Research in the last decades has shown that individuals with high degrees in the personality trait of alexithymia not only have difficulties in identifying and recognizing own feelings, but also show deficits in reading emotions from facial expressions of other people. Therefore, the current dissertation investigates the neural correlates of recognizing emotional facial expressions as a function of alexithymia. Initially, a theoretical introduction is given and existing findings from behavioral as well as structural and functional neuroimaging research are presented. Open questions are identified and addressed in one structural and two functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that were compiled into three original research articles. Study 1 examined the gray matter profile of high and low alexithymic individuals in selected brain regions relevant for processing emotional faces. In Study 2, functional neuroimaging was used to investigate the neural correlates of high alexithymic individuals\' difficulties in labeling briefly presented (≤ 100 ms) facial expressions of emotion. Study 3 investigated neural activations as a function of alexithymia during the labeling of emotional facial expressions when these are presented with little temporal constraints (≥ 1 s). The results of these studies are summarized and integrated with the existing literature. Finally, open issues are discussed and ideas for further research are outlined.

The present study examines the relationship of emotional awareness to anticipatory psychophysiological markers and performance on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The IGT is a computerized card game that simulates real-life decisions through uncertainty of reward or punishment. The participant’s goal is to make advantageous card choices. Anticipatory somatic markers of physiological arousal, like electrodermal activity and heart rate, have been proposed to bias decisions in the IGT. The central hypothesis is that a participant’s emotional awareness is related to their ability to make advantageous decisions through biasing psychophysiological responses. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale was used to assess each participant’s emotional awareness. Less emotional awareness was associated with enhanced performance on the IGT. However, anticipatory physiological arousal (electrodermal activity and heart rate) and emotional awareness yielded no significant relationships. Findings suggest a need for further research on cognitive models, such as the expectancy valence model, in relation to decision-making.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed May 25, 2010). Directed by Craig Cashwell; submitted to the Dept. of Counseling and Educational Development. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-163, 228-230).

Alexithymia represents a deficit in identifying and expressing emotions, paucity of fantasies, and an externally oriented cognitive style. Currently, numerous studies document that alexithymia and several mental and somatic disorders are significantly related. Several findings also indicate that this association might be caused by alexithymia related dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune functions. Together these findings indicate that stressors related to alexithymia could underlie the process of neuroendocrine and immune dysregulation that likely may present a significant risk, sustaining and mediating pathogenesis of several disorders and particulary psychosomatic illnesses. In this context, it is also known that several proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in pain generation and that alexithymia is significantly associated with pain symptoms in several pain disorders. Following these findings this study includes several new data developing current state of the art and showing some alexithymia specific changes in patients with neurological disorders. Main finding of this study shows that alexithymia and anxiety in their specific interactions are linked to increased levels of interleukine-8 (IL-8) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the group of patients with non-inflammatory neurological...

