Challenges for People with Masked Faces
Parkinson’s disease does not only affect muscle movements in the face, but also in other parts of the body. As a result, people with this condition may find it much harder to communicate effectively with other people. Expressing the true emotions can be difficult. Therefore, there will be a disconnect between what they are really thinking or saying with what they are expressing on their face. Studies have shown that, facial masking may lead to dehumanization and stigma as others would not pick up on nonverbal or emotional cues. Over time, it may have a negative effect on the overall quality of life and cause people with Parkinson’s disease to withdraw from social activities. [6]
