Cited by 430Psychosomatic Disorders and Their TreatmentsMedicine, History, and PhilosophyEmpathy and Medical Education

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Alexithymia: past and present

Peter E. Sifneos·1996·American Journal of Psychiatry

DOI 10.1176/ajp.153.7.137

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Psychoanalytically-Oriented Inpatient Psychotherapy of Somatoform Disorders
Beutel, M. E., Michal, M., & Subič-Wrana, C. (2008) · Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry · doi:10.1521/jaap.2008.36.1.125 · Cited by 39
A confirmatory factor analysis of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in an alcohol-dependent sample
Thorberg, F. A., Young, R. M., Sullivan, K. A., Lyvers, M., Hurst, C. P., Connor, J. P., & Feeney, G. F. X. (2010) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.09.015 · Cited by 38
“The counterargument is that such changes could result in amodified construct not true to the original definition (Sifneos, 1996; Loas et al., 2001), and that it may be better to use a well-researched scale, despite its psychometric shortcomings.”
Confidence in Emotion Perception in Point-Light Displays Varies with the Ability to Perceive Own Emotions
Lorey, B., Kaletsch, M., Pilgramm, S., Bischoff, M., Kindermann, S., Sauerbier, I., Stark, R. M., Zentgraf, K., & Munzert, J. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042169 · Cited by 37
The role of alexithymia in trauma therapy outcomes: Examining improvements in PTSD, dissociation, and interpersonal problems.
Zorzella, K. P. M., Muller, R. T., Cribbie, R. A., Bambrah, V., & Classen, C. C. (2019) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000433 · Cited by 51
Relationship Patterns in Alexithymia: A Study Using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method
Vanheule, S., Desmet, M., Rosseel, Y., Verhaeghe, P., & Meganck, R. (2007) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000096385 · Cited by 38
Alexithymia and Plaque Psoriasis: Preliminary Investigation in a Clinical Sample of 250 Patients
Talamonti, M., Galluzzo, M., Servoli, S., D’Adamio, S., & Bianchi, L. (2016) · Dermatology · doi:10.1159/000453661 · Cited by 38
The Relationship between Alexithymia and General Symptoms of Patients with Depressive Disorders
Kim, J. H., Lee, S. J., Rim, H. D., Kim, H. W., Bae, G. Y., & Chang, S. M. (2008) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.4306/pi.2008.5.3.179 · Cited by 39
Alexithymia and temperament and character model of personality in alcohol‐dependent Turkish men
Evren, C., Köse, S., Sayar, K., Özçelik, B., Borckardt, J. P., Elhai, J. D., & Cloninger, C. R. (2008) · Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1111/j.1440-1819.2008.01829.x · Cited by 36
Alexithymia in Patients Attending a Sexual Disorders Clinic
Wise, T. N., Osborne, C. S., Strand, J. G., Fagan, P. J., & Schmidt, C. W. (2002) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/00926230290001556 · Cited by 34
“Alexithymia is a personality trait and describes individuals who have difficulty identifying or reporting their specific emotions, who have limited fantasies and daydreams, and who use an external circumstantial cognitive style (Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
Neural Correlates of Deficits in Pain-Related Affective Meaning Construction in Patients With Chronic Pain Disorder
Noll‐Hussong, M., Otti, A., Wohlschlaeger, A. M., Zimmer, C., Henningsen, P., Lahmann, C., Ronel, J., Subič-Wrana, C., Lane, R. D., Decety, J., et al. (2013) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31827e60f3 · Cited by 36
“Individuals with somatoform pain disorder often have difficulties realizing and interpreting emotional signals within themselves and perceive these signals as mere physical sensations (8)Va phenomenon that has been conceptualized as alexithymia (9).”
