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Ramya K, Jagadeswaran D. Alexithymia, Suicidal Ideation, and Self-Esteem As Psychological Factors Affecting Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Under Haemodialysis: A Contextual Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e54383. [PMID: 38371441 PMCID: PMC10874471 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease is a universal topic gravitating towards various aspects of widespread illness, impacting the overall well-being of human beings. Patients with longstanding renal complaints under dialysis encounter challenges correlated with physical, intuitive, and socio-economic conditions to a greater extent in their daily existence. These portions may include changes in the appearance of a person, restricted physique movements, curbed diet, duration of surgical protocols, travelling time during the period of prevention, financial load, role reversal in the family followed by ruining their livelihood, deprived social rank, difficulty in relational, cordial relationships, and so on. Excluding these details, the sick may be profoundly influenced by sorrow, health anxiety, despair, itching, the impoverished essence of vitality, dysfunction in sexual intimacy, impaired cognition, disturbances in disposition, sleeping fluctuations, frequent panic attacks, delirium, brain-afflicted degeneration disabilities, etcetera. Our analysis focuses on exploring a few unidentified intrinsic factors that distinguish these views over combined elements due to the existing disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ramya
- Clinical Psychology, Saveetha College of Allied Health Sciences, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - D Jagadeswaran
- Renal Science and Dialysis Technology, Saveetha College of Allied Health Sciences, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
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Merlo EM, Tutino R, Myles LAM, Alibrandi A, Lia MC, Minasi D. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Psychopathology, Uncertainty and Alexithymia: A Clinical and Differential Exploratory Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:257. [PMID: 38275537 PMCID: PMC10815314 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) represents a complex pathology affecting a large number of people. Research suggests that psychological factors influence coping with T1DM. This study aimed to investigate the presence and role of psychopathology, alexithymia and uncertainty in people affected by T1DM. The sample consisted of 137 patients (88 females, 49 males) affected by T1DM aged from 11 to 19 years old (Mean: 13.87; SD: 2.40). The diagnostic protocol consisted of a sociodemographic questionnaire, Self-administration Psychiatric Scales for Children and Adolescents (SAFA), Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) and Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12). Descriptive, differential, correlational and regression analyses were performed in order to examine the relationships between these variables. The results suggested the sample had high levels of psychopathological indexes, alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty. Also, there were significant differences between TAS-20 and IUS-12 distributions with respect to psychopathology. Correlations and multivariate linear regressions indicated age, gender and education significantly predicted alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty. This data suggest the presence of elevated psychopathology, alexithymia and uncertainty in people with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Maria Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rita Tutino
- Pediatric Unit of Ospedali Riuniti Presidium, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (R.T.); (M.C.L.); (D.M.)
| | | | - Angela Alibrandi
- Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Maria Carmela Lia
- Pediatric Unit of Ospedali Riuniti Presidium, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (R.T.); (M.C.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenico Minasi
- Pediatric Unit of Ospedali Riuniti Presidium, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy; (R.T.); (M.C.L.); (D.M.)
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Qin N, Li J, Wu X, Zhang C, Luo Y, Dong X, Cao H, Wang S, Liu M, Xie J, Cheng AS. Effects of rational emotive behavior therapy on alexithymia, anxiety, depression and sleep quality of older people in nursing homes: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:280. [PMID: 37620805 PMCID: PMC10463404 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01449-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia, a subclinical cognitive-affective impairment, is prevalent in older people and increases the risk of mental disorders. There is a vast alexithymia treatment gap, with majority of older people in nursing homes lacking access to adequate mental health care. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on alexithymia, anxiety, depression and sleep quality of older people in nursing homes. METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted with two groups (the control group and intervention) from March to November 2021. This study enrolled 86 participants, two of whom were lost to follow-up; 42 received usual care (control group) and 42 received REBT based on usual care (intervention group) in nursing homes. The older people in both groups were evaluated at baseline (T0), within one-week post-intervention (T1), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Generalized estimating equations were used by SPSS version 26 to assess the differential change in the outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS The intervention group shows significantly greater improvement in alexithymia than the control group at both T1 (β = -8.167, 95%CI= -10.965, -5.368, P < 0.001) and T2 (β=-4.119, 95%CI= -7.171, -1.067, P = 0.008). The two groups showed significant differences at both T1 and T2 in both difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings. Compared to the control group, the intervention group shows a significant improvement in sleep quality at T2 (β = -2.048, 95%CI=-4.004, -0.091, P = 0.040). The two groups showed significant differences at both T1 and T2 in both sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction. For depression and anxiety, no significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS REBT showed to be an effective method for improving alexithymia and sleep quality of older people in nursing homes. However, it failed to significantly alleviate anxiety and depression at least in a short-term trial. Refining this intervention may have a broader, more substantial impact on future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Qin
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Jie Li
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wu
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Yating Luo
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Xiaoqian Dong
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Huan Cao
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Sha Wang
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Min Liu
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Jianfei Xie
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.
