Do you suffer from alexithymia without knowing it? Here are the signs to look out for

Alexithymia is an emotional regulation disorder characterized by difficulty identifying and expressing emotions. If you suspect that you may be affected by this disorder, here are three signs that may alert you.

What is alexithymia?

Alexithymia is an emotional regulation disorder that manifests itself as an inability to identify, differentiate and express one’s own emotions. People affected by this disorder have difficulty recognizing what they are feeling and putting their emotions into words, which can make them emotionally “numbed.” This lack of connection with their feelings affects not only their own well-being, but also their social relationships, because they struggle to understand and react to the emotions of others. This disorder can have neurobiological, psychological origins or result from past trauma. Because of this “emotional deafness,” alexithymics tend to excessively rationalize their experiences and avoid emotionally complex situations.

3 signs that suggest alexithymia

If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, it may be useful to consult a professional for a precise diagnosis and consider appropriate therapy:

Difficulty identifying emotions

People with alexithymia often have difficulty recognizing their own emotions. They may feel “empty” or confused about their feelings, without being able to put them into words. This lack of connection with their emotions can make it difficult to understand their own reactions in certain situations, leaving them in a sort of emotional fog.

A tendency towards excessive rationalization

Individuals suffering from alexithymia tend to take a very rational approach to events in their lives. They favor logical and objective analysis, often to the detriment of intuition or emotion. This defense mechanism allows them to maintain some control, but prevents them from fully accessing their feelings, and it can make them detached or distant in relationships​

A weak capacity for introspection and imagination

The inability to analyze one’s own emotions leads to difficulty in self-reflection. Alexithymics have difficulty introspecting or understanding their deepest desires. This emotional disconnection also limits their imagination and creativity, often perceived as limited or rigid.

Other signs may indicate that you suffer from this disorder: a lack of empathy, poor physical and verbal expressions, a tendency to cry or laugh mechanically (without affect), an absence of remorse, an ease in manipulating emotions. others, an absence/lack of humor (especially the second degree), social isolation, an attraction to strong sensations and addictions.

3 tips to better manage your emotions

Here are some tips that can help people with alexithymia:

1. Become aware of bodily sensations : Learning to listen to your body is a key step to better identifying your emotions. Alexithymics may start by noting physical reactions, such as heartbeat or muscle tension, which are often indicators of unrecognized emotions;
2. Practice emotional verbalization : Putting words to what we feel is essential. Although it is difficult to express emotions, trying to describe them even in an approximate way (e.g.: “I feel agitated” or “I am tense”) can allow you to begin a process of reconnecting with your feelings. ;
3. Use psychotherapy : Therapeutic monitoring, particularly through approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help develop tools to better understand and manage your emotions. The objective is to gradually emerge from this “emotional deafness” by associating physical sensations with emotions.

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