Alexithymia (pronounced /əˌlɛksəˈθaɪmiə/) from the Ancient Greek words λέξις and θύμος modified by an alpha-privative—literally “without words for emotions“—is a term coined by psychotherapist Peter Sifneos in 1973[1][2] to describe a state of deficiency in understanding, processing, or describing emotions.

In medical and psychiatric illness

Alexithymia frequently co-occurs with other disorders, with a representative prevalence of 85% in autism spectrum disorders,[28] 40% in posttraumatic stress disorder,[29] 63% in anorexia nervosa, 56% in bulimia,[30] 45% in major depressive disorder,[12] 34% in panic disorder,[31] and 50% in substance abusers.[32]

Research indicates that alexithymia overlaps with Asperger syndrome. In a 2004 study, Uta Frith reported an overlap and that at least half of the Asperger syndrome group obtained scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) that would classify them as severely impaired.[33] Fitzgerald & Bellgrove pointed out that, “Like Alexithymia, Asperger’s syndrome is also characterised by core disturbances in speech and language and social relationships”.[34] Hill & Berthoz agreed with Fitzgerald & Bellgrove #2006# and in response stated that “there is some form of overlap between alexithymia and ASDs”. They also pointed to studies that revealed impaired Theory of Mind skill in alexithymia, neuroanatomical evidence pointing to a shared aetiology and similar social skills deficits.[35] The exact nature of the overlap is uncertain. Alexithymic traits in AS may be linked to depression or anxiety;[33] the mediating factors are unknown and it is possible that alexithymia predisposes to anxiety.[36]

Description

Typical deficiencies may include problems identifying, describing, and working with one’s own feelings, often marked by a lack of understanding of the feelings of others; difficulty distinguishing between feelings and the bodily sensations of emotional arousal;^[1] confusion of physical sensations often associated with emotions; few dreams or fantasies due to restricted imagination; and concrete, realistic, logical thinking, often to the exclusion of emotional responses to problems. Those who have alexithymia also report very logical and realistic dreams, such as going to the store or eating a meal.^[13] Clinical experience suggests it is the structural features of dreams more than the ability to recall them that best characterizes alexithymia.^[1]

Some alexithymic individuals may appear to contradict the above mentioned characteristics because they can experience chronic dysphoria or manifest outbursts of crying or rage.^[14][15][16] However, questioning usually reveals that they are quite incapable of describing their feelings or appear confused by questions inquiring about specifics of feelings.^[5]

According to Henry Krystal, individuals suffering from alexithymia think in an operative way and may appear to be superadjusted to reality. In psychotherapy, however, a cognitive disturbance becomes apparent as the patients tends to recount trivial, chronologically ordered actions, reactions, and events of daily life with monotonous detail.^[17][18] In general, these individuals lack imagination, intuition, empathy, and drive-fulfillment fantasy, especially in relation to objects. Instead, they seem oriented toward things and even treat themselves as robots. These problems seriously limit their responsiveness to psychoanalytic psychotherapy; psychosomatic illness or substance abuse is frequently exacerbated should these individuals enter psychotherapy.^[5]

A common misconception about alexithymia is that affected individuals are totally unable to express emotions verbally and that they may even fail to acknowledge that they experience emotions. Even before coining the term, Sifneos (1967) noted patients often mentioned things like anxiety or depression. The distinguishing factor was their inability to elaborate beyond a few limited adjectives such as “happy” or “unhappy” when describing these feelings.^[19] The core issue is that alexithymics have poorly differentiated emotions limiting their ability to distinguish and describe them to others.^[1] This contributes to the sense of emotional detachment from themselves and difficulty connecting with others, making alexithymia negatively associated with life satisfaction even when depression and other confounding factors are controlled for.^[20]

via Alexithymia – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Asperger syndrome

People with Asperger’s often display intense interests, such as this boy’s fascination with molecular structure.

is an autism spectrum disorder, and people with it therefore show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with stereotypies and other restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.[1][2]

Asperger syndrome is also called Asperger’s syndrome,[1] Asperger (or Asperger’s) disorder,[3][4] or just Asperger’s.[5] It is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy.[6] There is lingering doubt about whether it is distinct from high-functioning autism (HFA);[8] partly because of this, its prevalence is not firmly established. The exact cause is unknown, although research supports the likelihood of a genetic basis; brain imaging techniques have not identified a clear common pathology.^[1]

There is no single treatment, and the effectiveness of particular interventions is supported by only limited data.^[1] Intervention is aimed at improving symptoms and function. The mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, focusing on specific deficits to address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness.^[9] Most individuals improve over time, but difficulties with communication, social adjustment and independent living continue into adulthood.^[7] Some researchers and people with Asperger’s have advocated a shift in attitudes toward the view that it is a difference, rather than a disability that must be treated or cured.^[10]

>via Asperger syndrome – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
 

Donations are very welcome!

50% of donationa go to NAMI ( The National Alliance on Mental Illness). 50% of donations go toward my Brain Transplant…It shouldn’t be too hard to find one; there are a lot of people running around who obviously are not using theirs…thank you!