| | - Andy Sk Cheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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Silvestro O, Ricciardi L, Catalano A, Vicario CM, Tomaiuolo F, Pioggia G, Squadrito G, Schwarz P, Gangemi S, Martino G. Alexithymia and asthma: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1221648. [PMID: 37609491 PMCID: PMC10441120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence from scientific research elucidates the important role of alexithymia in chronic immune diseases. This Review aims to explore the presence of alexithymia in patients affected by asthma and clarify its associations with other involved psychological and physical factors. In January 2023, according to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search using PubMed and Scopus was conducted. Twenty-six studies were eligible based on inclusion criteria. Alexithymia was significantly present in asthma patients, with most studies reporting a higher prevalence (from 9 to 62.8%) than in control groups (approximately 10%). The coexistence of asthma and alexithymia was associated with a worse quality of life, psychiatric comorbidity, poor symptom control, and difficulty in recognizing exacerbations of the disease. These results suggest that alexithymia can negatively impact the management of asthma. For this reason, we recommend an accuracy assessment in clinical settings and the implementation of psychological interventions to promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Silvestro
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luisa Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology, Research Centre for Ageing and Osteoporosis, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Kun B, Alpay P, Bodó V, Molnár Á, Horváth A, Karsai S, Somlai RS, Takacs ZK, Kökönyei G. Differences in the associations between psychoactive substance use and alexithymia: A series of Meta-analyses. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 103:102297. [PMID: 37290244 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The present meta-analytic study examined the association between alexithymia and psychoactive substance use. Studies published from 1988 to August 20, 2022 were identified by a systematic search and 168 eligible studies were included in five meta-analyses. Results showed that (1) the correlation between substance use and alexithymia is small but significant (r = 0.177); (2) substance users have substantially higher alexithymia than nonusers (g = 0.545); (3) alexithymic participants have significantly but slightly higher levels of substance use than non-alexithymics (g = 0.242); (4) substance users are significantly but only slightly more likely to be alexithymic than nonusers (OR = 2.392); and (5) alexithymic individuals are not more likely to be substance users than non-alexithymics. Larger effects were observed among samples diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), and the use of depressants, alcohol, opiates, and illicit stimulants had stronger relation to alexithymia. We found a tendency for a larger association with problematic use as compared to other indicators (e.g., frequency and duration) of substance use. Among the components of alexithymia, difficulties in identifying feelings has the strongest association with substance use. Our findings support clinical practice by suggesting the improvement of emotion regulation in SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Kun
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Pelin Alpay
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktória Bodó
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Molnár
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Horváth
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Karsai
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róza Sára Somlai
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsofia K Takacs
- School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gyöngyi Kökönyei
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; SE-NAP2 Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Liu H, Yang Y, Tian Y, Gao S, Ma Y, Wang Y, Xin L, Luo N, Wang X, Meng N, Zhuge R, Wang Q, Wu Q, Liu B. Prevalence and associated factors of alexithymia among people living with HIV/AIDS in China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:421. [PMID: 37308930 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is common and causes serious harm to people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, this study aimed to examine its prevalence and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in China. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in two designated AIDS medical institutions in Harbin, China between January and December 2019. In total, 767 participants completed the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness short-form, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the HIV Treatment Regimen Fatigue Scale, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption. The participants responded to several questions regarding their demographic characteristics, life satisfaction, disease-related economic burden, and their antiretroviral therapy (ART) side effects. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the relationship between alexithymia and associated factors. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for OR were calculated. RESULTS Approximately 36.1% of the participants were classified as having alexithymia. After adjusted age and education, the logistic regression model indicated that disease-related economic burden (OR = 1.477, 95% CI = 1.155-1.888), ART side effects (OR = 1.249, 95% CI = 1.001-1.559), loneliness (OR = 1.166, 95% CI = 1.101-1.236), and HIV treatment regimen fatigue (OR = 1.028, 95% CI = 1.017-1.039) were positively associated with alexithymia. CONCLUSIONS The mental health problems of people living with HIV/AIDS are essential to understand and deserve attention. Disease-related economic burdens are major associated factors. Multiple actors should provide better services and guarantees for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yisi Yang
- Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, , China
| | - Yingnan Tian
- School of Business and Economics, University of San Carlos, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yunxia Ma
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ling Xin
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Nana Luo
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Nan Meng
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ruiqian Zhuge
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qunkai Wang
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qunhong Wu
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
| | - Baohua Liu
- School of Health Service and Healthy Elderly Care, Ningbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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Molinengo G, Romeo A, Trombetta T, Rollè L, Castelli L, Loera B. Shortened version of TAS using IRT: The 10-item scale for adolescents. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.112077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Benfante A, Romeo A. Alexithymia Among People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review. AIDS Behav 2022; 27:1926-1941. [PMID: 36367612 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The present scoping review aimed to identify studies that investigated alexithymia, defined as a difficulty in identifying and describing one's own emotions, in people living with HIV (PLWH).A literature search, in line with the guidelines of PRISMA-ScR, was conducted in the following bibliographic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The databases were queried using the following strings (using Boolean operators): ("alexithymia" OR "alexithymic") AND ("HIV" OR "Human Immunodeficiency Virus"). In line with the eligibility criteria, fourteen articles were found.Ten studies showed the involvement of alexithymia in disease severity (e.g., viral load levels), and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Three studies revealed an association between alexithymia and cardiovascular disease, and three studies highlighted the implication of alexithymia in cognitive impairment.This review revealed the complex role of alexithymia in HIV disease. A careful clinical assessment of the emotional regulation process of PLWH can provide useful prognostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Benfante
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy
| | - Annunziata Romeo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy.
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Impact of Alexithymia on the Lipid Profile in Major Depressed Individuals. J Lipids 2022; 2022:5450814. [PMID: 35755481 PMCID: PMC9225907 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5450814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cooccurrence of major depression and dyslipidaemia is associated with negative cardiovascular outcome, which seems to justify a better identification of the factors favouring the development of dyslipidaemia in major depressed individuals. In the literature, there are arguments in favour of a special relationship between dyslipidaemia and alexithymia. However, despite a high prevalence of alexithymia in major depressed individuals, no study has investigated the impact of this personality trait on the lipid profile in this particular subpopulation. Given these elements, the aim of this study was therefore to investigate the risk of dyslipidaemia associated with alexithymia in major depressed individuals to allow better cardiovascular prevention in this subpopulation. Subjects and Methods. Demographic and polysomnographic data from 242 major depressed individuals recruited from the clinical database of the sleep laboratory were analysed. Only individuals with a diagnosis of dyslipidaemia according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation at admission were included in the “dyslipidaemia” group. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk of dyslipidaemia associated with alexithymia in major depressed individuals. Results The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 43.8% in our sample of major depressed individuals. After adjusting for the main confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that alexithymia was a risk factor for dyslipidaemia in major depressed individuals. Conclusions In this study, we found that alexithymia is a risk factor for dyslipidaemia in major depressed individuals, which seems to justify better identification and adequate management of this personality trait in order to allow a better lipid profile in this subpopulation at high cardiovascular risk.
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Psychotherapy as a Polyphonic and Playful Conversation. PSYCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/psych4010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of hypnosis, we have witnessed a multiplication of psychotherapies, which have different backgrounds and aims. The omnipresence of psychotherapy leads us to an inevitable question: what is psychotherapy? In this article, we analyse the concept of mental disorder and how psychotherapy works, underlining three mechanisms: influence, polyphonic dialogue and play. Focusing on the therapeutic dialogue, we explore what is told during therapy and how, what is done while telling, and how dialogue can create new narratives and new meanings, highlighting the importance of influencing the patient on changing the symptomatic behaviour. We also consider how the multiple voices of the patient, therapist and others can generate an alternative to the monologic discourse of the disease. While the psychiatric illness may indicate a sterile dialogue which often expands the pathology, communicating in a different and active way can create new and healthier meanings. Therefore, one of the therapy’s aims is to influence the patient, throughout a dialogic and playful conversation, to gain freedom from disease.