BackgroundMethod
Alexithymia, Negative Emotions, and Sexual Behavior in Heterosexual University Students from Italy
Scimeca, G., Bruno, A., Pandolfo, G., Micò, U., Romeo, V. M., Abenavoli, E., Schimmenti, A., Zoccali, R., & Muscatello, M. R. A. (2013) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-012-0006-8 · Cited by 34
Childhood and adolescent migraine: A neuropsychiatric disorder?
Balottin, U., Chiappedi, M. A., Rossi, M., Termine, C., & Nappi, G. (2011) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.016 · Cited by 33
“impairment of the ability to recognise and make sense of emotions that have somehow been moved into the body [42].”
Background
Salivary cortisol response after a medical interview: The impact of physician communication behaviour, depressed affect and alexithymia
Finset, A., Graugaard, P. K., & Holgersen, K. (2005) · Patient Education and Counseling · doi:10.1016/j.pec.2005.03.005 · Cited by 34
“Alexithymia is a term first coined by Sifneos, to denote patients who have difficulties in identifying and naming their emotions [15,16].”
Background
[Somatic complaints, mood states, and emotional awareness in adolescents].
Rieffe, C. J., Villanueva, L., Adrián, J., & Górriz, A. B. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 35
Embodied emotion impairment in Huntington’s disease
Trinkler, I., Devignevielle, S., Achaibou, A., Ligneul, R. V., Brugières, P., Cleret de Langavant, L., De Gelder, B., Scahill, R., Schwartz, S., & Bachoud-Lévi, A.-C. (2017) · Cortex · doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2017.02.019 · Cited by 33
“…affect sharing (Bernhardt & Singer, 2012; Bird et al., 2010) and reflecting on feelings across the emotion spectrum (Silani et al., 2008), is correlated with empathy self-report scores and trait alexithymia, the latter referring to difficulties describing and identifying emotions (Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
Relational health, alexithymia, and psychological distress in college women: Testing a mediator model.
Liang, B., & West, J. (2011) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2011.01093.x · Cited by 41
A behavior analytic interpretation of alexithymia
Darrow, S. M., & Follette, W. C. (2014) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.03.002 · Cited by 33
“Clinicians began using this term for individuals who presented to therapy with an inability to experience or at least describe emotions (Lesser, 1981; Sifneos, 1996; Taylor, 1984).”
Background
Aktuelle Perspektiven der Alexithymie
Gündel, H., Ceballos-Baumann, A., & von Rad, M. (2000) · Der Nervenarzt · doi:10.1007/s001150050024 · Cited by 31
Étude des relations entre alexithymie et anhédonie chez des femmes présentant des troubles du comportement alimentaire et chez des témoins
Deborde, A.-S., Berthoz, S., Godart, N. T., Perdereau, F., Corcos, M., & Jeammet, P. (2006) · L Encéphale · doi:10.1016/s0013-7006(06)76140-1 · Cited by 31
A study and comparison of Alexithymia among patients with substance use disorder and normal people
Hamidi, S., Rostami, R., Farhoodi, F., & Abdolmanafi, A. (2010) · Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.289 · Cited by 31
“Sifneos (1996) has suggested that alexithymia is common in individuals with a substance use disorder.”