The concept of alexithymia refers to impairments in the ability to identify and communicate feelings. Alexithymia has repeatedly been linked to attachment impairments and different types of symptomatology, in particular, depression and somatic complaints. Very few studies have focused on children or adolescents when addressing this construct. Additionally, to date, there is no self-report questionnaire of alexithymia for such groups in the Spanish language. The main objectives of this study were therefore, (a) to translate and adapt the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children to Spanish; (b) to assess the factor structure of the adapted questionnaire; and (c) to describe its reliability and validity, in a sample of N = 265 Peruvian adolescents aged 11-18 years. Internal consistency was acceptable for the DIF subscale ( α = .74), and low for the DDF and EOT subscales ( α = .55, and α = .47 respectively). A composite scale based on previous studies that merges DIF and DDF into one scale had an α = .75. Regarding the factor structure, a two–factor solution showed to have the best fit with the data (RMSEA = .05, SMRM = .04, CFI = .94). Convergent validity analyses indicated significant associations between alexithymia and attachment measurements (that ranged from r = - .15, p < .05, to r = .31, p < .05), somatic complaints (r = .38, p < .05, to r = .41, p < .05), and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms (r = .37, p < .05, to r = .46, p < .05). Future assessment and modifications are recommended for the EOT scale. / El concepto de alexitimia se refiere a las deficiencias en la capacidad de identificar y comu­ nicar sentimientos. Este constructo ha sido relacionado con deficiencias en apego y con dife­ rentes tipos de sintomatología, en particular, con depresión y quejas somáticas. Muy pocos estudios sobre alexitimia se han enfocado en niños o adolescentes. Además, hasta la fecha, no existe ningún cuestionario de auto-reporte de alexitimia para tales grupos en español. Por lo tanto, los principales objetivos de este estudio fueron, (a) traducir y adaptar el Cuestio­ nario de Alexitimia para Niños al español; (b) evaluar la estructura factorial del cuestionario adaptado; y (c) describir su confiabilidad y validez, en una muestra de n = 265 adolescentes peruanos de 11-18 años de edad. La consistencia interna fue aceptable para la subescala DIF ( α = .74), y baja para las subescalas DDF y EOT ( α = .55 y α = .47, respectivamente). Una escala compuesta basada en estudios previos que fusiona las subescalas DIF y DDF en una sola escala tuvo un α = .75. En cuanto a la estructura factorial, una solución de dos factores demostró tener el mejor ajuste con la data (RMSEA = .05, SMRM = .04, CFI = .94). Los análisis de validez convergente indicaron asociaciones significativas entre alexitimia y apego (con coeficientes desde r = -.15, p <.05, hasta r = .31, p <.05), quejas somáticas (r = .38, p <.05, hasta r = .41, p <.05), y síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes (r = .37, p <.05, hasta r =. 46, p <.05). Se recomienda la evaluación y/o modificación de la escala EOT. / O conceito de alexitimia se refere às deficiências na habilidade de identificar e comunicar sentimentos. A alexitimia tem sido frequentemente associada à deficiências de apego e dife­ rentes tipos de sintomatologia, em particular à depressão e queixas somáticas. Pouquíssimos estudos dão enfoque à crianças ou adolescentes ao tratar desse conceito. Além disso, até o momento não há questionários de autorrelato em espanhol sobre alexitimia para tais grupos. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi, portanto, (a) traduzir e adaptar o “Alexythymia Ques­ tionnaire for Children” para o espanhol; (b) avaliar a estrutura de fatores do questionário adaptado; e (c) descrever sua confiabilidade e validade numa amostra de N=265 adolescentes peruanos de 11 a 18 anos de idade. A consistência interna mostrou-se aceitável para a subscala DIF ( α = .74), e baixa nas subscalas DDF e EOT ( α = .55, e α = .47 respectivamente). Uma­ escala composta, baseada em estudos anteriores, combina DIF e DDF numa única escala e apresentou α = .75. Em termos da estrutura de fatores, uma solução de dois fatores foi a que            melhor se ajustou aos dados (RMSEA ==.05, SMRM = .04, CFI = .94). Análises de validade convergentes indicaram associações significantes entre alexitimia e medidas de apego (as quais variaram de r = -.15, p < .05, a r = .31, p < .05), queixas somáticas (r = .38, p < .05, a r = . 41, p < .05), e sintomas internalizantes e externalizantes (r = .37, p < .05, to r = . 46, p < .05). Avaliações futuras e modificações são recomendadas para a escala EOT.

