In the center of busy streets and cities, where the sound of people chattering and technology buzzing together make a tune, there is an invisible phenomenon that affects only a few. In our world today, emotional intelligence is something you need if you want to get anywhere in life. But for those with alexithymia, it makes the world much more complicated. It is an issue not talked about as much as it is experienced.
Alexithymia is derived from the Greek words a = ‘lack’, lexis = words, and thymos = emotion, which means “no words for emotions”. Afflicted individuals have a hard time identifying how they feel, let alone describe it. For instance, we can think of it this way: when you wake up in the morning and open your phone to check what your friends texted last night, you’ll see tons of emojis or funny memes. For someone with alexithymia, they don’t understand how silly their friend thinks this dog video is—or even why there are tears on their face.
Though alexithymia is often associated with depression, autism, and other conditions, alexithymia is not a mental health disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard classification of mental illnesses in the United States. Viewed more as a symptom of mental disorders, alexithymia affects approximately 10% of the general population in varying degrees.
The genetic roots of alexithymia are linked to that oft-heard happy hormone: serotonin. A neurotransmitter associated with mood stabilization, low serotonin levels are thought to play a role in depression, anxiety, and other health conditions. In the human brain, 5-HT1A is one of the most abundantly expressed serotonin receptors. For the case of alexithymia, the genetic polymorphism of serotonin receptor genes 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A control the amount of serotonin available in the brain, and ultimately modulates characteristics of alexithymia.
Pursuing a wider perspective on understanding alexithymia, a population-based study of twins suggests that genetic factors have a noticeable impact on the facets of alexithymia, whereas a moderate influence of shared environmental factors between twin pairs was found.
Acknowledging that a genetic part is linked to alexithymia promotes understanding and acceptance of this common symptom of mental disorders. This is the first step to pursuing interventions in order to address this phenomenon.
Alexithymia-targeted approaches such as training for improved awareness of bodily sensations and emotions and group therapy sessions, have demonstrated success in decreasing alexithymia prevalence.
We must live in a society where being emotionally open is praised. Accepting the fact that there are people who can’t open up so easily can not only help them mentally but also give way to practical benefits. Personalized therapy approaches or support systems in educational and professional environments could all change the lives of those affected by this condition for the better.
Furthermore, it is crucial to provide environments where different ways of thinking and feeling are acknowledged and respected. Through this, we improve the emotional environment for everyone while also providing accommodations for those who have alexithymia. The genuine beauty of our species, after all, rests in the diversity of human experience.
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