Background
Alexithymia – Imagination – Creativity
Czernecka, K., & Szymura, B. (2008) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.05.019 · Cited by 30
The effect of alexithymia and depressive feelings on pain perception in somatoform pain disorder
Lankes, F. N., Schiekofer, S., Eichhammer, P., & Busch, V. (2020) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110101 · Cited by 29
What do alexithymia items measure? A discriminant content validity study of the Toronto-alexithymia-scale–20
Veirman, E., Ryckeghem, D. M. L. V., Verleysen, G., Paepe, A. L. D., & Crombez, G. (2021) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.11639 · Cited by 30
Defense Mechanisms in Alexithymia
Bogutyn, T., Pałczyński, J., Kokoszka, A., et al. (1999) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1999.84.1.183 · Cited by 29
Comparison of 26-Item and 20-Item Versions of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale for Psychiatric Outpatients
Wise, T. N., Simpson, N., & Sheridan, M. J. (2000) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.2000.87.1.127 · Cited by 29
Integrating Cognitive Neuroscience Research and Cognitive Behavioral Treatment with Neurofeedback Therapy in Drug Addiction Comorbid with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Conceptual Review
Sokhadze, T. M., Stewart, C., & Hollifield, M. A. (2007) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1300/j184v11n02_03 · Cited by 29
Music as a Forum for Social-Emotional Health
Saarikallio, S. H., & Baltazar, M. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-76240-1_7 · Cited by 30
Evaluation of alexithymia in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
Chimenti, M. S., Fonti, G. L., Conigliaro, P., Hitaj, J., Triggianese, P., Teoli, M., Galluzzo, M., Talamonti, M., Kroegler, B., Greco, E., et al. (2019) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000013955 · Cited by 28
“Sifneos coined the term alexithymia, literally “absence of words for emotion” (a= lack, lejis=word, tymos= emotions), to describe people who lack the ability to communicate their feelings or have limited imagination.([10,11]) Kokkonen and collaborators examined the prevalence of alexithymia and its”
Background
Social Media and Adolescent Development: Hazards, Pitfalls and Opportunities for Growth
Barth, F. D. (2014) · Clinical Social Work Journal · doi:10.1007/s10615-014-0501-6 · Cited by 28
“Alexithymia, a term derived from Greek and translated as ‘‘without words for emotions,’’ was originally applied to psychosomatic disorders (Sifneos 1996).”
Background
Alexithymia in patients with conversion disorder
Gülpek, D., Kaplan, F. K., Kesebir, S., & Bora, O. B. (2013) · Nordic Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.3109/08039488.2013.814711 · Cited by 28
Interpersonal problem areas and alexithymia in adolescent girls with loss of control eating
Berger, S. S., Elliott, C. A., Ranzenhofer, L. M., Shomaker, L. B., Hannallah, L. M., Field, S. E., Young, J. F., Sbrocco, T., Wilfley, D. E., Yanovski, J. A., et al. (2013) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.08.005 · Cited by 29
“In one naturalistic study, about half of children who endorsed LOC eating during childhood continued to report LOC eating 4 years later, and only youth with persistent LOC eating experienced the greatest increases in psychological distress [8].”
Background
Is the relationship between alexithymia and aggression context-dependent? Impact of group membership and belief similarity
Konrath, S., Novin, S., & Li, T. (2012) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.04.004 · Cited by 27
Emotional Dysfunction and Interoceptive Challenges in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bonete, S., Molinero, C., & Ruisanchez, D. (2023) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs13040312 · Cited by 28
“), which vary in severity depending on the individual [22,23].”
Background
Alexithymia, depression and anxiety in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorder: Comparative study of autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified and attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder
Durukan, İ., Kara, K., Almbaideen, M., Karaman, D., & Gül, H. (2017) · Pediatrics International · doi:10.1111/ped.13510 · Cited by 29
Self-reported vs. actual energy intake in youth with and without loss of control eating
Wolkoff, L. E., Tanofsky‐Kraff, M., Shomaker, L. B., Kozlosky, M., Columbo, K. M., Elliott, C. A., Ranzenhofer, L. M., Osborn, R., Yanovski, S. Z., & Yanovski, J. A. (2010) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2010.09.001 · Cited by 28
Different subgroups of high-scorers on the TAS-20 based on the big five personality traits
Ueno, M., Maeda, M., & Komaki, G. (2014) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2014.04.012 · Cited by 27
“It has been questioned if a self-report scale can adequately assess a construct that involves impairments in self-awareness of emotions (Erni, Lotscher, & Modestin, 1997; Lane, Ahern, Schwartz, & Kaszniak, 1997; Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
Alexithymia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of anxiety, depression, and glycemic control
Avcı, D., & Kelleci, M. (2016) · Patient Preference and Adherence · doi:10.2147/ppa.s110903 · Cited by 27
“18,19 24–27 Alexithymia is also reported to be associated with depression and anxiety in patients with DM. 17,27,28 Alexithymic features and psychiatric symptoms negatively affect the clinical presentation, severity and progression of the disease, and compliance with the treatment.”
