What Is Alexithymia?: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More
"When you can’t name the feeling, it’s hard to heal the wound."
— Brooke Sprowl
What Is Alexithymia—and Why It Matters in Mental Health
Alexithymia is a condition that affects how a person processes emotions—not because they lack feelings, but because they struggle to identify, describe, or express them. Often mistaken for emotional coldness, alexithymia is more accurately described as a form of emotional blindness.
In 2025, therapists and researchers are gaining a deeper understanding of alexithymia as a neurological and psychological trait, not a character flaw. It often exists alongside trauma, autism, depression, or chronic stress—and its impact on relationships, self-awareness, and healing is profound.
This blog explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for alexithymia, along with how therapy can help build emotional literacy and connection.
What Is Alexithymia?
What it is:
Alexithymia is defined as the inability to identify and describe emotions in oneself. The word comes from Greek: “a” (lack), “lexis” (word), and “thymos” (emotion)—literally, “no words for emotions.”
How it shows up:
People with alexithymia often:
Have difficulty distinguishing between emotions and bodily sensations
Struggle to articulate feelings to others
Appear emotionally distant or disconnected
Feel confused, blank, or overwhelmed in emotionally charged situations
What it’s not:
Alexithymia is not a mental illness. It’s a trait or symptom that can appear in various psychological or neurological conditions.
Ask yourself: Do I have trouble explaining what I’m feeling—or even knowing what I feel?
Causes of Alexithymia
1. Developmental Trauma or Neglect
Many people with alexithymia grew up in homes where emotions were dismissed, punished, or ignored. If you were not taught to name your feelings, you may never have developed that internal language.
2. Autism Spectrum Conditions
Research shows a high prevalence of alexithymia in autistic individuals—not due to lack of empathy, but due to differences in interoception (awareness of internal states).
3. Traumatic Brain Injury or Neurological Differences
Damage to areas of the brain involved in emotional processing, like the anterior cingulate cortex or insula, can contribute to alexithymia.
4. Mental Health Conditions
Alexithymia often coexists with:
PTSD
Depression
Eating disorders
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Explore more at: Psychology Today – Understanding Alexithymia
Reconnect with What You Feel (Even If You Don’t Know How Yet)
You deserve to experience your full emotional range. With the right support, emotional awareness can grow—one safe step at a time.
6 Common Symptoms of Alexithymia
- Difficulty identifying feelings (“I don’t know what I feel right now”)
- Trouble describing emotions to others (“I just feel weird”)
- Limited imagination or fantasy life
- Poor emotional awareness in relationships
- Focus on physical symptoms rather than emotional cues (e.g., stomachaches instead of anxiety)
- Disconnection between thoughts and feelings
Therapist note: Many people with alexithymia describe feeling like they’re missing a key part of the human experience—but healing is possible.
How Alexithymia Affects Mental Health and Relationships
Internal disconnection: Without access to your emotions, it’s hard to understand your needs, set boundaries, or make intuitive decisions.
Misattuned relationships: Loved ones may feel confused or rejected by your emotional inaccessibility.
Chronic stress or shutdown: Suppressed emotions build up, leading to anxiety, dissociation, or burnout.
Blocked healing: Many therapeutic approaches require emotional insight, which can feel inaccessible to those with alexithymia.
Ask yourself: Do I feel close to my feelings—or cut off from them?
Build an Inner Life That Feels Alive
Alexithymia doesn’t define you. Therapy can help you uncover the emotional richness you’ve always had—but never had the words for.
Therapy Approaches for Alexithymia
1. Somatic Therapy
Because alexithymia disconnects you from emotions, starting with the body can be powerful. Breathwork, movement, and body scanning build interoceptive awareness.
Explore more: Somatic Techniques
2. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT helps clients identify, label, and process emotions in real time—with a therapist gently guiding the process.
3. Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness strengthens the ability to observe sensations without judgment—an important step in building emotional literacy.
4. Creative Arts and Expressive Therapies
Art, music, or journaling bypass verbal blocks and allow emotional expression through nonverbal channels.
Learn more: Good Therapy – Expressive Arts Therapy
5. Psychoeducation and Emotional Vocabulary Building
Therapists may introduce emotion wheels, feeling lists, or story-based tools to build language around emotions.
Stay curious, stay compassionate, and know that your journey is uniquely yours.
And in that uniqueness lies your power.
In the meantime, stay true, brave, and kind,
– Brooke
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Brooke Sprowl is an industry-leading expert and author in psychology, spirituality, and self-transformation. Her insights have featured in dozens of media outlets such as Huffington Post, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Spectrum One News, Mind Body Green, YourTango, and many more. As the founder and CEO of My LA Therapy, she leads a team of 15 dedicated therapists and wellness professionals. Brooke has been a featured speaker at prominent universities and venues such as UCLA School of Public Affairs, USC, Loyola Marymount University, the Mark Taper Auditorium, and Highways Performance Gallery, to name a few. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Welfare with a Mental Health Specialization from UCLA, a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from USC, and certifications in peak performance and flow science from the Flow Research Collective, Brooke has helped hundreds of prominent leaders and CEO’s overcome anxiety, relationship difficulties, and trauma and reclaim a sense of purpose, vitality, and spiritual connection. With 15 years of experience in personal development and self-transformation as a therapist and coach, she has pioneered dozens of original concepts and frameworks to guide people in overcoming mental health challenges and awakening spiritually. Brooke is the host of the podcast, Waking Up with Brooke Sprowl. She is passionate about writing, neuroscience, philosophy, integrity, poetry, spirituality, creativity, effective altruism, personal and collective healing, and curating luxury, transformational retreat experiences for high-achievers seeking spiritual connection.
