Wellness
Alexithymia: When You Can't Name Your Feelings
Learn about alexithymia, a trait where people struggle to identify and describe their emotions, and how it impacts relationships and mental well-being.
What is it?
Alexithymia, often called emotional blindness, is a personality trait characterized by a significant difficulty in identifying, describing, and processing one's own emotions. The term originates from Greek roots meaning "no words for emotion." It is not a clinical diagnosis or mental disorder but exists on a spectrum and affects about 10% of the population. People with alexithymia may confuse emotional arousal with physical sensations, like a racing heart, without connecting it to a specific feeling like fear or excitement. They often have a logical and externally-focused thinking style, with a limited imagination or inner fantasy life.
Why is it trending?
Awareness of alexithymia is growing alongside broader conversations about mental health, emotional intelligence, and neurodiversity. Research has highlighted its strong connection with other conditions, notably that about half of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have alexithymia. It is also commonly linked with PTSD, depression, and eating disorders. This increased understanding helps reframe some social and emotional difficulties, suggesting they may stem from co-occurring alexithymia rather than being a core feature of the primary condition itself.
How does it affect people?
Alexithymia significantly impacts interpersonal relationships. The difficulty in recognizing and expressing feelings can make a person appear distant, apathetic, or lacking in empathy, even if that's not the case. This can create barriers to emotional intimacy and cause misunderstandings with partners, friends, and family who may feel emotionally disconnected. Internally, this struggle can lead to poor stress management and a lower overall sense of life satisfaction, contributing to challenges in both social and professional settings.