Background
Assessing Reliability and Validity of the Farsi Version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in a Sample of Substance-Using Patients
Beshārat, M. A. (2008) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.102.1.259-270 · Cited by 28
Conceito mente e corpo através da História
de Castro, M. D. G., Andrade, T. M. R., & Müller, M. C. (2006) · Psicologia em Estudo · doi:10.1590/s1413-73722006000100005 · Cited by 27
Validité du questionnaire d’alexithymie de Bermond et Vorst : étude chez des sujets présentant des troubles du comportement alimentaire et chez des témoins
Deborde, A.-S., Berthoz, S., Perdereau, F., Godart, N. T., Corcos, M., & Jeammet, P. (2004) · L Encéphale · doi:10.1016/s0013-7006(04)95461-9 · Cited by 27
Psychopharmacological Treatment and Psychological Interventions in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Sinagra, E., Romano, C., & Cottone, M. (2012) · Gastroenterology Research and Practice · doi:10.1155/2012/486067 · Cited by 27
Interaction between emotions and somatic complaints in children who did or did not seek medical care
Rieffe, C. J., Terwogt, M. M., Bosch, J. D., Kneepkens, C. M. F., Douwes, A. C., & Jellesma, F. C. (2007) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699930701238495 · Cited by 26
“It is argued that an inability to identify one’s own feelings in specific situations is a prominent characteristic of people with psychosomatic complaints (De Gucht, Fischler, & Heiser, 2004; Grabe, Spitzer, & Freyberger, 2004; Lundh & Simonsson-Sarnecki, 2001; Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
Anger and alexithymic characteristics of the patients diagnosed with insomnia: a control group study
Engin, E., Keskin, G., Dülgerler, Ş., & Bilge, A. (2010) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2010.01604.x · Cited by 25
An Investigation of Health Anxiety in Families Where Children Have Recurrent Abdominal Pain
Ramchandani, P. G., Murray, L., Romano, G. F., Vlachos, H., & Stein, A. L. (2010) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsq095 · Cited by 25
“It connects with a previous literature on alexithymia (Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
More Than Words Can Say: A Multi-Disciplinary Consideration of the Psychotherapeutic Evaluation and Treatment of Alexithymia
Duquette, P. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00433 · Cited by 31
A Torontói Alexitímia Skála (TAS-20) magyar változata: megbízhatósága és faktorvaliditása egyetemista mintán
Cserjési, R., Luminet, O., & Lénárd, L. (2007) · Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle · doi:10.1556/mpszle.62.2007.3.4 · Cited by 24
A Psychodynamic Perspective on Treatment of Patients with Conversion and Other Somatoform Disorders
Kaplan, M. (2014) · Psychodynamic Psychiatry · doi:10.1521/pdps.2014.42.4.593 · Cited by 24
The implication of alexithymia in personality disorders: a systematic review
Chaim, C. H., Almeida, T. M., Albertin, P. D. V., Santana, G. L., Siu, E. R., & Andrade, L. H. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06083-6 · Cited by 29
“Introduced by Sifneos and Nemiah, the construct of alexithymia refers to a reduced capacity to identify and express emotions, difficulty differentiating between emotional states and physiological sensations, and a concrete, externally oriented cognitive style [1, 2].”
