weak side of face

[hboulter]

Hi! I’ve just found this page and i’m very happy that I did because everyone on here seems so lovely! A couple of weeks ago I realised that the right side of my face felt a lot weaker than the left, I asked my brother if he could tell and he said one side of my face is lower than the other. I’ve done some research and it is still functioning properly so it can’t be bell’s palsy or any sort of nerve problem. It’s really taken a toll on my confidence and am finding it hard looking people in the eyes or even meeting with certain people. My right side of my chin is noticeably bigger and lower and also my lip is much bigger on the right side and my eye is lower. Any idea what this could be as it’s not bell’s palsy or plagiocephaly. The only thing I could think of would be my left eye does all the work so my right would be a lot weaker, I don’t see how that could affect my chin and lip area though

[Vinnieplagio]

The only way to rule out plagiocephaly is by checking ear asymmetry. Im not sure but bony eye asymmetry is normally always a cranial malformation. I also thought at first it wasnt plagio untill i got a ct scan. Kind regards

[younique]

Welcome hboulter! So glad you're here. I see that you haven't gotten many replies to your post yet. Sorry about that. I don't know what condition you may have, did you talk to a specialist about it. I think it's hard for us to know what feedback to give when we don't medically know what caused other member's conditions. A lot of us already know the cause of our conditions or have a diagnosis. Are you feeling lonely? Depressed? Do you simply want answers? Your situation sounds unique, perhaps a medical diagnosis is necessary to understand the underlying cause? I hope you are feeling ok and have been able to find support in the community.

[hboulter in reply to younique]

Hi younique ! thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I haven’t talked to a specialist as my local doctors won’t see anyone unless it’s a medical emergency due to the pandemic. I’m quite young and don’t have the resources to find mental support. It has been 4 months since I started feeling this way and have become very depressed and may have some form of body dysmorphia due to the asymmetries. I’m feeling quite lonely and like no one understands, when I ask people they say it’s noticeable and then just shrug it off. I’m finding it quite hard. i’ve done some more research and everything is pointing towards jaw misalignment, i’m just not quite sure how it has impacted my whole face. it’s like i have two different faces and they’ve been stuck together x

[younique in reply to hboulter]

I completely understand. My condition really hit me hard when I was my first year of college. High school wasn't amazing but I had developed friends over the years that never seemed to care about, or notice, my difference. Once I began attending college I was alone and the odd person out. I always felt people staring, some guys even sent me rude messages while in the middle of lecture. I couldn't stay focused. Eventually my grades suffered and I dropped out. I attempted vocational school, art classes, thinking people would be more accepting. And nope. Everyone has comments or are rude with me, they stare, laugh, act surprised, take pictures, or don't look at me or acknowledge me at all. I can't just live my life, be myself, without worrying about who is going to mistreat or turn on me. Even friends I have trusted turned out to be awful.

So, I get how hard it is. I'm sorry you are going through this. I truly wish this weren't something we have to experience, that our conditions didn't complicate our lives.

I found my therapists on the psychology today website. Just input what you're looking for and you'll get some suggestions of different counselors. I stopped seeing mine right around the time that covid hit, but she offers telemedicine if I decide to go back.

Just keep looking. There are a ton of resources offered by Changing Faces so if you need more info let me know.