Orientador: Francisco B. Assumpção Junior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T17:48:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Grael_PaulaMaria_M.pdf: 2126443 bytes, checksum: 471c4789b6e83a5a65d25a5354ad4e60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Em 1943, Leo Kanner propôs a teoria psicogênica na qual enunciou a possibilidade da relação parental pouca afetiva ser fator causal do autismo do filho. Sendo assim, devido à escassez de estudos envolvendo paternidade e autismo, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os traços de personalidade em genitores masculinos com filho portador de Transtorno Autista (TA). Foram estudados 90 genitores (30 com filhos portadores de TA de baixo funcionamento, 30 com filhos portadores de síndrome de Down e 30 com filhos assintomáticos). Os critérios de inclusão dos genitores foram: brasileiro, de 25 a 60 anos, ciclo Um do Ensino Fundamental, residir no Estado de São Paulo com a genitora em união estável e com o filho entre 7 e 11 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Questionário socioeconômico de Pelotas, versão em português da Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) e o Inventário Fatorial de Personalidade (IFP). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise descritiva e comparativa por teste estatístico (Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis e Qui-Quadrado) e correlacionados por meio do coeficiente de Spearman. Na amostra pesquisada foi constatado que a média do escore total obtido da TAS e dos 15 fatores do IFP em cada grupo de genitores, não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. A predominância (N=90) foi de genitores não alexitímicos. A correlação entre os fatores da TAS e do IFP e o percentual da classificação do IFP foram também discutidos. Concluiu-se que o grupo de genitores masculinos com filho portador de transtorno autista não apresentou características específicas que poderiam estar associadas ao desenvolvimento do autismo, como as descritas por Kanner / Abstract: In 1943, Leo Kanner proposed the psychogenic theory in which he enunciated the possibility of the non-affective parental relationship as causal factor¿s of the son Autism. In so being, due to the shortage of studies involving fatherhood and Autism, this research aims to evaluate the personality traits in fathers of boys with Autism. There have been studied 90 fathers (30 with of boys with low-functioning Autistic Disorder (AD), 30 of boys with the Down Syndrome and 30 of asymptomatic boys). The inclusion criteria of the fathers were: Brazilian, aged from 25 to 60 years, Elementary School, resided in Sao Paulo State in a stable relationship with the mother and their son aged from seven to eleven years. The instruments used were: Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Pelotas Socioeconomic Questionnaire, Portuguese version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and the Personality Factorial Inventory (IFP). The data obtained were submitted to analyses descriptive and comparative by statistics test (Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi square) and correlate by means of the Spearman coefficient. In the researched population it was found that the average of the total score obtained of TAS and of the 15 factors of IFP in each group of genitors did not show significant statistics difference. The predominance (N=90) was of non-alexithymic fathers. The correlation between the factors of TAS and IFP and the percentage of the classification of the IFP were also discussed. It was concluded that the group of fathers of boys with Autistic Disorder did not present specific characteristics which could be associated to the development of Autism as described by Kanner / Mestrado / Saude Mental / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

Cette étude démontre que l’alexithymie primaire nous oriente vers la présence de troubles schizophréniques. Comme hypothèse, nous formulons que : «l’alexithymie est un trait de personnalité dans la schizophrénie responsable de la toxicomanie et du recours aux traitements méthadone. La méthadone est une suppléance dans la psychose». L’intérêt de cette recherche est double : sur le plan clinique, elle souligne l’importance du repérage des troubles émotionnels et de la personnalité en addictologie. Elle précise que la TAS-20 et MMPI-2 sont des outils d’aide au diagnostic de la schizophrénie ; sur le plan thérapeutique, le repérage de ces affections permettra de traiter simultanément les comorbidités associées et de guider la prise en charge. L’approche de la schizophrénie à partir du concept d’alexithymie nous inscrits dans une approche intégrative(neuropsychatrique et psychodynamique). Dans un premier volet, nous avons réalisé une étude longitudinale avec suivi de 6 mois chez des toxicomanes sous TSO, admis au CSAPA de Montpellier. Le groupe contrôle est composé 28 toxicomanes sans trouble avéré. Six mois après, 15 usagers ont mené l’étude à son terme (âge=35ans ; ET=6,43). 