Background
The prevalence of alexithymia in psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Tang, F.-Y., Xiong, Q., Gan, T., Yuan, L., Liao, Q., & Yu, Y.-F. (2022) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111017 · Cited by 26
Alexithymia and weight loss in obese patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Paone, E., Pierro, L., D'Amico, A., Aceto, P., Campanile, F., Silecchia, G., & Lai, C. (2019) · Eating and Weight Disorders · doi:10.1007/s40519-017-0381-1 · Cited by 22
Evaluation of a Dutch school-based depression prevention program for youths in highrisk neighborhoods: study protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled trial
Kindt, K. C. M., Zundert, R. M. P. V., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2012) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-212 · Cited by 22
When a Patient Has No Story To Tell: Alexithymia
Muller, R. J. (2000) · Cited by 25
Cortical Thickness Alterations in Chronic Pain Disorder: An Exploratory MRI Study
Magon, S., Sprenger, T., Otti, A., Papadopoulou, A., Gündel, H., & Noll‐Hussong, M. (2018) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000605 · Cited by 21
Creative Artistic Achievement Is Related to Lower Levels of Alexithymia
Lennartsson, A.-K., Horwitz, E. B., Theorell, T., & Ullén, F. (2017) · Creativity Research Journal · doi:10.1080/10400419.2017.1263507 · Cited by 21
“The term alexithymia was coined by Sifneos (Sifneos, 1973, 1996) and has been further developed by several authors (Nemiah, 1996).”
Background
Building the alliance and using experiential techniques in the early phases of psychotherapy for avoidant personality disorder
Centonze, A., Popolo, R., MacBeth, A. M., & Dimaggio, G. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.23143 · Cited by 20
Assessing alexithymia in French-speaking samples: psychometric properties of the Observer Alexithymia Scale-French translation
Berthoz, S., Haviland, M. G., Riggs, M. L., Perdereau, F., & Bungener, C. (2005) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2004.10.001 · Cited by 19
Alexithymia and anesthetic bladder capacity in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Chiu, C.-D., Lee, M.-H., Chen, W.-C., Ho, H. L., & Wu, H.-C. (2017) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.06.019 · Cited by 19
Widening the reach of family-based interventions for Anorexia Nervosa: autism-adaptations for children and adolescents
Loomes, R., & Bryant‐Waugh, R. (2021) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-021-00511-8 · Cited by 24
“This is sometimes referred to in the literature as alexithymia [59].”
Background
Alexithymia and 7.5-year incidence of compensated low back pain in 1207 urban public transit operators
Mehling, W. E., & Krause, N. (2007) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.03.002 · Cited by 19
“(-thymia), is a construct introduced in 1973 by Sifneos [26] and stands for unawareness of emotions.”
Background
Emotional Competence and Health in Children
Rieffe, C. J., Terwogt, M. M., & Jellesma, F. C. (2007) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-29986-0_12 · Cited by 18
“The inability to identify one’s own emotions is put forward by some clinicians as the most prominent characteristic of people with psychosomatic complaints (Sifneos, 1996).”
Background
Deliberate Self-harm Behaviour in Swedish Adolescent Girls Reports from Public Assessment and Treatment Agencies
Holmqvist, R., Carlberg, M., & Hellgren, L. (2007) · Child & Youth Care Forum · doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9044-0 · Cited by 18
The Cerebellum as an Embodying Machine
Petrosini, L., Picerni, E., Termine, A., Fabrizio, C., Laricchiuta, D., & Cutuli, D. (2022) · The Neuroscientist · doi:10.1177/10738584221120187 · Cited by 20
“…sensations without achieving symbolic representation of emotion, in support of the suggestion of a higher occurrence of alexithymic symptoms in clinical disorders based on misinterpretation of emotion-related visceral changes, such as somatization disorders (Sifneos 1996; Taylor and Bagby 2004).”
