Abstract
In this chapter we focus on the role of bodily sensations and their detection by individuals who have alexithymia. A transdiagnostic phenomenon with significant clinical importance, the concept of alexithymia originated in clinical practice. It denotes a clinical description of patients with limited ability to identify and articulate emotions, a concrete thinking style and a poor fantasy life. The concept of alexithymia has evolved in recent years and is increasingly situated within the domain of cognitive and affective neuroscience. From this perspective, it is regarded as a disruption of various neurocognitive processes such as disturbed emotion perception and the perception of internal physical sensations (interoception). In this chapter, we describe three ‘eras’ of alexithymia research with an emphasis on recent developments. We discuss the most common diagnostic tools and provide some guidelines for the psychotherapeutic treatment of alexithymia. In conclusion, we emphasize the need for deepening the knowledge of the psychological and neuroscientific processes underlying alexithymia.
Translated title of the contribution | The body as a (muffled) sound box for emotion: How research on alexithymia has ‘incorporated’ the body |
---|---|
Original language | Dutch |
Title of host publication | Lichaam en psychologisch functioneren |
Subtitle of host publication | Theorie, onderzoek en klinische toepassing |
Editors | E.H.M. Eurelings, C.G. Kooiman, M.H. Lub |
Place of Publication | Houten |
Publisher | Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum |
Edition | 1 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9789036826822 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789036826822 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- lichaam
- psychiatrie
- transdiagnostisch
- alexithymia
- lichaamsgericht
- bodily oriented
- body