Trouble identifying and expressing feelings?
Approximately 1 in 10 people endorse a trait-like characteristic called alexithymia.
The term literally means a lack of words (lexi) for emotions (thymia).
It is characterized by five core features: difficulty identifying one's emotions, difficulty labeling feelings, an inability to experience emotions, an externally orientated cognitive style, and a limited imagination.
Features of alexithymia
Trouble labeling feelings
Not aware of what causes feelings
Difficulty expressing feelings
Inability to interpret facial cues in others
Limited or rigid imagination
Constricted style of thinking
Focus on physical sensations
Unexplained physical ailments
Detached connection to others
How is alexithymia relevant to mental health?
Alexithymia is not a mental disorder. But it may play an important role in mental health.
Alexithymia is associated with affect dysregulation and autism spectrum disorders.
With respect to depression, it’s not clear which comes first.
Most researchers believe that alexithymia as a trait predisposes individuals to depression.
Alexithymia is also believed to play a role in relationship difficulties, resulting in a greater probability of divorce. For a person with a poor understanding of his or her own emotions, it is challenging to relate to the feelings of another person.
What can you do if you have alexithymia?
Finding ways to identify your emotions. This is an important first step in understanding your emotions. Label your emotions in different situations and interactions. Keep a journal.
Express your emotions. This is important for regulating your own emotions and relating to other people. Communication requires an exchange of information. Emotional reactions are a key part of that communication.
Make an effort. If you have a narrower range of emotional expression, you may have to work harder to attend to emotional cues. This means doing your part in communicating. In close relationships, your job is to let others know how you are feeling and to respond appropriately to their feelings.
Practice reading body language and interpreting facial expressions. These are skills that can be improved with practice.
Verbally express what you are unable to show. In alexithymia, you may give the appearance of having no emotional reaction, regardless of the situation. It may be helpful to others if you verbally express your feelings. Start with a limited range of emotion words: happy, sad, angry.
Talk with your partner about the challenges of alexithymia. Research indicates that the partners of individuals with alexithymia tend to feel lonely and experience a lack of intimacy. This puts a strain on the relationship and can lead to poor marital quality.
(Note of caution: This does not mean that you should cater to one another’s emotions, or that others should cater to yours. For instance, if a person is easily angered, others should not have to modify their behavior to avoid the various triggers. The onus falls to the angry individual because he or she is unable to self-regulate.)
How do I know if I have alexithymia?
For an online test, visit here.
After completing the 20 item measure, you will obtain a score indicating the degree to which your responses are characteristic of alexithymia.
Although there is no formal treatment for alexithymia (recall that is not a mental disorder), a counselor can help you to develop the skills for labeling and expressing emotions, communicating effectively, and lowering your risk for depression. If you would like more information for how cognitive-behavioral therapy could be helpful, contact Dr. Combs-Lane for more information.
* The information and resources contained on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. The use of this website does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. Furthermore, the information obtained from this site should not be considered a substitute for a thorough medical and/or mental health evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional. *
