Emotion Blindness (Alexithymia)

Alexithymia can be defined as having difficulty in understanding, recognizing and expressing one's own emotions and not being able to express one's existing problems. It is also included in the literature as emotional blindness.

Alexithymia is not seen as a transient psychological condition but as one of the personality traits. It is more common in men than women. Communication and interactions in the social environment of an individual with this condition will also be limited.

It is said that alcohol and substance abuse, depressive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, antisocial personality disorder and physical disorders resulting from mental state may play a role in the emergence of alektisim.

The reasons may be; miscommunication in childhood, lack of socialization, not receiving enough attention and love from the family in childhood. When these people are asked about their feelings, they give clear and superficial answers such as good or bad, they may be bored by the other person because they tell a story monotonously and without emotion, they have difficulty dreaming and remembering their dreams, they stay away from conflicts and focus on their existing physical problems and do not dwell on the fact that this situation is not of emotional origin.

There is no medication for treatment, but psychotherapy can be helpful.