Understanding Alexithymia: A Deep Dive Into the Emotional Blind Spot

Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Alexithymia may not be a household term, but it describes an emotional struggle that touches many lives.

Characterized by difficulty identifying, distinguishing, and expressing emotions, alexithymia can influence every facet of life, from relationships and work to self-awareness and decision-making.

Let’s explore what alexithymia is, who it affects, and how folks can work toward emotional awareness.

What Is Alexithymia?

The term alexithymia has Greek roots: “a” (not), “lexis” (words), and “thymia” (soul or emotions). Essentially, it translates to “no words for emotions.”

Coined in the 1970s, alexithymia isn’t a clinical diagnosis but rather a psychological phenomenon that impacts approximately 10% of the general population (Sifneos, 1973).

At its core, alexithymia reflects a disconnect between emotional experiences and the ability to label or express those emotions. It’s closely tied to interoception—our ability to sense and interpret internal bodily states like hunger, thirst, or pain.

Reduced interoception, also referred to as “alexisomia,” often accompanies alexithymia, making even physical sensations difficult to identify.

Who Does Alexithymia Affect?

Alexithymia isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition; it manifests differently across individuals. Certain populations experience it at higher rates:

• Autistic Folks: Research suggests that 33% to 66% of autistic people experience alexithymia (Kinnaird et al., 2019). This can compound challenges in interpreting social cues, leading to misunderstandings or sensory overwhelm.

• Those with Mental Health Conditions: Alexithymia is more common in folks with conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

• Trauma Survivors: Some people develop alexithymia as a response to traumatic experiences, while others may have always had it.

How Does Alexithymia Show Up in Daily Life?

The impact of alexithymia is both subtle and profound. Here are some of the ways it shapes emotional and social interactions:

Externally Oriented Thinking

People with alexithymia often focus more on external events than their internal emotional processes. For example, instead of recognizing they feel stressed, they might focus on fixing a task that seems overwhelming.

Difficulty With Emotional Context

Alexithymia can make it hard to interpret shared emotional events, such as grieving a celebrity’s death or celebrating a personal milestone. Reactions may seem “off” to others, causing frustration or misunderstandings.

Challenges in Social Interaction

For autistic folks especially, alexithymia can hinder the interpretation of facial expressions, tone, or social nuances. This sensory and emotional overload can lead to meltdowns or withdrawal.

Emotional Awareness as a Skill

The good news is that emotional awareness isn’t static. Even for those with alexithymia, emotional intelligence can be nurtured and developed with effort and the right strategies.

Naming Emotions

One foundational practice involves learning to label emotions. Start by keeping a journal to identify emotions and their triggers. Apps like MoodMeter or Daylio can also help track and name feelings.

Body Mapping

Since alexithymia often involves reduced interoception, exercises like body scans or mindfulness meditation can help identify where emotions manifest physically. For instance, stress might show up as tight shoulders, while sadness might bring a heavy chest sensation.

Therapeutic Support

Working with a therapist trained in emotional regulation techniques, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or somatic experiencing, can be transformative. These approaches help bridge the gap between emotions and self-awareness.

Alexithymia and Relationships

One of the most significant challenges for those with alexithymia is navigating relationships. Partners, friends, or family members may feel unheard or disconnected due to a perceived emotional distance. However, with mutual understanding and patience, strong relationships can still thrive.

• Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue about emotions, even if it feels awkward at first.

• Contextual Processing: Help the person reflect on past events to identify their emotions.

• Model Emotional Expression: Share your own feelings and reactions as examples to normalize emotional conversations.

The Road to Emotional Awareness

While alexithymia may present unique challenges, it’s not a life sentence of emotional disconnection.

Through intentional practices and support, these folks can cultivate a deeper understanding of their emotions and enhance their relationships with themselves and others.

Understanding alexithymia is not just about recognizing the limitations it brings—it’s about celebrating the progress and growth possible for those willing to engage with their emotions, one step at a time.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Kinnaird, E., Stewart, C., & Tchanturia, K. (2019). Investigating alexithymia in autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Psychiatry, 55, 80-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.09.004

Sifneos, P. E. (1973). The prevalence of alexithymic characteristics in psychosomatic patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 22(2-6), 255-262.