Tag

Alexithymia

All articles tagged with #alexithymia

Autistic and non-autistic faces encode emotions in different languages.
mind-and-brain1 month ago

Autistic and non-autistic faces encode emotions in different languages.

A Birmingham-led study using advanced facial motion tracking found autistic and non-autistic people express basic emotions with different facial cues, leading to mutual misinterpretations. Autistic expressions tend to be more varied and rely more on mouth movements, with subtler smiles and distinct sadness cues; alexithymia further blurs these expressions. The researchers frame emotional expression as two complementary 'languages' rather than a deficit and call for more work on cross-language understanding.

Childhood Maltreatment's Lasting Impact on Adult Emotional Well-being
psychology2 years ago

Childhood Maltreatment's Lasting Impact on Adult Emotional Well-being

New research published in Psychological Bulletin reveals that individuals who experienced childhood maltreatment, such as abuse or neglect, are more likely to exhibit higher levels of alexithymia (difficulty in identifying and describing emotions) in adulthood. Emotional abuse and neglect were found to be the strongest predictors of adult alexithymia. The study highlights the long-lasting effects of early experiences of maltreatment on emotional development and emphasizes the importance of addressing child maltreatment to promote emotional well-being. However, more research is needed to establish causality and explore cultural differences in this relationship.

The Lasting Impact of Childhood Abuse on Adult Mental Health
psychology2 years ago

The Lasting Impact of Childhood Abuse on Adult Mental Health

A meta-analysis conducted by Stanford University researchers reveals a strong connection between childhood maltreatment, particularly emotional and physical neglect, and alexithymia in adulthood. Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, can lead to challenges in social interactions and is often associated with psychological disorders. The study emphasizes the need for improved therapeutic interventions to help affected adults understand and regulate their emotions. Emotional neglect and physical neglect were found to be particularly strong predictors of alexithymia, while emotional abuse and physical abuse were also related but less strongly predictive. The research highlights the importance of caregivers in a child's emotional development and the potential long-term impact of maltreatment.

health2 years ago

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Emotional Detachment.

Childhood maltreatment, including emotional abuse and neglect, can lead to the development of alexithymia in adulthood, according to a new study. Alexithymia is a personality trait that prevents individuals from being able to identify their emotions. The study found that emotional abuse and neglect were the strongest predictors of adult alexithymia. The researchers identified five types of childhood maltreatment, including emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. It is important to note that not every child that experiences maltreatment will experience alexithymia.

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Emotional Difficulties Explored.
mental-health2 years ago

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Emotional Difficulties Explored.

A new meta-analysis reveals a strong correlation between alexithymia, a difficulty in identifying and describing emotions, and various forms of child maltreatment, particularly emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect. The study highlights the need for tailored therapeutic interventions to aid millions struggling with social and intimate relationships. Approximately 10% of the general population exhibits clinically relevant levels of alexithymia, with a higher prevalence in men. High levels of alexithymia are associated with psychological disorders, including autism, depression, and schizophrenia.