What Do We Need to Know About Alexithymia?

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Many autistic people find it difficult to identify or describe their emotions. This is a common experience known as alexithymia. This article explains what it is and shares some supportive strategies. 

What is it? 

Alexithymia is not a lack of emotion; rather, it is a difficulty in understanding and expressing them.  

People with alexithymia often struggle to identify what they are feeling in the moment and find it hard to explain those feelings to others. 

An autistic person might experience this as: 

• Finding it hard to distinguish between different feelings, such as sadness, anger, or happiness. 

• Appearing distant or "emotionally flat" to others. This is not because you aren't feeling anything, but because you are struggling to communicate that internal state. 

• Tending to focus on facts, details, and logical explanations rather than discussing internal feelings or emotional experiences. 

• Differences in interoception—the ability to feel what is happening inside your body (like hunger, thirst, or a racing heart). 

Why is it Challenging? 

The inability to identify or express emotions can lead to misunderstandings in personal relationships, as emotional communication is often a key part of social interaction. It can also result in increased stress or mental health challenges, as it becomes difficult to process and "unpick" feelings effectively. 

Strategies to Help 

Everyone is different, but here are some strategies that might help an autistic person manage alexithymia: 

• Explicit Modelling: If you are a parent or carer, talk out loud about how you are feeling and why—label the emotion clearly. 

• Use Creative Outlets: Creative therapies like art, music, or movement offer alternative ways to explore and express emotions without relying on finding the "right" words. 

• Journalling: Writing about daily experiences and any physical sensations you notice can help you start to identify patterns in your feelings. 

• Mindfulness and Relaxation: These techniques can help reduce general stress, which can improve your capacity to check in with yourself. 

• Psychological Support: Specific therapies that help you recognise and understand emotional signals can be very effective. 

This article was adapted from 22q Minded resources.