Does EMDR Therapy Work Online? What You Need to Know
Discovering the term “alexithymia” can be eye-opening for those who’ve struggled to understand their emotions. When it’s hard to name what you’re feeling, or expressing emotions feels out of reach, understanding alexithymia and emotions might provide clarity. Alexithymia makes it difficult to connect feelings with words, leaving emotions unclear or undefined. Recognising this experience as alexithymia can be an important step toward understanding and expressing emotions more easily.
What Is Alexithymia?
This trait makes recognising and expressing emotions challenging. It doesn’t mean emotions are absent, but rather that identifying and sharing them can feel difficult. Many people with alexithymia describe their feelings in physical terms. For example, they may talk about a “stomach ache” when anxious, as pinpointing the emotional side of their experience feels harder.
Could Alexithymia Describe Your Experience?
If you think alexithymia may help explain your challenges with emotions, a screening tool could be helpful. The Online Alexithymia Questionnaire is one such tool. This 37-item quiz highlights areas where identifying, describing, or communicating emotions may be difficult.
Strategies for Learning to Communicate Emotions
Expressing emotions can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to identifying them. A therapeutic approach provides practical strategies to bridge this gap. For instance, recognising body sensations can offer clues to your emotional state. Tools like emotion wheels or charts can make it easier to identify feelings. Some people also find visual aids or metaphors helpful when words alone aren’t enough.
Those with alexithymia may find understanding and expressing emotions to be like learning a new language. With support, however, it’s possible to strengthen your connection with your emotions, improve communication, and build closer relationships. Therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to work on challenges around alexithymia and emotions. Through therapy, you can develop strategies that make emotional expression and understanding more accessible. With patience and guidance, meaningful progress is possible as you connect more deeply with yourself and others.
