UnableToLove
October 20th, 2013, 04:33 PM
So, I'm making this post today to discuss Alexithymia. I'm going to explain my struggle with Alexithymia, answer as many questions as I can, and hopefully help some of you out!
First things first, what is Alexithymia? The textbook definition of Alexithymia reads, "A personality construct characterized by the sub-clinical inability to identify and describe emotions in the self.The core characteristics of alexithymia are marked dysfunction in emotional awareness, social attachment, and interpersonal relating." The definition is fairly straight forward, however I will go into more, personal detail below.
As stated above, I will be explaining my struggle with Alexithymia. Before I was diagnosed with Alexithymia, I was always confused on why I felt the way I did. I never felt actual love or affection for anything. I never have and still haven't formed an emotional bond or relationship with my family, friends, pets, neighbors, etc. I'm also known to bottle all my emotions up, including stress, pain, anxiety, etc...And that is one thing I strongly recommend you all avoid. I've had 3 ulcers induced from stress, and those are never fun. I was signed into 4 medical hospitals this year alone for my threats and worry some thought I accidentally let slip out loud. And none of the "treatment" worked, I'm still just as emotionally dis attached as before. It wasn't until 2012 that I finally decided I had hurt enough people, and severed so many relationships due to everyone seeing me as "rude" or "Not caring/selfish". I mentioned it to the only person who I honestly trust, yet still feel no emotion for, my father. Long story short: He took me to a psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with Alexithymia.
FAQ:
Q.) How do I know if I suffer from Alexithymia?
A.) Much like other mental illness's, Alexithymia has it's symptoms like stated above. If you show any of these constantly or more than you're comfortable with, I strongly advise you to consult someone you trust.
Q.) How would someone come about telling family/friends about this?
A.) Honestly, there isn't a straight forward answer for this, and no answer is right or wrong. Everyone person is different in making his/her choices, some may even choose not to tell anyone and continue keep secrets. However you choose to do it, whether publicly or privately, I'm sure it's the best way for you.
Those are the top two questions I can deem fit for answering currently. If you have anymore, please feel free to leave them in the comments below, along with corrections to this post or advice to others :)
Sincerly,
Jordan
First things first, what is Alexithymia? The textbook definition of Alexithymia reads, "A personality construct characterized by the sub-clinical inability to identify and describe emotions in the self.The core characteristics of alexithymia are marked dysfunction in emotional awareness, social attachment, and interpersonal relating." The definition is fairly straight forward, however I will go into more, personal detail below.
As stated above, I will be explaining my struggle with Alexithymia. Before I was diagnosed with Alexithymia, I was always confused on why I felt the way I did. I never felt actual love or affection for anything. I never have and still haven't formed an emotional bond or relationship with my family, friends, pets, neighbors, etc. I'm also known to bottle all my emotions up, including stress, pain, anxiety, etc...And that is one thing I strongly recommend you all avoid. I've had 3 ulcers induced from stress, and those are never fun. I was signed into 4 medical hospitals this year alone for my threats and worry some thought I accidentally let slip out loud. And none of the "treatment" worked, I'm still just as emotionally dis attached as before. It wasn't until 2012 that I finally decided I had hurt enough people, and severed so many relationships due to everyone seeing me as "rude" or "Not caring/selfish". I mentioned it to the only person who I honestly trust, yet still feel no emotion for, my father. Long story short: He took me to a psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with Alexithymia.
FAQ:
Q.) How do I know if I suffer from Alexithymia?
A.) Much like other mental illness's, Alexithymia has it's symptoms like stated above. If you show any of these constantly or more than you're comfortable with, I strongly advise you to consult someone you trust.
Q.) How would someone come about telling family/friends about this?
A.) Honestly, there isn't a straight forward answer for this, and no answer is right or wrong. Everyone person is different in making his/her choices, some may even choose not to tell anyone and continue keep secrets. However you choose to do it, whether publicly or privately, I'm sure it's the best way for you.
Those are the top two questions I can deem fit for answering currently. If you have anymore, please feel free to leave them in the comments below, along with corrections to this post or advice to others :)
Sincerly,
Jordan