Background
Somatic complaints, emotional awareness and maladjustment in schoolchildren
Ordóñez, A., Maganto, C., & González, R. (2015) · Anales de Pediatría (English Edition) · doi:10.1016/j.anpede.2015.04.004 · Cited by 17
“The association between emotional functioning and SCs2,15,16 suggests that alexithymia, a limited ability to identify and express emotions, is the main characteristic of individuals with SCs.17,18 There is evidence of this association in the paediatric population,13,19 as it has been observed that an inability to diff…”
BackgroundInfluential
Alexithymie et pensée opératoire : Approche comparative clinique projective franco-américaine
de Tychey, C. (2010) · Psychologie clinique et projective · doi:10.3917/pcp.016.0177 · Cited by 17
The Psychological Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Pain: a Review of BHI 2 Clinical and Forensic Interpretive Considerations
Bruns, D. L., & Disorbio, J. M. (2014) · Psychological Injury and Law · doi:10.1007/s12207-014-9206-y · Cited by 17
“meaning “without words for feelings” (Sifneos 1996).”
Background
Personality traits influencing somatization symptoms and social inhibition in the elderly
Wongpakaran, T., & Wongpakaran, N. (2014) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/cia.s56246 · Cited by 17
Alexithymia is associated with a low self-estimatedaffective intensity
Jacob, S., & Hautekeete, M. L. (1999) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(98)00232-3 · Cited by 16
Alexithymia and Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study
Gritti, P., Lombardi, S., Nobile, B., P., T., Gambardella, A., CAPRIO, E. L. D., & Resicato, G. (2010) · Tumori Journal · doi:10.1177/030089161009600121 · Cited by 15
Emotion Recognition, Emotion Awareness, Metacognition, and Social Functioning in Persons with Schizophrenia
Kolavarambath, R., Sudhir, P. M., Prathyusha, P. V., & Thirthalli, J. (2020) · Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine · doi:10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_149_19 · Cited by 16
“Sifneos (1996) introduced the term “alexithymia,” now a widely studied phenomenon, to describe individuals with low levels of emotion awareness.”
Background
L' « Ouverture émotionnelle » dans les Troubles de la dépendance et les Troubles de la personnalité
Reicherts, M., Casellini, D., Duc, F., & Genoud, P. A. (2006) · Annales Médico-psychologiques revue psychiatrique · doi:10.1016/j.amp.2006.01.023 · Cited by 16
Quejas somáticas, conciencia emocional e inadaptación en población escolar
Ordóñez, A., Maganto, C., & González, R. (2014) · Anales de Pediatría · doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2014.03.020 · Cited by 15
New Onset of Diabetes Mellitus With Ziprasidone
Sánchez-Barranco, P. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry · doi:10.4088/jcp.v66n0217d · Cited by 15
Cognitive and Affective Dimensions of Difficulties in Emotional Functioning in Somatoform Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder
van Dijke, A., van der Hart, O., van Son, M. J. M., Bühring, M. E. F., van der Heijden, P. G. M., & Ford, J. D. (2012) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000338832 · Cited by 14
Distinguishing alexithymia and emotion differentiation conceptualizations through linguistic analysis
Edwards, E. R., Shivaji, S., Micek, A., & Wupperman, P. (2020) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2019.109801 · Cited by 15
Alexithymia, depression, anxiety and binge eating in obese women
Żak‐Gołąb, A., Tomalski, R., Bąk‐Sosnowska, M., Holecki, M. T., Kocełak, P., Olszanecka‐Glinianowicz, M., Chudek, J. T., & Zahorska‐Markiewicz, B. (2013) · Scientific Electronic library online (Sciences Carlos III Health Institute) · doi:10.4321/s0213-61632013000300001 · Cited by 21
Adult attachment and emotional awareness impairment: a multimethod assessment
Fantini‐Hauwel, C., Boudoukha, A. H., & Arciszewski, T. (2012) · Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology · doi:10.3402/snp.v2i0.10744 · Cited by 14
Inconspicuous Anomalies: Alexithymia and Ethical Relations to the Self
Greco, M. (2001) · Health An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health Illness and Medicine · doi:10.1177/136345930100500404 · Cited by 15
The influence of non-clinical eating-related psychopathology on the recognition of emotion from static faces and realistic social interactions
Wallis, D. J., Ridout, N., & Sharpe, E. E. (2018) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.01.004 · Cited by 14
Reliability and factorial validity of the Observer Alexithymia Scale—Chinese translation
Yao, S., Yi, J., Zhu, X., & Haviland, M. G. (2005) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2004.08.010 · Cited by 14
“In response to this potential limit, the TAS-20 authors and others (Haviland and Reise, 1996; Sifneos, 1996; Taylor et al., 1997; Lane et al., 1999) have recommended that TAS20 scores be evaluated in the context of other information, including clinical observations and reports from patients’ close friends or relatives.”
