When someone asks, “How are you feeling?” are you genuinely not sure? Maybe you come across as socially awkward. Or perhaps people have accused you of “withholding” your emotions.
Any of those examples might indicate something called “alexithymia.” It’s a legitimate condition (with a fancy title). And about 13 percent of the population experiences it (Ditzer, 2023). Characteristics of alexithymia include difficulties in identifying and describing one’s own emotional state.
Of course, there are times in any of our lives when we can’t find the words to express what’s going on inside the body and mind at a particular moment. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we have the condition. Alexithymia is a more persistent state than the occasional “at a loss for words.” It’s an emotional unawareness. With alexithymia, the person can’t (or struggles to) attach symbols (words) to label or share what’s happening emotionally for them.
Six reasons why emotional awareness matters
If we don’t understand what we’re emotionally experiencing: (Click for full article)
