Testing the Alexithymia Hypothesis: Physiological and Subjective Responses During Relaxation and Stress

Abstract

Alexithymia has been linked to various disorders, including compulsive behaviors, anxiety disorders, and physical conditions with or without symptoms. It has been hypothesized that these disorders result from the alexithymic inability to differentiate and elaborate affect, which gives rise to physiological arousal and a negative subjective state, which are not regulated by psychological strategies. We tested these hypothesized mechanisms by comparing 42 alexithymic subjects with 42 sex- and race-matched non-alexithymic subjects on physiological and subjective responses to an autogenic relaxation exercise and three different laboratory stressors. Alexithymic subjects had tonically greater electrodermal activity and reported more arousal and displeasure in general than nonalexithymic subjects. Groups did not differ in the degree to which they relaxed, but alexithymic subjects reported less enjoyment of, less involvement in, and poorer imagery during relaxation. All three stressors evoked reactivity, and alexithymic women had less heart rate change when viewing disgusting scenes than did nonalexithymic women; in general, however, groups did not differ in reactivity or recovery to the stressors. We find some support for the hypothesized mechanisms of alexithymia, and we suggest specific links between alexithymia and clinical disorders.

Alexithymia in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Its Relationship to Internalising Difficulties, Sensory Modulation and Social Cognition

“…This is reflected in findings of poorer bodyperception, such as reduced registration of the effects of chemical intake or poorer perception of own heart beat (Ernst et al 2014;Herbert et al 2011;Lyvers et al 2014). Furthermore, individuals with alexithymia experience less pleasure during relaxation and report more boredom, with suggestions they may find it difficult to engage with and derive pleasure from the stimulation in their environment (Eastwood et al 2007;Eastwood et al 2012;Friedlander et al 1997). Low sensory registration has also been reported in individuals with ASD (Crane et al 2009;De la Marche et al 2012); therefore our findings suggest that there is an overlap in sensory modulation difficulties between the two conditions.…”

The Assessment of Alexithymia in Medical Settings: Implications for Understanding and Treating Health Problems

“…A number of studies have found that alexithymia is related to higher levels of resting (tonic) sympathetic or cardiovascular activity (Friedlander, Lumley, Farchione, & Doyal, 1997;Fukunishi, Sei, Morita, & Rahe, 1999;Gundel et al, 2002;Henry et al, 1992;Infrasca, 1997;Stone & Nielson, 2001;Wehmer, Brejnak, Lumley, & Stettner, 1995), although other studies have found no alexithymia effect on resting measures (Luminet, Rimé, Bagby, & Taylor, 2004;Newton & Contrada, 1994;Roedema & Simons, 1999;Waldstein, Kauhanen, Neumann, & Katzel, 2002). No studies, however, have shown that alexithymia is associated with lower resting physiological activity.…”

Leadership coaching experiences of clients with Alexithymia

“…The following symptoms of alexithymia are mentioned in the literature (Abe & Izard, 1999;Apfel & Sifneos, 1979;Berenbaum & Irvin, 1996;Berenbaum & Prince, 1994;Dewaraja, Tanigawa, Araki, Nakata, Kawamura, Ago & Sasaki, 1997;Friedlander, Lumley, Farchione, & Doyal 1997;Izard, 1990;Kauhanen, Kaplan, Cohen, Salonen, & Salonen, 1994;King, 1998;King & Emmons, 1990;Kooiman, 1998;Lane & Schwartz, 1987;Lane, Ahern, Schwartz & Kaszniak, 1997;Lane, Sechrest, Reidel, Weldon, Kaszniak, Schwartz, 1996;Taylor, Bagby, & Parker, 1997). On the physical level the individual shows a decreased immune response, a variety of ailments such as hypertension and a decrease in ability to associate physical sensations with emotions.…”