Background
Psychological Mindedness: A Neglected Developmental Line in Permissions to Think
Allen, J. R., Bennett, S., & Kearns, L. (2004) · Transactional Analysis Journal · doi:10.1177/036215370403400102 · Cited by 16
“In working with such individuals, some of whom have been called "alexythymic" (Sifneos 1996), it seems most useful to begin by helping them develop such foundational skills as the abilities to self-regulate, engage interpersonally, use gestural communication, use simple 6 words to delineate basic…”
Background
Just like fireworks in my brain – a Swedish interview study on experiences of emotions in female patients with eating disorders
Petersson, S., Gullbing, L., & Perseius, K. (2021) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-021-00371-2 · Cited by 14
“Alexithymia is defined as an inability to define or describe emotions (Greek: a = lack, lexis = word, thymos = emotions) [18].”
Background
The Concept of Alexithymia
Sasioglu, M., Gulol, C., & Tosun, A. (2013) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.5455/cap.20130531 · Cited by 15
‘Actual neurosis’ and psychosomatic medicine: The vicissitudes of an enigmatic concept
Hartocollis, P. (2002) · The International Journal of Psychoanalysis · doi:10.1516/bu1x-dxx8-60qb-kjg4 · Cited by 13
“According to Reiser (1968), a contributory factor in the creation of the physiological mechanisms responsible for the development of psychosomatic illness is an altered state of consciousness, an idea reminiscent of Joseph Breuer’s (1893–5) ‘hypnoid state’ as a condition favouring the development of hysteria in the ca…”
BackgroundInfluential
Alexithymia and Core Conflictual Relationship Themes: A Study in a Chronically Fatigued Primary Care Population
Vanheule, S., Vandenbergen, J., Desmet, M., Rosseel, Y., & Insleghers, R. (2007) · The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine · doi:10.2190/p474-62h5-2250-w343 · Cited by 13
“Chaotic interpersonal relationships have also been observed in alexithymic patients [5], as well as inadequate differentiation between self and other [2, 6].”
Background
The three-level model (3-LM) for observing patient transformations
Bernardi, R. (2018) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780429484032-1 · Cited by 12
The Capacity for Self-Observation in Psychotherapy
Falkenström, F. (2012) · DiVA (Linkoping University) · Cited by 12
Childhood maltreatment and aggressive behavior among college students: a serial mediation model of authenticity and alexithymia
Zhou, J., Wei, M., & Xie, Q. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1478127 · Cited by 12
“Alexithymia is a relatively stable personality construct, primarily characterized by dif ﬁ culties in identifying feelings, dif ﬁ culties in describing feelings, and an externally oriented style of thinking (39, 40).”
Background
Do Individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder Share Personality Traits with Substance-Dependent Individuals?
Giustiniani, J., Nicolier, M., Pascard, M., Masse, C., Vandel, P., Bennabi, D., Achab, S., Mauny, F., & Haffen, É. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19159536 · Cited by 13
Assessing Reliability and Validity of Farsi Version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 in a Sample of Opioid Substance Use Disordered Patients
Pourhosein, R., Rostami, R., Beshārat, M. A., & Mirzamani, M. (2006) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cited by 11
Asthma as a Psychosomatic Disorder: The Causes, Scale of the Problem, and the Association with Alexithymia and Disease Control
Moes-Wójtowicz, A., Wójtowicz, P., Postek, M., & Domagala-Kulawik, J. J. (2011) · Advances in respiratory medicine · doi:10.5603/arm.27612 · Cited by 11
“According to the simplest definition, alexithymia is the inability to understand and identify emotions and to describe emotions with words and express them [9].”
