alexithymia
Pronunciation: ah-lek-si-THY-mee-ah
Difficulty identifying, describing, and expressing emotions, often associated with right hemisphere dysfunction.
Full Definition
Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in emotional processing, including trouble identifying feelings, describing emotions to others, and distinguishing between feelings and bodily sensations. In neuropsychology, acquired alexithymia may result from right hemisphere damage, anterior cingulate lesions, or corpus callosum disconnection. Patients often exhibit concrete thinking patterns and reduced emotional awareness, which can impact therapeutic relationships and rehabilitation outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Greek derivation: 'no words for emotions'. Avoid confusing with general emotional difficulties.
In Context
- "Post-stroke alexithymia complicated the patient's ability to participate in psychological interventions." — Rehabilitation planning notes
- "Assessment revealed alexithymia contributing to the patient's difficulty describing symptom experiences." — Clinical interview summary