Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  2002 Jun;9(1):18-23.

Alexithymia: Concept and Implications for Treatment

• Ham BJ
• Kim L

Abstract

Alexihymia represents deficits in the cognitive processing and regulation of emotions. I t is observed in many cases of psychosomatic disease, anorexia nervosa, panic disorder, depression etc. Many studies have shown that alexithymia is associated with maladaptive styles of emotion regulatoin, low emotional intelligence, intel\rhemispheric transfer deficit, and reduced rapid eye movement density. Psychotherapies that enhance emotional awareness may be effective in alleviating the difficulties of alexithymic individuals. Aexithymia is useful for constructing the role of personality and emotions in the pathogenesis of psychatric disorder It may serve as a bridge between neurobiology and psychology. We review recent alexithymia theory and research and their implications for treatment of psycosomatic disorders.

Keyword

Alexithymia; Concept; Treatment

MeSH Terms

Affective Symptoms*
Anorexia Nervosa
Depression
Emotional Intelligence
Neurobiology
Panic Disorder
Psychology
Psychotherapy
Sleep, REM