Background
Inferential Emotion Tracking reveals impaired context-based emotion processing in individuals with high Autism Quotient scores
Ortega, J., Chen, Z., & Whitney, D. C. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-35371-6 · Cited by 12
More than labels: neural representations of emotion words are widely distributed across the brain
Lee, K. M., & Satpute, A. B. (2024) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsae043 · Cited by 13
“This trait has been most commonly referred to as alexithymia (Sifneos 1996), albeit it has also been linked to the closely related constructs of affective agnosia (Lane et al. 2020) and emotion granularity (Tugade et al. 2004; for a conceptual framework on emotion expertise, see Hoemann et al.…”
Background
Characterising alexithymia in individuals with functional motor disorders: a cross-sectional analysis of the Italian Registry of Functional Motor Disorders
Ostuzzi, G., Geroin, C., Gastaldon, C., Tedeschi, F., Clesi, F. M., Trevisan, G., Bidello, G., Vita, G., Marcuzzo, E., Sandri, A., et al. (2025) · Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp-2024-334788 · Cited by 11
Alexithymia Construct in Dialysis Patients
Pop-Jordanova, N. D., & Polenakovic, M. H. (2015) · BANTAO Journal · doi:10.2478/bj-2014-0010 · Cited by 10
Sifneos alexithymia questionnaire in assessment of general alexithymia in patients with breast disease and breast cancer: a prospective case-control study in Finland.
Eskelinen, M. J., & Ollonen, P. (2011) · PubMed · Cited by 10
The Psychometric Properties of the French Version of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Child Short Form
Stassart, C., Étienne, A.-M., Luminet, O., Kaïdi, I., & Lahaye, M. (2017) · Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment · doi:10.1177/0734282917740499 · Cited by 11
Alexithymia, depression and serum lipids in suicide attempters.
Paplos, K. G., Havaki-Kontaxaki, B. J., Ferentinos, P. P., Dasopoulou, M., & Kontaxakis, V. P. (2012) · PubMed · Cited by 10
The Effect of Alexithymic Characteristics of Married Couples on Their Marital Adjustment
Epözdemir, H. (2012) · International Journal of Systemic Therapy · doi:10.1080/08975353.2012.679902 · Cited by 10
“The findings of this study have been supported by earlier studies that demonstrated the chaotic relationships of alexithymic people (Sifneos, 1996).”
Result
Ready to Listen: Why Welcome Matters
Mohrmann, M. E., & Shepherd, L. L. (2012) · Journal of Pain and Symptom Management · doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.09.004 · Cited by 10
Alexithymia in Severely Obese Patients Seeking Surgical Treatment
Maréchal, V., Loas, G., Legrand, A., & Corcos, M. (2009) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.105.3.935-944 · Cited by 9
“Alexithymia literally means “a lack of word for emotions” and describes a cluster of features implying difficulties in identifying and expressing feelings, an absence of fantasy, and a concrete externally oriented thinking style, and also difficulties differentiating between emotions and bodily sensations (Sifneos, 19…”
Background

Authors: Sifneos, P. E.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author: Peter E. Sifneos
Venue: American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published: 1996-07-01
Volume: 153
Issue: 7
Pages: 137-142
ISSN: 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
1535-7228
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.153.7.137
OpenAlex: W2417129686
Cited by: 426
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 18
FWCI: 2.46
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Medicine, History, and Philosophy
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
Keywords: alexithymia, emotional awareness
MeSH terms: Affective Symptoms, Combined Modality Therapy, Humans, Psychophysiologic Disorders, Psychotherapy, Psychotropic Drugs, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reproducibility of Results, History, 20th Century

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