Alexithymia

Today, I would like to introduce you to a new topic – Alexithymia. You must be wondering what is this term – Alexithymia. Alexithymia is the difficulty in experiencing, expressing and describing emotional responses. Eminent Psychiatrist Dr. Devendra Save explains more about the condition in this interview.

Alexithymia

Dr. Save says:

Researchers describe alexithymia as a construct relating to a difficulty experiencing, identifying and expressing emotions. It is not a clinical diagnosis, and mental health professionals do not consider it a disorder, although it may occur alongside some mental health conditions.

People with alexithymia have –

• Problems with introspection, or observing their own mental and emotional processes.
• Experience confusion around bodily sensations connected to emotions.
• Struggle to communicate their emotions to others.

Alexithymia also makes it difficult for people to identify and respond to emotions in others. These issues can lead to difficulties in social settings and interpersonal relationships. It can cause frustration for people who experience it, as well as for friends and loved ones. If you think you’re having trouble with recognizing or describing feelings, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can help guide you to the right therapy options to help improve these important life skills.