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Goerlich KS, Votinov M. Hormonal abnormalities in alexithymia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1070066. [PMID: 36699481 PMCID: PMC9868825 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1070066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in emotion recognition and regulation that is associated with deficits in social cognition. High alexithymia levels are considered a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of psychiatric and medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, and autism. Hormones are known to affect social-emotional cognition and behavior in humans, including the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin, the steroid hormones testosterone and estradiol, the stress hormone cortisol as well as thyroid hormones. However, few studies have investigated hormonal effects on alexithymia and on alexithymia-related impairments in emotion regulation and reactivity, stress response, and social cognition. Here, we provide a brief overview of the evidence linking alexithymia to abnormalities in hormone levels, particularly with regard to cortisol and oxytocin, for which most evidence exists, and to thyroid hormones. We address the current lack of research on the influence of sex hormones on alexithymia and alexithymia-related deficits, and lastly provide future directions for research on associations between hormonal abnormalities and deficits in emotion regulation and social cognition associated with alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina S Goerlich
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Mikhail Votinov
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 10, Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Schiewer V, Dietz T, Tavenrath S, Öztürk-Arenz H, Jäger RS, Klein A, Labouvie H, Kusch M. [Common foundation of alexithymia and expressive suppression]. PSYCHOTHERAPEUT 2021; 67:166-175. [PMID: 34720437 PMCID: PMC8549590 DOI: 10.1007/s00278-021-00546-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Internationale Studien konnten bereits einen Zusammenhang zwischen Alexithymie und expressiver Suppression belegen. Im deutschsprachigen Raum wurde dieser Zusammenhang bisher nur sehr selten betrachtet. Übergeordnetes Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Untersuchung eines korrelativen und faktoriellen Zusammenhangs von Alexithymie und expressiver Suppression. Material und Methoden Insgesamt 317 Personen nahmen einer Onlinebefragung teil. Mithilfe der deutschsprachigen Versionen der Toronto Alexithymia Scale-26 (TAS-26) und des Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) wurden Daten zu Alexithymie und expressiver Suppression erfasst. Ergebnisse Es bestanden signifikante Korrelationen zwischen der Subskala „Schwierigkeit bei der Identifikation von Gefühlen“ der TAS-26 und der Skala „Unterdrückung“ des ERQ (r = 0,5; p < 0,001) sowie zwischen der Subskala „Schwierigkeit bei der Beschreibung von Gefühlen“ der TAS-26 und der Skala „Unterdrückung“ des ERQ (r = 0,64; p < 0,001). Die Ergebnisse einer explorativen Faktorenanalyse ergaben eine Zwei-Faktoren-Lösung mit einem gemeinsamen Faktor für die TAS-26-Subskalen „Schwierigkeit bei der Identifikation von Gefühlen“ und „Schwierigkeit bei der Beschreibung von Gefühlen“ und der Skala „Unterdrückung“ des ERQ mit einer gemeinsamen Varianz von 38,2 % (χ2 = 363,843; p < 0,001; Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin[KMO]-Wert = 0,699). Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass den Skalen der TAS-26 in den Komponenten „Schwierigkeit bei der Identifikation von Gefühlen“ und „Schwierigkeit bei der Beschreibung von Gefühlen“ sowie der Skala „Unterdrückung“ des ERQ in der Komponente der „expressiven Suppression“ ein gemeinsames Konstrukt zugrunde liegt, das mit dem Begriff der Sprachlosigkeit belegt werden kann.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Schiewer
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Thilo Dietz
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Sally Tavenrath
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Hülya Öztürk-Arenz
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Reinhold S Jäger
- Zentrum für Empirische Pädagogische Forschung, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau, Landau, Deutschland
| | - Anne Klein
