Alexithymia isn’t a medical diagnosis in itself — it’s a term used to describe difficulty identifying and expressing emotions.
The word comes from Greek: a (lack), lexis (words), and thymos (emotions) — literally “no words for emotions.”

What Alexithymia Is

• It’s not the absence of emotions — people with alexithymia do experience feelings, but they may struggle to recognise or put them into words.

• It can be a standalone trait, or it can occur alongside other conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression, or PTSD.

• It’s thought to be linked to differences in brain processing related to emotional awareness.

Common Traits

People with alexithymia may:

• Find it hard to identify their own emotions beyond “good” or “bad.”

• Struggle to describe how they feel to others.

• Confuse physical sensations (e.g., a racing heart) with emotions, or vice versa.

• Have difficulty recognising emotions in others.

• Prefer logical, factual discussions over emotional conversations.

Strengths Often Linked to Alexithymia

• Clear, logical thinking – less influenced by emotion in decision-making.

• Calm under pressure – not reacting impulsively to emotional triggers.

• Direct communication style – focusing on facts rather than feelings.

Challenges and Barriers

• Misunderstandings in relationships due to perceived “emotional distance.”

• Difficulty seeking emotional support when needed.

• Challenges in conflict resolution if feelings are not expressed clearly.

• Being misunderstood as “cold” or “uncaring” when that’s not the case.

Support Strategies

• Use emotion prompts – visual aids, emotion wheels, or checklists can help identify feelings.

• Focus on bodily cues – noticing heart rate, breathing, or muscle tension as emotional indicators.

• Encourage factual and practical support – rather than expecting emotional language.

• Avoid assumptions – don’t mistake a lack of verbal emotional expression for a lack of caring.

In short: Alexithymia is about how emotions are processed and expressed, not whether they exist. With awareness and supportive communication, people with alexithymia can build strong, trusting relationships and succeed in many areas of life.