Alexithymia
Alexithymia
Alexithymia is a trait characterized by difficulty identifying and describing one's own emotions, not an absence of feelings but an inability to recognize or articulate them.
Details
Alexithymia
From the Greek meaning "no words for emotion," alexithymia was first named by psychiatrist Peter Sifneos in 1973. It affects an estimated 8–10% of the general population.
Alexithymia is not the absence of emotion — it's difficulty in recognizing, differentiating, and describing feelings. People with alexithymia may experience emotions primarily as physical sensations (headaches, stomach aches) without being able to label them.
Core Features
Living With It
Alexithymia is a trait, not a disorder to be "fixed." Body-based therapies, journaling, and patient self-exploration can help build an emotional vocabulary over time.
Mindy is here, patiently and warmly, to explore this with you at your own pace.
💡 Real-Life Example
After a significant loss, feeling no obvious sadness but developing severe unexplained headaches and stomach pain.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.