The Challenge of Identifying and Expressing Emotions

by Angie Petrie

Alexithymia is a psychological term used to describe a person’s difficulty in identifying, understanding, and expressing their own emotions. The word comes from Greek roots: “a-” meaning “lack,” “lexis” meaning “word,” and “thymos” meaning “emotion”, together meaning “no words for emotions.” 

Key Features of Alexithymia

• Difficulties identifying feelings: People with alexithymia often struggle to recognise or distinguish between different emotions in themselves. They might confuse emotional sensations with bodily sensations, such as mistaking anxiety for hunger or fatigue.
• Trouble describing emotions: Even when they sense something is wrong or different, they may struggle to put those feelings into words or communicate them to others.
• Limited imagination: Alexithymia is often associated with a concrete, practical style of thinking, and people with this trait may have less rich inner fantasy lives.
• Difficulties recognising emotions in others: Sometimes, alexithymia also affects the ability to interpret emotional cues from others, which can impact social interactions.

Impact on Emotional Experience and Relationships

 Because alexithymia makes it challenging to process emotions, individuals may feel disconnected from their feelings or act out emotions physically rather than verbally.

 This can lead to misunderstandings in relationships, difficulty coping with stress, and a tendency to prioritise practical issues over emotional ones. 

This diminished emotional insight can subtly shape daily life, as individuals may rely on logic or tangible evidence rather than intuition when navigating social situations. 

Without clear access to their own emotions, they might appear detached or reserved, unintentionally creating distance in personal interactions. 

Nonetheless, recognising these patterns is the first step toward fostering empathy, for oneself and for others, paving the way toward new methods of emotional connection and self-understanding. 

Is Alexithymia a Disorder?

 Alexithymia is not considered a mental health disorder on its own but rather a personality trait or characteristic. However, it is commonly seen alongside other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. 

Support and Strategies

People with alexithymia can benefit from counselling or therapy that focuses on increasing emotional awareness. 

Creative approaches, such as using emotion stones or other tangible tools, can help bridge the gap between experience and expression, making it easier to navigate the world of feelings. 

In summary, alexithymia is an often overlooked barrier to emotional well-being. However, with support and practice, it is possible to better understand and express one’s emotions.