Alexithymia

A person with alexithymia experiences the physiological response to a situation but is not able to recognise the emotion that triggers this. Common signs and symptoms of alexithymia are as follows:

• Appearing distant and rigid
• Coping poorly with stress
• Anger (read more: How to control anger)
• Limited ability to communicate
• Panic (read more: Panic attacks: symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment)
• Confusion and discomfort
• Inability to regulate the tone of voice and facial expressions

The condition isn’t well understood and experts haven’t been able to pinpoint a specific cause for alexithymia. However, some studies have pointed toward the following being possible causes for it:

• Genetics
• It could be an inherited condition
• Traumatic brain injury
• Depression 
• Childhood neglect and trauma

Research shows that alexithymia may also be detected in individuals who have been diagnosed with neurological conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.

As is the case with some neurological diseases and mental disorders, there is no specific test for alexithymia. This complicates the process of getting an accurate diagnosis. Since the condition is not officially recognized under the fifth the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a mental health provider can help reach an accurate diagnosis through the following tools:

• Self-reported questionnaire 
• MRI test 

To effectively treat alexithymia, each individual's treatment plan is based on their personal health needs—depending on their pre-existing conditions like depression or anxiety. Some therapies that may prove to be beneficial for this condition are:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Group therapy 
• Psychotherapy or talk therapy 
• Journaling to document physical responses and emotional patterns 
• Learning to identify positive and negative emotions 

Though not a common condition, alexithymia has been studied extensively for more than four decades. These studies have highlighted how alexithymia is often diagnosed in individuals who struggle to express their emotions and it is not unusual for them to have other underlying neurological conditions.

Alexithymia affects interpersonal skills and relationships. This can be treated with therapy that involves working on emotional wellbeing.