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Social Cognitive and Affective... Oct 2022Alexithymia is characterized by impairments in emotion processing, frequently linked to facial expressions of emotion. The eye-region conveys information necessary for...
Alexithymia is characterized by impairments in emotion processing, frequently linked to facial expressions of emotion. The eye-region conveys information necessary for emotion processing. It has been demonstrated that alexithymia is associated with reduced attention to the eyes, but little is known regarding the cognitive and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying emotive eye-region processing in alexithymia. Here, we recorded behavioral and electrophysiological responses of individuals with alexithymia (ALEX; n = 25) and individuals without alexithymia (NonALEX; n = 23) while they viewed intact and eyeless faces with angry and sad expressions during a dual-target rapid serial visual presentation task. Results showed different eye-region focuses and differentiating N1 responses between intact and eyeless faces to anger and sadness in NonALEX, but not in ALEX, suggesting deficient perceptual processing of the eye-region in alexithymia. Reduced eye-region focus and smaller differences in frontal alpha asymmetry in response to sadness between intact and eyeless faces were observed in ALEX than NonALEX, indicative of impaired affective processing of the eye-region in alexithymia. These findings highlight perceptual and affective abnormalities of emotive eye-region processing in alexithymia. Our results contribute to understanding the neuropsychopathology of alexithymia and alexithymia-related disorders.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Anger; Emotions; Eye; Facial Expression; Humans
PubMed: 35277722
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsac013 -
Clinical Psychology Review Aug 2014Many individuals with schizophrenia are reported to have maladaptive expression and processing of emotion. This may take the form of conscious and implicit processes.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIMS
Many individuals with schizophrenia are reported to have maladaptive expression and processing of emotion. This may take the form of conscious and implicit processes. Potential regulatory processes underlying schizophrenia are reviewed. We aimed to estimate effect sizes, potential heterogeneity and publication bias across three areas of measurement: a range of cognitive emotion regulation strategies(1) (CERS), alexithymia and dissociation.
METHOD
Data were pooled from 47 case-control studies involving measures of experiential avoidance, attentional deployment, cognitive reappraisal, emotion management, dissociation and alexithymia. All studies were rated for quality, risk of bias and publication bias.
RESULTS
The following effect sizes (g) were observed: emotion management: 0.96 [0.77, 1.14] and cognitive reappraisal: 0.49 [0.32, 0.66] were negatively associated with schizophrenia. Experiential avoidance: -0.44 [-0.59, -0.29], attentional deployment -0.96 [-1.18, -0.75], dissociation: -0.86 [-1.13, -0.60] and alexithymia: -1.05 [-1.45, -0.65] were positively associated with schizophrenia. Subgroups of dissociation and attentional deployment were also analysed. Meta-analyses revealed potential publication bias and heterogeneity in the study of CERS in schizophrenia.
CONCLUSIONS
A marked difference in the implementation of CERS is associated with schizophrenia compared to controls. Dissociation variables and alexithymia are also indicated and may be implicated in adaptive cognitive emotional regulation. Theoretical and research implications are discussed.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Dissociative Disorders; Humans; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 25105273
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.07.002 -
Fortschritte Der Neurologie-Psychiatrie Oct 2023Alexithymia is a multidimensional construct of personality implicating difficulties in identifying and describing another's feelings, and externally oriented thinking.... (Review)
Review
Alexithymia is a multidimensional construct of personality implicating difficulties in identifying and describing another's feelings, and externally oriented thinking. It is broadly reported in psychiatric patients but has gained little attention regarding its occurrence and pathophysiology in multiple sclerosis (MS). This narrative review aims to address prevalence, etiology, neurobiological, and clinical findings of alexithymia. The prevalence of alexithymia in MS ranges from 10 to 53%. There seems to be an association with anxiety, depression, fatigue, and some aspects of social cognition, while the relationship with clinical and classical cognitive variables was rarely evaluated. Only a few studies referred to its pathophysiology assuming an aberrant interhemispheric transfer or regional cerebral abnormalities. The prevalence of alexithymia in MS and the potential negative impact on quality of life and interpersonal communication could severely impact clinical MS management and a screnning for these factors should be mandatory. Thus, further evaluation is needed concerning its relationship with clinical, emotional, and cognitive confounders. Large-scale studies employing neuroimaging techniques are needed for a better understanding of the neural underpinnings of this MS feature.
