Table of contents:

Alexithymia - how does it manifest itself?
How does alexithymia affect relationships with other people?
How does alexithymia affect mental health?
Alexithymia and autism - what are the differences?
Alexithymia and autism - what do they have in common?
Alexithymia - how to deal with it?

Unlike autism, alexithymia is a widely unknown concept. However, it is of considerable importance for mental health. The term was introduced to the world of psychology in the 1970s. The word itself comes from the Greek and literally means a lack of words for emotions. It is estimated that up to 10% of the general population may suffer from alexithymia. What are its symptoms?

Alexithymia - how does it manifest itself?

People suffering from alexithymia are unable to name their emotions or express them. However, these are not the only difficulties they face. In addition to problems identifying their feelings, people with alexithymia tend to:

suppressing negative emotions,
little experience of positive feelings,
not distinguishing between emotions and bodily sensations,
not recognising other people's emotions,
hypersensitivity to sounds, smells,
difficulty in understanding the other person's perspective.

Alexithymia: what it is, photo: panthermedia

These symptoms have a real impact, primarily on social functioning and negatively affect mental health. Why is this?

How does alexithymia affect relationships with other people?

Joy, anger or sadness are emotions that we need in order to establish and maintain healthy relationships with other people. They inform us about where our boundaries lie and what our needs are. The satisfaction felt after talking to another person and enjoying spending time together informs us that perhaps this is a relationship worth investing in. Conversely, frequently feeling depressed in a relationship can mean that something is happening that is not necessarily good for us.

Being able to recognise your emotions protects you from entering into harmful relationships. On the other hand, showing your feelings to another person lets them know that they are important to us. Emotions also allow us to react in situations that are threatening. People affected by alexithymia do not know what emotions they feel, or if they feel them at all, and it is difficult for them to tell what emotions others have. This makes it very difficult to build a relationship with another person.

People with alexithymia may be stuck in harmful relationships because they do not know that what they are feeling with the other person is sadness indicative of hurt.

Alexithymia versus autism: differences, photo by pantermedia

How does alexithymia affect mental health?

Having healthy relationships is an important part of mental health. Close people provide a sense of security and increase self-esteem. Relationship problems caused by alexithymia can lead to loneliness, which negatively affects mental health.

In addition, a characteristic symptom of alexithymia is the suppression of both negative and positive emotions. The suppression of emotions leads to chronic emotional tension, which can cause depression or anxiety disorders. Additionally, as a result of alexithymia, sleep problems and gastrointestinal psychosomatic illnesses may occur. The symptoms accompanying alexithymia are also characteristic of people with autism spectrum disorders. So what distinguishes alexithymia from autism?

Alexithymia and autism - what are the differences?

Alexithymia, unlike autism, is not a disorder. Alexithymia is considered to be a part of the personality that makes daily functioning difficult. It is currently unknown whether alexithymia occurs as a result of an autism spectrum disorder or independently of the disorder. However, it is known that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from the atypical structure of particular brain structures.

Alexithymia and autism: similarities, photo by panthermedia

In the case of alexithymia, at the moment, there is not enough research to conclude that a person is born with alexithymia as with an autism spectrum disorder. However, there are many studies that show that specific brain structures are built differently in people with alexithymia.

Alexithymia and autism - what do they have in common?

As in the autism spectrum, alexithymia has problems in establishing and maintaining social relationships. In addition, people with alexithymia, like those with autism spectrum disorders, have difficulties understanding irony, metaphors and intricate social norms. In both cases, there are problems with showing and recognising emotions. Both alexithymia and autism spectrum disorders can be treated with therapy to improve daily functioning and mental health.

Alexithymia - how to deal with it?

According to research, the most effective treatment for alexithymia today is cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a therapy that is based on the analysis of thoughts, emotions and behaviour. This therapy is equally effective in autism spectrum disorders. In addition, patients affected by alexithymia are advised to release emotional tension by listening to music, creating art or doing their favourite physical activity. This is a safe and non-invasive way to deal with repressed emotions.

Alexithymia: how to deal with it, photo: panthermedia

Although alexithymia is not currently a popular phenomenon, it is estimated that it can occur in up to 60% of adults on the autism spectrum. It is worth familiarising yourself with the phenomenon, learning about appropriate forms of therapy and knowing how alexithymia can affect interpersonal relationships.

way4cure.com

No words for emotions - or alexithymia on the autism spectrum

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