Do you have trouble explaining your emotions? Take the questionnaire to find out if you have Alexithymia

Do people ask you how you’re feeling and you just can’t explain it?

Do you feel blank?
Do you wonder how other people can know what they are feeling?

It may be that you have something called Alexithymia, which means that you have problems feeling or explaining your emotions.

People who have alexithymia may have difficulties with expressing emotions that are what most people feel in certain situations, such as happiness at a happy event, or sadness at a sad event. They tend to focus on external things that are happening instead of their own internal world and so they might come across as being out of touch or apathetic.

Although they have trouble expressing their emotions, some do still feel them and so they may become angry or confused or have difficulty reading people’s expressions when in social situations.

They may not realise their body changes, such as clammy hands, or nervous fig as emotional responses. For example, you might have trouble linking a racing heart to excitement or fear, but are still able to acknowledge that you’re experiencing a physiological response in the moment.

Some who have Alexithymia feel less than other people, whereas others feel just as strongly however they have problems expressing their feelings.

Alexithymia is not a diagnosis but more of a subclinical symptom that can cause frustration with friends and family and in relationships. Therapy can help with understanding your emotions and with relationships and social situations.

If you think you’re having trouble with recognising or describing your feelings to others, then click on this link to download a PDF questionnaire to see if you may have Alexithymia..