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Hildegard Labouvie
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Michael Kusch
- Psychoonkologische Versorgungsforschung, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland
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Komisaruk BR, Rodriguez del Cerro MC. How Does Our Brain Generate Sexual Pleasure? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2021; 33:602-611. [PMID: 38595785 PMCID: PMC10903593 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2021.1989534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
We present herein an exploratory essay on sexual pleasure, in support of the objective of developing an evidence base of knowledge for the WAS Declaration of Sexual Rights. We have attempted to account for the feeling of erotic sexual pleasure, in terms of what is known about neuronal function. The brain regions that are activated during women's orgasm, and their perceptual and physiological roles, are compared with brain regions related to chemically induced euphoria and craving. The brain regions that are activated at orgasm match those that are activated by both euphoria and craving. Based on these findings, we propose that erotic, sensual feeling is a simultaneous activation of euphoria plus craving. The importance of sensory stimulation, proprioception, sensations, and feelings is emphasized by evidence that their disruption leads to pathologies. The process of buildup of excitation to a peak and then resolution is proposed as a basic "orgasmic" property of the nervous system shared by multiple systems, as in a sneeze, which we consider to be a non-genital orgasm. We postulate a process by which an excitation pattern feels pleasurable and - at higher intensity - euphoric, if it is congruent with an unconscious dynamic "template," but aversive and at higher intensity painful, to the extent that it is incongruent with the template. Under this formulation, peak neuronal excitation that is congruent with the unconscious, simultaneously "getting what is craved," generates orgasmic, erotic, sexual pleasure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry R. Komisaruk
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University – Newark, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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14
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Scarpazza C, Zangrossi A, Huang YC, Sartori G, Massaro S. Disentangling interoceptive abilities in alexithymia. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:844-857. [PMID: 34097132 PMCID: PMC8182733 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01538-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, research on interoceptive abilities (i.e., sensibility, accuracy, and awareness) and their associations with emotional experience has flourished. Yet interoceptive abilities in alexithymia—a personality trait characterized by a difficulty in the cognitive interpretation of emotional arousal, which impacts emotional experience—remain under-investigated, thereby limiting a full understanding of subjective emotional experience processing. Research has proposed two contrasting explanations thus far: in one model, the dimensions of interoceptive sensibility and accuracy in alexithymia would increase; in the other model, they would decrease. Surprisingly, the contribution of interoceptive awareness has been minimally researched. In this study (N = 182), the relationship between participants’ level of alexithymia and the three interoceptive dimensions was tested. Our results show that the higher the level of alexithymia is, the higher interoceptive accuracy and sensibility (R2 = 0.29 and R2 = 0.14); conversely, the higher the level of alexithymia is, the lower interoceptive awareness (R2 = 0.36). Moreover, an ROC analysis reveals that interoceptive awareness is the most accurate predictor of alexithymia, yielding over 92% accuracy. Collectively, these results support a coherent understanding of interoceptive abilities in alexithymia, whereby the dissociation of interoceptive accuracy and awareness may explain the underlying psycho-physiological mechanisms of alexithymia. A possible neurocognitive mechanism is discussed which suggests insurgence of psychosomatic disorders in alexithymia and related psychotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy.
