INA–Follow up
A recent scientific report has highlighted a condition known as alexithymia, which is characterized by difficulty identifying, describing, and expressing emotions, even though those affected experience feelings and sensations normally.
The report explained that alexithymia is not a separate mental illness or a clinical diagnosis in itself but rather a condition that affects an individual’s ability to understand their internal emotions. It noted that approximately 10 percent of the world’s population experiences it to varying degrees.
The report indicated that affected individuals have difficulty distinguishing between different emotions and may experience physical tension or discomfort without being able to determine whether it stems from anxiety, sadness, or anger. They also tend to focus more on external facts and events than on their emotional state.
The report pointed to a close link between this condition and what is known as interoception, the ability to perceive and understand internal bodily signals such as hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and emotions. Impairment in this ability leads to greater difficulty in interpreting emotions.
It further noted that alexithymia is more common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is also associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may be present from childhood or develop as a result of severe trauma and psychological stress.
The researchers emphasized that emotional awareness is a skill that can be developed by training individuals to regularly identify and name their feelings and bodily sensations, as well as observe the effects of different emotions on their bodies. This contributes to enhancing their understanding of their psychological state and improving their quality of life.