11 toxicomanes atteints de troubles(âge= 39 ans ; ET= 6,9) constituent le groupe expérimental. La procédure consistait à diagnostiquer les troubles de la personnalité dans le groupe contrôle ; à évaluer la dépendance aux drogues et le niveau d’alexithymie au sein des groupes. Nous avons eu recours à : le MMPI-2 pour le diagnostic des troubles ; la DAST-20 pour le repérage de la dépendance (DSM-IV) et la TAS-20 pour la mesure de l’alexithymie. La TAS-20 a été administrée pendant le traitement et six mois après. Les résultats au MMPI-2 décrivent une prévalence de troubles schizophréniques 33% et de protocoles invalides 20%. La DAST-20 présente un faible niveau de dépendance dans le groupe contrôle 1.93 et expérimental 1.49. Dans le groupe contrôle, les scores d’alexithymie et ses sous-dimensions augmentent six mois après le traitement. L’alexithymie est un trait (z=.21 ; p=.834) et un état de la personnalité (r=.621*; p=.013). Dans le groupe expérimental, la TAS-TOT confirme une diminution des scores, mais l’analyse des sous-dimensions admet que cette baisse est non significative. L’alexithymie est un trait de la personnalité (z=.4 ; p=.689).Des hauts scores d’alexithymie sont observés chez les toxicomanes diagnostiqués schizophrènes des deux groupes. L’alexithymie est un trait (z=1.21 ; p=.225) et un état (r=.90* ; p=.015) de la personnalité chez les schizophrènes du groupe contrôle. En ce qui concerne les schizophrènes du groupe expérimental, la diminution des scores TASTOT 63% et 57% invalide sa dimension primaire. Dans le second volet, l’analyse du discours a permis de déceler des unités signifiantes spécifiques à l’alexithymie et à la psychose. La méthodologie est centrée sur des cas cliniques. Des entretiens semi-directifs avec pour support un guide d’entretien ont été réalisés chez des toxicomanes sans trouble de la personnalité (groupe contrôle). Ils ont été retranscrits sur papier selon la méthode analytique. Nous avons recours aux paradigmes psychanalytique, phénoménologique et psychosomatique. La description narrative s’est élaborée sur quatre temps : le contexte anamnestique, l’expression des sentiments, l’entrée dans la toxicomanie et au Programme Méthadone. L’analyse des récits atteste un ensemble de signes cliniques qui résultent de la non extraction de l’objet a, prototype de la psychose. L’alexithymie se traduit sur le plan clinique par relation la blanche. En définitive, les résultats de l’analyse mixte admettent que l’alexithymie est présente dans la toxicomanie et dans la schizophrénie. Chez le toxicomane, le score élevé d’alexithymie est un indice diagnostic de schizophrénie, indépendamment de sa nature primaire ou secondaire.Mots clés: schizophrénie-alexithymie-toxicomanie-méthadone-buprénorphine-suppléance. / As hypothesis, we propose that alexithymie is a personality trait of schizophrenia responsible of the drug addiction and the use of methadone treatment. Methadone is an antipsychotic. Clinically, this study stresses the importance of the diagnosis of emotional disorders and personality. It demonstrates that TAS-20 and MMPI-2 are disposal tools for diagnosis of schizophrenia. Therapeutically, the importance of diagnosis is to treat comorbidities and to orientate the care. The approach of schizophrenia from the concept of alexithymia enrolled us in an integrative approach, which takes into consideration the neuropsychiatric and psychodynamic concepts.In the first part, we conducted a longitudinal study with follow-up 6 months with drug addict on methadone or buprenorphine, admitted to CSAPA-UTTD Montpellier. The control group includes 28 addicts out without disorder. Six months later, 15 users conducted the study to completion (age = 35 years, SD = 6.43). 11 addicts with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety (age = 39 years, SD = 6.9) constitute the experimental group. The procedure was to diagnose personality disorders in the control group; to evaluate drug dependence and the level of alexithymia in the groups. We used : the MMPI-2 for the diagnosis of personality disorders; DAST-20 for evaluate dependence according to DSM-IV and the TAS-20 to measure alexithymia. The TAS-20 was administered during treatment and six months after. The results MMPI-2 describe a prevalence of schizophrenic 33% and 20% invalid protocols. The DAST-20 has a low level of dependence in the control group and 1.93 1.49 experimental. In the control group, the scores of alexithymia and its sub-dimensions increase six months after treatment TAS-TOT 52.88% and 55.2%; DIF 19.54 et19.9; DDF 14.87% and 15.57%; EOT 18.47% and 19.73%. Alexithymia is a trait (z = .21, p = .834) and a state of personality (r = .621 *; p = .013). In the experimental group, the TAS-TOT confirms lower scores, but the analysis of sub-dimensions admits that this decrease is not significant TAS-TOT 56% and 54.36%; DDF 17% and 16.36%; DIF 18.45% and 18.18%; EOT 20.55% and 19.82%. Alexithymia is a personality trait (z = .4, p = .689). High alexithymia scores were observed among addicts diagnosed with schizophrenia in both groups. In the TAS-TOT control group 59% and 65.2%; DIF 19.53% and 19.9%; DDF 14.87% and 15.57%; EOT 18.47% and 19.73%. In