Alexithymia and Solace

Abstract

Thirteen alexithymic patients and 13 panic disorder patients were compared with matched controls regarding their use of self-solacing strategies. Whereas the panic disorder group used significantly more (p < 0.001) solacing objects, activities and sounds than normals, the alexithymic subjects used significantly fewer self-solacing strategies (p < 0.001). In view of the developmental, clinical and subjective importance of the ability to solace oneself, the hypothesis that alexithymia may, in some cases, represent a basic feeling deficit is supported.

The Amsterdam Alexithymia Scale: Its Psychometric Values and Correlations with Other Personality Traits

“…Further, given the inability to experience emotional feelings, neglect of need and impulses has to be expected in alexithymic persons. Our results, indicating that alexithymic persons have a tendency to neglect their needs, are in line with the results of Horton et al [61], who demonstrated that these persons are less inclined to look for solace.…”

RE-Alexithymia &ndash; State and Trait

“…a diffi culty in employing self-solacing strategics implying that the results of our study arc more or less old hat. In fact, the present study [I], cou pled with the results of the first, for mal, controlled study of solacing or comforting object usage by alexithy mies [2] suggests an important diag nostic distinction: Whereas the se verely personality disordered typi cally use no solacing or 'transitional objects' [3. 4], the alexithymie does use solacers but significantly fewer than normal controls.…”

Communicating with Alexithymic and Non-Alexithymic Patients: An Experimental Study of the Effect of Psychosocial Communication and Empathy on Patient Satisfaction

“…One would therefore expect that they would be more dependent on explicit verbal acceptance from the physician. It has also been proposed that these patients have a poorer than average ability to use self-soothing strategies [39, 40]and have experienced insecure attachment in childhood [41]. These findings could indicate a greater dependence upon, and a greater need for positive communication and acceptance from the physician using empathic responses.…”