as well.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Yes, I would agree with that assessment. I am now thinking that I can pick up on at least some details like this, if and only if, I am concentrating on looking at another's face. I do have the ability pick up on subtle details and micro expressions. The issue is, I may look at faces for fleeting moments then look at something else whilst conversing. I am thinking this is why I am missing a lot of the communication and just picking up on some of it. For me, it's not that I am unable to do it, it's more the fact that I am most often not looking at the other person, but something else while conversing.

 

[Rodafina]

i’m going through sort of the opposite of this as I get older. When I am looking at a face, I am highly focused on the small details of it because I find them fascinating and confusing. For most of my life, I thought I was very good at reading what people were thinking and showing on their face, but as I’ve gotten older, I realize I am usually wrong.

My interpretations of peoples facial expressions were always skewed very heavily against me… They are angry with me, they are bored by me, and other negative interpretations of their behavior. It is only recently that I am learning many of the facial expressions I notice are neutral, positive, or distracted, and not necessarily indicative of something that I have done wrong.

I’m getting more comfortable with simply asking what things mean instead of interpreting them erroneously.

 

[Iberata]

Yes. Although facial expressions don't make any sense to me, like, it's an unkwown
world, I have been studying human faces forever, in order to decode their "secrets", lol.
I think some of us have tried so hard to compensate that perhaps they got good at it,
maybe this is what you meant?

 

[LadyS]

I think I've always been able to read expressions but my problem is reacting to their reactions.. it's like a mental/physical block that prevents me from that.. so it appears that I'm actually dumb when I'm not. I think I'm just too meek and don't want to cause conflict.

But it could also just be some paranoia mixed in after so many failed social interactions.

 

[Kavigant]

As a result of childhood abuse, I became extremely observant of people's facial expressions, postures, etc in order to try to keep myself safe. This led me to believe that I was really, really good at reading people's emotions.

But I am slowly realizing that, while I'm good at noticing people's mood changes, I'm not as good at understanding people's mood changes.

Learning about autism has given me permission to start asking family members whether or not I'm interpreting their expressions correctly. Surprise - I'm often not.

 

[Judge]

In hindsight with adults I suspect my ability to read facial expressions and body language was at best a "hit or miss proposition". Sometimes I'd get it right, sometimes not so much....lol.

Oddly enough though I learned to read my once girlfriend's daughter's body language pretty well. But then I often took care of her (ages 4 to 7) like a parent, and I had the impression that kids in general are pretty transparent about what they are thinking or feeling. But adults? Not so much depending on the circumstances.

 

[Kavigant]

i’m going through sort of the opposite of this as I get older. When I am looking at a face, I am highly focused on the small details of it because I find them fascinating and confusing. For most of my life, I thought I was very good at reading what people were thinking and showing on their face, but as I’ve gotten older, I realize I am usually wrong.

My interpretations of peoples facial expressions were always skewed very heavily against me… They are angry with me, they are bored by me, and other negative interpretations of their behavior. It is only recently that I am learning many of the facial expressions I notice are neutral, positive, or distracted, and not necessarily indicative of something that I have done wrong.

I’m getting more comfortable with simply asking what things mean instead of interpreting them erroneously.

I think that I said almost this exact same thing to my wife the other day. I continue to be shocked by encountering people who get what I've been going through for my whole life. Thank you for posting this.