Dear Sundarapandian Vaidyanathan,

My favorite definition:  

Difficulty in recognizing and describing one's emotions, defining them instead in terms of somatic sensations or behavioral reactions.

[G. a- priv. + lexis, word, + -thymia, feelings, passion] Elaboration:

Quote from below attached reference: Clinical observations have led to the proposal that  alexithymia actually subsumes at least two subtypes (Larsen, Brand, Bermond, & Hijman, 2003; Moorman, Bermond, Albach, & van Dorp, 1997). So-called Type 1 alexithymia refers to the prototypic or classic alexithymic person who has little experience or display of emotion, minimal emotional awareness and verbalization, and a pronounced external orientation. Such people are emotionally neutral or bland, place little value on psychological processes, and relate to others in a rigid, machine-like fashion. In contrast, the so-called Type 2 alexithymic person experiences and expresses heightened levels of negative emotion but has difficulty identifying and labeling his or her own feelings and is confused, overwhelmed, feels numb, or acts out when aroused. If these subtypes are valid, then one might view Mr. A. as manifesting Type 1 alexithymia, whereas Ms. B. shows Type 2.

J Pers Assess. Dec 2007; 89(3): 230–246.

The Assessment of Alexithymia in Medical Settings: Implications for Understanding and Treating Health Problems

Mark A. Lumley, Lynn C. Neely, and Amanda J. Burger

Abstract. The construct of alexithymia encompasses the characteristics of difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, externally oriented thinking, and a limited imaginal capacity. These characteristics are thought to reflect deficits in the cognitive processing and regulation of emotions and to contribute to the onset or maintenance of several medical and psychiatric disorders. This article reviews recent methods for assessing alexithymia and examines how assessing alexithymia can inform clinical practice. Alexithymia is associated with heightened physiological arousal, the tendency to notice and report physical symptoms, and unhealthy compulsive behaviors. Alexithymic patients may respond poorly to psychological treatments, although perhaps not to cognitive-behavioral techniques, and it is unclear whether alexithymia can be improved through treatment. Interpretive problems regarding alexithymia include its overlap with other traits, whether it is secondary to illness or trauma, the possibility of subtypes, and low correlations among multiple measures.

Dear Sundarapandian Vaidyanathan,

My favorite definition:  

Difficulty in recognizing and describing one's emotions, defining them instead in terms of somatic sensations or behavioral reactions.

[G. a- priv. + lexis, word, + -thymia, feelings, passion] Elaboration:

Quote from below attached reference: Clinical observations have led to the proposal that  alexithymia actually subsumes at least two subtypes (Larsen, Brand, Bermond, & Hijman, 2003; Moorman, Bermond, Albach, & van Dorp, 1997). So-called Type 1 alexithymia refers to the prototypic or classic alexithymic person who has little experience or display of emotion, minimal emotional awareness and verbalization, and a pronounced external orientation. Such people are emotionally neutral or bland, place little value on psychological processes, and relate to others in a rigid, machine-like fashion. In contrast, the so-called Type 2 alexithymic person experiences and expresses heightened levels of negative emotion but has difficulty identifying and labeling his or her own feelings and is confused, overwhelmed, feels numb, or acts out when aroused. If these subtypes are valid, then one might view Mr. A. as manifesting Type 1 alexithymia, whereas Ms. B. shows Type 2.

J Pers Assess. Dec 2007; 89(3): 230–246.

The Assessment of Alexithymia in Medical Settings: Implications for Understanding and Treating Health Problems

Mark A. Lumley, Lynn C. Neely, and Amanda J. Burger

Abstract. The construct of alexithymia encompasses the characteristics of difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, externally oriented thinking, and a limited imaginal capacity. These characteristics are thought to reflect deficits in the cognitive processing and regulation of emotions and to contribute to the onset or maintenance of several medical and psychiatric disorders. This article reviews recent methods for assessing alexithymia and examines how assessing alexithymia can inform clinical practice. Alexithymia is associated with heightened physiological arousal, the tendency to notice and report physical symptoms, and unhealthy compulsive behaviors. Alexithymic patients may respond poorly to psychological treatments, although perhaps not to cognitive-behavioral techniques, and it is unclear whether alexithymia can be improved through treatment. Interpretive problems regarding alexithymia include its overlap with other traits, whether it is secondary to illness or trauma, the possibility of subtypes, and low correlations among multiple measures.

Have a look at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexithymia

What is Alexithymia? Alexithymia is a personality characteristic in which the individual is unable to identify and describe their emotions. The main feature of Alexithymia is an emotional unawareness, lack of social attachment, and poor interpersonal relating. Furthermore, those suffering from Alexithymia have difficulty recognizing and understanding the emotions of others.

Alexithymia means there is:

1.Difficulty identifying feelings and distinguishing between feelings and the bodily sensations.

2.Difficulty describing feelings to other people.

3.Limited imagination and, therefore, little or no fantasies and limited dreams.

4.An unawareness of what is happening in their own mind and a very concrete way of thinking.

See the report at the link:

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=48964

Dear Sundarapandian,

I am in agreement with Abedalla. However, his description sounds like what a "man" is supposed to be. Meaning, the social construction of manhood is a person who is taking Abedallah's list ;

#1 Emotionless, hence does have trouble differentiating emotions from body sensations. 

#2 Stoic, has trouble describing feelings and in-fact has trouble even admitting to and discussing emotions let alone his emotions. The book men from Mars women from Venus description

#3 Practical, limited imagination, few dreams or fantasies but is a person who puts the nose to the grind stone. Has no use for learning them abstract ideas, philosophies, or art. Demands to know only what is useful in his life and cannot envision another life.

#4 Reason drives his thinking or cements one's thinking. Passions and emotionality have no use for him. The world is black and white for him. No room for questioning moral or ethical ambiguities just right and wrong. 

#4 Provider, Providing safety, food, clothes, shelter, money, and sperm. Providing the leadership, discipline, and instilling values of hard work and dedication to his children.  

Above is what I was taught a man was, he would kick you in the ass when needed but would not praise, said phrases such as "as long as you are living under my roof you will do as I say, or do as I say boy not as I do. 

Hence the question; Do all "real men" suffer from Alexithymia?

Douglas 

Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing feelings and an externally oriented thinking style. A high rate of alexithymia is reported among patients with psychiatric and psychosomatic disorders. Kindly see the following RG links and PDF attachment for more details.

Article Alexithymia - State or Trait?

Article Cognitive and emotional characteristics of Alexithymia

Article Are there subtypes of alexithymia?

Article Alexithymia in Neurological Disease: A Review

Article Alexithymia as a Transdiagnostic Precursor to Empathy Abnorm...

Chapter Alexithymia, embodiment of emotions and interoceptive abilities