Topics: Humans; Affective Symptoms; Multiple Sclerosis; Quality of Life; Emotions; Anxiety
PubMed: 35948023
DOI: 10.1055/a-1882-6544 -
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology Dec 2020Self-harm, defined for the purpose of this review as any act of self-injury without explicit suicidal intent, is an increasing public health concern, with potential... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Self-harm, defined for the purpose of this review as any act of self-injury without explicit suicidal intent, is an increasing public health concern, with potential long-term implications for those who engage in it. Previous research has identified a correlational relationship between self-harm and alexithymia, an emotion processing deficit characterized by difficulties identifying and describing feelings, and an externally orientated thinking style. Through a systematic search of the literature, the current review examines the association between alexithymia and self-harm. A meta-analysis based on 23 studies found a significant, positive relationship between self-harm and alexithymia, with a medium effect size (g = 0.57, 95% CI 0.46-0.69). All 23 studies used the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS20) to measure alexithymia. The alexithymia subcomponents difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings were significantly associated with self-harm, but there was no significant association between self-harm and externally orientated thinking. The effect size of the relationship was significantly larger in adolescent samples compared with adult samples and in female compared with male samples. The definition of self-harm did not affect the effect size of the relationship between alexithymia and self-harm and the results are consistent with previous meta-analyses focused more narrowly on non-suicidal self-injury and, separately, suicidal behaviors. Heterogeneity between the included studies was high. The results support an affect regulation model of self-harm, in which self-harm is used to regulate an emotional experience that is poorly understood.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Emotional Regulation; Humans; Self-Injurious Behavior
PubMed: 32706131
DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12668 -
International Journal of... Dec 2019Proper control of blood pressure reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in hypertensive people. However, this control remains...
INTRODUCTION
Proper control of blood pressure reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in hypertensive people. However, this control remains mostly unsatisfactory. Although alexithymia has been associated with essential hypertension, no study has analysed the relationship between alexithymia and blood pressure control in drug-treated hypertension. This research aimed to analyse the presence and the characteristics of this relationship, considering both the pharmacological treatment and the achievement of adequate maintenance of blood pressure in a physiological range.
METHOD
One thousand two hundred and forty-one people participated in the study. Eight hundred and ten were hypertensive patients, and four hundred and thirty-one were normotensive people. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 was used to assess alexithymia.
RESULTS
Results show that hypertensive people are more alexithymic than normotensive people. According to the presence of pharmacological treatment, treated hypertensive patients are more alexithymic than normotensive and not treated hypertensive patients. Considering the blood pressure control associated with the drug-therapy, people with uncontrolled hypertension are more alexithymic than normotensive and untreated hypertensive people.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings confirm a relationship between alexithymia and essential arterial hypertension, but they also highlight that alexithymia appears to be associated with higher severity of hypertension. Alexithymia could be a facet of uncontrolled hypertension.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Italy; Male; Middle Aged
PubMed: 31639379
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.09.006 -
Asian Journal of Psychiatry Feb 2017Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in differentiating and describing feelings. Research indicates that alexithymia can be considered as a...
Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in differentiating and describing feelings. Research indicates that alexithymia can be considered as a possible risk factor for a variety of medical conditions. The purpose of our study was to compare and assess the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo and acne vulgaris. 120 consecutive subjects referred to dermatologic clinic with psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo and acne vulgaris and 30 subjects selected from hospital staff and relatives of patients were enrolled in patient and control groups of our study respectively. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to assess the prevalence of alexithymia. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis patients and the control group in terms of alexithymia score (p≤0.05), but did not find any significant difference between acne patients and control group (p=0.06). This study has demonstrated high score of alexithymia in patients with psoriasis, alopecia areata and vitiligo compared with control group; however, such association was not found in individuals with acne vulgaris. Hence it is proposed that the evaluation and management of alexithymia would better the treatment of skin disorders and improve the quality of life in patients.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Affective Symptoms; Alopecia Areata; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Psoriasis; Vitiligo; Young Adult
PubMed: 28262172
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.10.011 -
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing Apr 2022Depression is more than just sentiment sad or passing a rough patch. It is a serious psychological wellbeing disorder that needs curative care and maintenance. Emotional...
BACKGROUND
Depression is more than just sentiment sad or passing a rough patch. It is a serious psychological wellbeing disorder that needs curative care and maintenance. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a comprehensive personality construct denoting the capability to perceive and control affects within the self. Alexithymia is another personality construct that refers to the difficulty of recognizing and expressing feelings, with an outside oriented thinking style. Suicidal ideation is defined as thinking of appealing in conduct intentional to end one's life.
AIM
The current study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, alexithymia and suicidal ideation among depressive patients.
DESIGN
A descriptive correlation design was utilized.
SETTING
This study was conducted at the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic in El Ahrar Hospital, Alsharkia Governorate, Egypt.
SUBJECTS
A purposeful sample of 65 depressed patients was recruited for this study.
TOOLS
Data were collected by using four tools: Socio-demographic Data Sheet, Emotional Intelligence Scales, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Suicidal Ideation Scale.
RESULTS
The majority of depressed patients were having alexithymia and having low emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence was statistically significantly negatively correlated with alexithymia and suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, alexithymia was statistically significantly positively correlated with suicidal ideation. It was statistically significantly positively predictor of suicidal ideation and alexithymia, while it was statistically significantly negatively predictor of suicidal ideation and emotional intelligence.
