====== Alexithymia ======
{{tag>Undefined}}

//Alexithymia //is a personality trait characterized by the inability to identify and describe emotions experienced by one's self and others.

It was first described, and named, in 1970, but a precise definition of the trait is still lacking :

>There is ongoing uncertainty about the structure and definition of alexithymia. Conceptually, alexithymia has traditionally been defined as a multidimensional trait with four components: //difficulty identifying feelings//, //difficulty describing feelings//, //externally orientated thinking//, and //difficulty fantasizing//. However, some authors suggest that //difficulty fantasizing// might not be a component, and others suggest //low emotional reactivity// is a fifth component.
>\\ Source : [[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jopy.12563|Personality Journal,]] Volume 88, Issue 6

Some research groups estimate that it may affect as many as 10% of the population.

The causes of //Alexithymia //are unknown. There is speculation that it may arise due to a deficit in electro-chemical communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Further technical details : [[https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/511988#ref1|Psychother Psychosom 2021;90:145–155]] {{:oa_padlock_grn.png?16&nolink|Open Access}}