the10experimental group TAS-TOT 63% and 57%; DIF 21% and 18%; DDF 24% and 21%; EOT 18% and 18%. Alexithymia is a trait (z = 1.21, p = .225) and a state (r = .90 * P = .015) personality in schizophrenics control group. Regarding schizophrenia in the experimental group, lower TASTOT scores 63% and 57% alexithymia is a state.In the second part, discourse analysis detected specific signifying units of alexithymia and psychosis. The methodology focuses on clinical cases. We use semi-structured interview with addicts without personality disorder. They were transcribed on paper according to the analytical method. We use psychoanalytic paradigms, phenomenological and psychosomatic. The narrative description shall include four stages: the anamnesis, the expression of feelings, entry into drug addiction and Methadone Program. The analysis of stories attests a set of clinical signs resulting from the non-extraction of the object, prototype of psychosis. Alexithymia translates clinically by white relationship.Ultimately, the results of the joint analysis recognize that alexithymia is present in drug addiction and schizophrenia. Among drug users, high alexithymia scores are diagnoses of schizophrenia indications, regardless of primary or secondary in nature. Alexithymia is a polydrug factor.Keywords : schizophrenia-alexithymia-drug addiction-methadone-buprenorphine-

Reduced eye fixation and deficits in emotion identification accuracy have been commonly reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (AS), but are not ubiquitous. There is growing evidence that emotion processing deficits may be better accounted for by comorbid alexithymia (i.e., difficulty understanding and describing one's emotional state), rather than AS symptoms per se. Another possible explanation is anxiety, which is often comorbid with AS; emotion processing difficulties, including attentional biases, have also been observed in anxiety disorders, suggesting that anxiety symptoms may also influence emotion processing within AS. The purpose of the current study was to test the role of dimensional symptoms of autism, anxious apprehension (AA), and alexithymia in mediating eye fixation across two different facial processing tasks with three adult samples: adults diagnosed with autism (AS; n = 30), adults with clinically-elevated anxiety without autism (HI-ANX; n = 29), and neurotypical adults without high anxiety (NT; n = 46). Experiment 1 involved participants completing an emotion identification task involving short video clips. Experiment 2 was a luminescence change detection task with an emotional-expression photo paired with a neutral-expression photo. Joy, anger, and fear video and photo stimuli were used. Dimensional, mixed-effects models showed that symptoms of autism, but not alexithymia, predicted lower eye fixation across two separate face processing tasks. There were no group differences or significant dimensional effects for accuracy. Anxious apprehension was negatively related to response time in Experiment 1 and positively related to eye fixation in Experiment 2. An attentional avoidance of negative emotions was observed in the NT and HI-ANX group, but not the AS group. The bias was most pronounced at lower levels of AS symptoms and higher levels of AA symptoms. The results provide some evidence for a possible anxiety-related subtype in AS, with participants endorsing high autism symptoms, but low anxious apprehension, demonstrating more classic emotion processing deficits of reduced eye fixation.

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht Zusammenhänge zwischen verschiedenen Vulnerabilitätsfaktoren der Depression und deren Einflüsse auf den Krankheitsverlauf bei stationär behandelten, depressiven Patienten.

Alexithymia represents a deficit in identifying and expressing emotions, paucity of fantasies, and an externally oriented cognitive style. Currently, numerous studies document that alexithymia and several mental and somatic disorders are significantly related. Several findings also indicate that this association might be caused by alexithymia related dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune functions. Together these findings indicate that stressors related to alexithymia could underlie the process of neuroendocrine and immune dysregulation that likely may present a significant risk, sustaining and mediating pathogenesis of several disorders and particulary psychosomatic illnesses. In this context, it is also known that several proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in pain generation and that alexithymia is significantly associated with pain symptoms in several pain disorders. Following these findings this study includes several new data developing current state of the art and showing some alexithymia specific changes in patients with neurological disorders. Main finding of this study shows that alexithymia and anxiety in their specific interactions are linked to increased levels of interleukine-8 (IL-8) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the group of patients with non-inflammatory neurological...