CONCLUSION
Lower emotional intelligence led to higher suicidal ideation in depressive patients. Increasing alexithymia in patients with depressive disorders caused an increase in their suicidal ideation. Therefore, it is recommended implementing a training program such as mindfulness and emotional intelligence skills for patients to enhance their emotional intelligence.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Egypt; Emotional Intelligence; Humans; Suicidal Ideation
PubMed: 35337436
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2021.12.002 -
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Apr 2019Associations of alexithymia with temporomandibular pain disorders (TMD), facial pain, head pain and migraine have been described, but the role of the different...
BACKGROUND
Associations of alexithymia with temporomandibular pain disorders (TMD), facial pain, head pain and migraine have been described, but the role of the different dimensions of alexithymia in pain development remained incompletely understood.
OBJECTIVES
We sought to investigate the associations of alexithymia and its subfactors with signs of TMD and with facial pain, head pain and migraine in the general population.
METHODS
A total of 1494 subjects from the general population completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) and underwent a clinical functional examination with palpation of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles. Facial pain, migraine and head pain were defined by questionnaire. A set of logistic regression analyses was applied with adjustment for age, sex, education, number of traumatic events, depressive symptoms and anxiety.
RESULTS
Alexithymia was associated with TMD joint pain (Odds Ratio 2.63; 95% confidence interval 1.60-4.32 for 61 TAS-20 points vs the median of the TAS-20 score) and with facial pain severity (Odds Ratio 3.22; 95% confidence interval 1.79-5.79). Differential effects of the subfactors were discovered with difficulties in identifying feelings as main predictor for joint, facial, and head pain, and externally oriented thinking (EOT) as U-shaped and strongest predictor for migraine.
CONCLUSION
Alexithymia was moderately to strongly associated with signs and symptoms of TMD. These results should encourage dental practioners using the TAS-20 in clinical practice, to screen TMD, facial or head pain patients for alexithymia and could also help treating alexithymic TMD, facial or head pain patients.
Topics: Adult; Affective Symptoms; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort Studies; Facial Pain; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Germany; Headache; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pain Measurement; Palpation; Prevalence; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
PubMed: 30472782
DOI: 10.1111/joor.12748 -
The Journal of Nervous and Mental... May 2023Alexithymia, or deficits in emotion recognition, and metacognitive capacity have been noted both in psychosis and eating disorders and potentially linked to...
Alexithymia, or deficits in emotion recognition, and metacognitive capacity have been noted both in psychosis and eating disorders and potentially linked to psychopathology. This study sought to compare levels of impairments in these phenomena and their associations with psychopathology in groups with eating disorders and psychosis. Participants with diagnoses of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD; n = 53), anorexia (n = 40), or bulimia (n = 40) were recruited from outpatient clinics. Alexithymia was measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; emotion recognition, with the Ekman Faces Test; and metacognition, with the Metacognitive Assessment Scale-Abbreviated. Psychopathology was measured with the Eating Attitudes Test, Body Image Questionnaire, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results indicated that the SSD group had significantly poorer metacognitive function than either eating disorder group. Metacognition was related to body image in the anorexia group and a range of different forms of general psychopathology in the bulimia group. Alexithymia was related to eating disorder behaviors in the bulimia group.
Topics: Humans; Affective Symptoms; Schizophrenia; Metacognition; Bulimia; Anorexia; Emotions
PubMed: 37040137
DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001612 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2017Alexithymia is a psychological construct characterized by deficits in processing emotional stimuli. However, little is known about the processing of odours in...
Alexithymia is a psychological construct characterized by deficits in processing emotional stimuli. However, little is known about the processing of odours in alexithymia, even though there is extensive proof that emotion and olfaction are closely linked. The present study is aimed at investigating how alexithymic individuals process emotions conveyed by odors. Emotional responses to unpleasant, neutral odors and clean air were collected through self-report ratings and psychophysiological measures in a sample of 62 healthy participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia. Moreover, participants performed tests on odors identification and threshold and completed questionnaires assessing olfactory imagery and awareness. Two main results have been found: first, HA and MA groups showed altered physiological responses to odors, compared to LA, while no differences among the groups were observed in odor ratings; and second, affective and cognitive alexithymia components were differently associated with the performance on olfactory tests, skin conductance response to odors, reaction times in the rating task, and scores on olfactory questionnaires. We conclude that alexithymia is characterized by altered physiological reactions to olfactory stimuli; moreover, we stress the importance of evaluating the different alexithymia components since they affect emotional stimuli processing in different ways.
Topics: Adult; Affective Symptoms; Case-Control Studies; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Odorants; Personality; Self Report
PubMed: 29074970
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14404-x