The Eyes Have It

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I've noticed with pictures of my family members I can tell by the look in their eyes regardless of their facial expression which pictures were taken before they had Bipolar Disorder and after because there's just this look there of... I don't know I guess deadening sorrow.  I was wondering if anyone else noticed this with people they were around who have an inner conflict going on such as that and/or also thought that a person's eyes give away stuff like that or not.

[zzzmykids]

yes, bulldozer.  But my father is a journalist and a photographer and historian, oh you know the deal...anyway....lol, lose my soul was from the people indigenous to  small places like the indians of north america, jungles, hawaiins, etc.  Dad was just looking for what I think was on purpose a more interesting picture and...if the eyes are the windows to the soul, then he is still protecting my sister.
zzzmykids

[ILADVOCATE]

Well avoiding eye contact is common when a person is experiencing schizophrenia. That has been known for a long time. I know because for myself and other people eye contact improved after medication did (and that was standard medications such as atypical antipsychotics). Psychiatrists always monitor eye contact. I couldn't find any information on bipolar and eye appearence online but the topic interests me so I'll ask my provider. As for the appearence of eyes in artwork I've had that in my collages but most probably it is because the Clonidine I take dilates my pupils so what I create reflects subconsciously what is going on. If you look at Magritte he always used the appearence of eyes in his artwork. Interviews probably explain why.
  Its easy for a person to put on a fake smile but its harder for them to change the way their eye appearence looks. Certainly simple things such as blinking can easily determine nervousness. That much is known as well outside of people who have any psychiatric disability. If you look at a political debate the person blinking the most is the most nervous despite any other outwards appearence and often the one who loses. Interesting topic.

[bernie40]

Wasn't there some kind of myth that if you stared straight at a camera it would steal your soul??  Just something floating about in my grey matter, lol.

I'm not so sure that eyes truly depict your inner feelings, I think the eyes are just as capable of lying as the face.  The only time you can catch the truth is when the photo is taken and the person is unaware and lost in thought at the time.

I've also heard people say that you can tell someone with a severe mental disability by their eyes but this is due to the medication they are on having a sedating effect.  We've all heard of the prozac smile - perhaps there is an "anti-psychotics look".

I have an obsession with eyes, I draw them, paint them, photograph them.  I think eyes are beautiful and yes, if caught unawares they tell a life story.

[ILADVOCATE]

Actually I've noticed in general with people when they are manic their pupils widen. I don't know if there has been a study in that and why. Before recovery when I was psychotic, I avoided eye contact but those are the standard negative symptoms of schizoaffective. As to why people who are experiencing mania appear to have a difference in eye appearence if anyone finds a study I'd interested. When a person is depressed that's easier to tell as they look downwards and appear disconnected from life but in a way that is not psychotic. I would think mania would be the opposite. I know that when a person is manic they are physically speeded up as well. People lose weight and the like. That much is known.
  "Sociopath" is a complex term. That is not really much used in psychiatry. In general terms it means a person is destructive to society. That can come from a variety of reasons. It sounds more like you are afraid of your own lose of judgment when manic and I and many people experience that as well. I know in the past before recovery though when I was psychotic I was afraid to look at myself in the mirror and did not want them in my house. Now I have no problem with that. There are physical ways to track mania as well as mental, including generally feeling speeded up, an abnormal increase in appetite and libido. I don't know if eye appearence has ever been understood in this light but I'll try and find out if there are clinical studies on the topic. It is of interest...

[zzzmykids]

Until seven years ago, I always looked away, to the left and up when having my picture taken solo or in groups.  Seven years ago, I did that and my daughter and her new husband commented on the fact I had my head in the clouds in all the pictures, ruining their album! From then on I look at the camera.  But my Dad had taught us as kids never to look directly in the camera.
After all that has gone on, I believe he must of thought this and it would especially hide my sisters eyes.  I have bp2 but my sister is just crazy or mad because of brilliance.
Good comment and observation, thank you...will keep my eyes open in the hundreds of family pictures I have of ancestors before my Dad's pictures.
Sincerely, zzzmykids

[Bluetwo]

I took a trip to Nevada to be with Nature.
My husband took pictures of me up in the mountains.
I had mixed episode at that time.
Even looking at the photos I knew there was something wrong.

Eyes are the window to the soul.