Alexithymia is a term that describes problems with emotions. It is the inability to describe and recognize emotions. It is not a well-known condition, but it is estimated that 1 in 10 people could suffer from it. It is often seen as a secondary diagnosis in other pre-existing mental health conditions and disabilities, such as depression and autism.
However, this does not mean that all people with autism or depression have these problems to express and identify emotions. In fact, there are studies that show that it affects only a small percentage of them.
What is alexithymia?
People who have alexithymia can be described as having difficulties expressing emotions that are considered socially appropriate, such as happiness in a jubilant situation. Other people with this condition may also have trouble identifying their own emotions. These people do not necessarily have apathy. Nevertheless, they may not feel as strong emotions as their peers and they may have difficulty feeling empathy.
Causes of alexithymia
This condition is not well known, nor is it well understood, so it is possible that its cause is genetic. Alexithymia can also be the result of brain damage to the insula. This part of the brain is known for its role in social skills, empathy and the emotions. Some studies link insula injuries with apathy and anxiety.
For this reason, we are going to see alexithymia in relation to other pathologies:
- Autism. The symptoms of the autism spectrum are very varied, but there are still some stereotypes associated with this condition. A major stereotype is a lack of empathy, something that has been largely debunked. At the same time, some research indicates that up to half of people with autism also experience alexitima. What is the same, it is the alexithymia that causes the lack of empathy, not the autism itself.
- Depression. It is possible to experience this condition with depression. It has been observed in postpartum and major depressive disorders, as well as in schizophrenia. Nearly half of people with depressive disorders also have alexithymia.
- Trauma. People who have suffered some type of trauma, especially during early childhood, can develop this condition. Trauma and neglect at this stage can cause changes in the brain that can make it difficult to feel and identify emotions as adults.
- Other associated conditions. Research also indicates that this condition may be present in certain neurological diseases and injuries, such as those listed below:
- Alzheimer disease
- Dysphonia
- Epilepsy
- Huntington's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
Symptoms of alexithymia
As a condition marked by a lack of feelings, it can be difficult to recognize the symptoms of alexithymia. Since this condition is associated with the inability to express feelings, an affected person may appear listless. However, a person with this condition might personally experience the following in social contexts:
- Anger
- Confusion
- Difficulty recognizing facial expressions
- Discomfort
- Vacuum sensation
- Increased heart rate
- lack of affection
- Panic
This condition can also make it difficult for a person to interpret bodily changes as emotional responses. For example, a person may have trouble linking a racing heart to an emotion, but may recognize that he is experiencing a physiological response at the time.
Treatment of alexithymia
Today there is no single individual treatment for this condition. The treatment approach depends on the general health needs of the patient. For example, if you have depression or anxiety, taking certain medications may also help with mental health symptoms like alexithymia.
Therapies can also be helpful for this condition. The most effective for this problem are the following:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- group therapy
- Psychotherapy or talk therapy
The first important step toward emotional recognition is to begin to be aware of your own physiological responses. For example, recognizing changes in heart rate in certain situations. This could help the affected person distinguish between different emotions. It is also important to note that negative emotions are just as important as positive ones. Learning to identify these emotions and work with them can help a person lead a more fulfilling life.