Preliminary findings of an ongoing study of the distribution of alexithymia in different diagnostic-groups of psychosomatically ill in-patients (n = 240, will be increased to n = 400) are reported. Alexithymiea is measured simultaneousely by the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS, a performance-test) and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS 20, a self-report-scale). Measured by the LEAS and compared with other diagnostic groups (affective, anxiety and compulsive-obsessive disorders; adjustment disorders; eating disorders), patients with somatoform disorders showed a decreased ability to be aware of and to communicate their emotional states. This finding which meets theoretical considerations about the origin of alexithymia could not be found with the TAS 20. The TAS 20 did not differentiate between the diagnostic groups, but showed - in accordance with two other self-report-scales (STAI for self reported anxiety as a personality trait and SCL-90-R for self reported somatic und psychic complaints) - higher mean scores at the onset than at the end of treatment. Methodical implications of the different findings of the two alexithymia scales are discussed.

Until now little is known about the role of participation in self-help groups alone or combined with psychotherapy in post-in-patient care. In the present study 2933 patients were questioned about their experience of self-help groups and psychotherapy after discharge from a clinic for psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy. Nearly 8 % of them utilized self-help groups (mostly combined with out-patient psychotherapy), and altogether 68 % out-patient psychotherapy following in-patient treatment. Patients without out-patient treatment were psychologically less burdened and had better resources than participants of self-help groups or psychotherapy. Self-help group members differed from patients in out-patient psychotherapy by expressing a more positive opinion of groupwork and higher openness to new experiences. Additionly, they had discussed the topic of self-help groups more frequently with their therapists. This may be a starting-point for promoting more self-help activities of patients in the future.

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