We do most of the talking without saying a word– through our emotions and expressions. Several of us try to decipher emotions, express them and understand where they stem from. It is something we cannot imagine functioning without, however, about 10-13% people across the world experience emotional blindness or Alexithymia. Those exhibiting these traits find it difficult to identify, experience, understand and express emotions.
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What Is Alexithymia?
Often called "emotional blindness," alexithymia is the inability or difficulty to identify, experience, and express one's emotions. Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not classify alexithymia as a mental health problem, mental health practitioners frequently acknowledge it as a symptom.
It is connected to mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, traumatic childhood experiences, Parkinson's disease and serious brain traumas. This may be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, past experiences, and certain medical conditions. This characteristic, which affects 10–13 percent of the population, is more common in men than in women.
Symptoms Of Alexithymia
It might be difficult to identify the symptoms of alexithymia, a disorder marked by a lack of emotions. A person with this disease may seem disengaged or uncaring because it is associated with a problem expressing feelings. However, according to research, in social settings, an individual with alexithymia may experience a range of emotions, including:
- Frustration
- Confusion
- Difficulty "interpreting facial expressions"
- Discomfort and emptiness
- Elevated heart rate
- Lack of affection and anxiety
- A strict and analytical approach to thinking that overlooks emotional factors
- Ineffective strategies for managing stress
- Showing less selflessness compared to others
- Seeming aloof, inflexible, and lacking a sense of humor
- Low levels of satisfaction with life
Furthermore, this illness may also make it more difficult for a person to interpret physical changes as emotional responses.
Causes Of Alexithymia
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Genetics
There is a genetic component to alexithymia, according to research on twins. Those who have a close relative with alexithymia are more likely to have it themselves.
Environmental Elements
Additionally, the same twin study suggests that environmental variables contribute to alexithymia. A history of childhood trauma, the existence of a physical or mental health problem, or socioeconomic issues are a few examples of environmental influences.
Brain Damage
MRI scans indicate that elevated levels of alexithymia are experienced by those who have damage to the anterior insula, a region of the brain.
Comorbidity With Other Disorders
Some research indicates that the presence of alexithymia may be a contributing factor in the clinical features of depression. People who have both alexithymia and depressive disorders are more prone to have severe phobias, psychoses, and depression symptoms. Alexithymia is more common in those with PTSD, according to a small number of studies. 41% of the 22 veterans of combat with PTSD who participated in the study showed signs of alexithymia. Holocaust survivors with and without PTSD scored much higher on measures of alexithymia than those without the disorder, according to a 1997 study.
According to a 2017 analysis, people with a variety of eating disorders have trouble recognising or expressing their feelings. Further studies link higher levels of alexithymia to less successful eating disorder treatment outcomes.
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How Is Alexithymia Diagnosed?
Alexithymia is identified by a mental health expert. It is not formally acknowledged in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Instead, your mental health professional will probably utilize assessments such as the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Bermond–Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ) and make a diagnosis based on your responses. You might also be asked to fill out a self-assessment questionnaire. Another potential evaluation is an MRI conducted by a neurologist, which will capture images of the brain's insula.