| | - Andrea Zangrossi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center (PCN), University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Yu-Chun Huang
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Giuseppe Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Massaro
- The Organizational Neuroscience Laboratory, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, UK.,Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, Guildford, Rik Medlik Building (MS), Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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15
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Seitz RJ. Beliefs: A challenge in neuropsychological disorders. J Neuropsychol 2021; 16:21-37. [PMID: 33969626 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beliefs have recently been defined as the neural product of perception of objects and events in the external world and of an affirmative internal affective state reflecting personal meaning. It is, however, undetermined in which way diseases of the brain affect these integrative processes. METHODS Here, the formation and updating of abnormal beliefs in cerebral disorders are described. RESULTS It will be shown that well-defined neuropsychological syndromes resulting from brain lesions also interfere with the neural processes that enable the formation, up-dating and communication of beliefs. Similarly, in neuropsychiatric disorders abnormal and delusional beliefs appear to be caused by altered perception and/or misattribution of aversive meaning. CONCLUSION Given the importance of beliefs for ordinary social behaviour, abnormal beliefs are a challenge in neuropsychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger J Seitz
- Department of Neurology, Centre of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.,Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Abstract
Alexithymia is pervasive among psychiatric patients, but its neurobiological mechanism is unclear. Patients with alexithymia cannot "read emotions," a process involving interoception, or the perception of the body's internal state, primarily in the insulae. The frontotemporal dementias are also associated with inability to correctly read emotions; hence, these dementias can provide a window into the mechanism of alexithymia. Patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) have a weak emotional signal with impaired emotional recognition, hypoemotionality, and decreased physiological arousal. bvFTD affects the insulae, and the weak emotional signal facilitates impaired interoceptive accuracy, resulting in an overreliance on cognitive appraisal rather than on internal sensations. In contrast, patients with semantic dementia, another frontotemporal dementia syndrome, can have intact interoception, but they have disturbed cognitive appraisal of the meaning of their bodily sensations. This "alexisomia" in semantic dementia can lead to misinterpreted somatic symptoms. Together, the findings in alexithymic patients and frontotemporal dementia syndromes support the model of impaired interoceptive accuracy as the mechanism of alexithymia, possibly from dysfunction in the insulae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario F. Mendez
- Departments of Neurology and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; and Neurology Service, Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
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Arroyo-Anlló EM, Souchaud C, Ingrand P, Chamorro Sánchez J, Melero Ventola A, Gil R. Alexithymia in Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Med 2020; 10:jcm10010044. [PMID: 33375608 PMCID: PMC7795069 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is widely recognized as the inability to identify and express emotions. It is a construct which consists of four cognitive traits such as difficulty in identifying feelings, describing feelings to others, externally oriented thinking, and limited imaginative capacity. Several studies have linked alexithymia to cognitive functioning, observing greater alexithymia scores associated with poorer cognitive abilities. Despite Alzheimer's disease (AD) being a neurodegenerative pathology characterized by cognitive troubles from the early stages, associated to behavioral and emotional disturbances, very few investigations have studied the alexithymia in AD. These studies have shown that alexithymia scores-assessed with Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)-were greater in AD patients than healthy participants. The objective of the study was to investigate if the alexithymia was present in patients with mild AD. We hypothesized that the AD group would show more alexithymia features than the control group. We evaluated 54 subjects, including 27 patients diagnosed with mild AD and 27 normal healthy controls, using the Shalling Sifneos Psychosomatic Scale (SSPS-R) and a neuropsychological test battery. Using non-parametric statistical analyses-Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests-we observed that the SSPS-R scores were similar in the AD and control groups. All participants showed SSPS-R scores below to 10 points, which means no-alexithymia. We did not find significant correlations between SSPS-R scores and cognitive variables in both groups (p > 0.22), but we observed a negative association between name abilities and alexithymia, but it does not reach to significance (p = 0.07). However, a significant correlation between SSPS-R score and mood state, assessed using Zerssen Rating Scale, was found in both groups (p = 0.01). Because we did not find a significant difference in the alexithymia assessment between both subject groups, pot hoc analyses were computed for each item of the SSPS-R. We made comparisons of alexithymic responses percentages in each SSPS-R item between AD and control groups, using Fisher's test. We observed that AD patients produced more alexithymic responses in some items of SSPS-R test than the control group, particularly about difficulties to find the words to describe feelings, as well as difficulties of imagination capacity and externally oriented thinking. The present results do not confirm our hypothesis and they do not support the results of previous studies revealing great alexithymia in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Mª Arroyo-Anlló
- Department of Psychobiology, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla-León, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-629460944
| | - Corinne Souchaud
- Department of Neurology and Neuropsychology, University Hospital, CHU La Milétrie, 86000 Poitiers, France;
| | - Pierre Ingrand
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France;
| | - Jorge Chamorro Sánchez
- Faculty of Psychology, Pontifical University of Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain; (J.C.S.); (A.M.V.)
| | - Alejandra Melero Ventola
- Faculty of Psychology, Pontifical University of Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain; (J.C.S.); (A.M.V.)
| | - Roger Gil
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, 86000 Poitiers, France;
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Alexithymia Is Associated with Reduced Quality of Life and Increased Caregiver Burden in Parkinson's Disease. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060401. [PMID: 32599704 PMCID: PMC7348697 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease of people who are beyond 50 years of age. People with PD (PwP) suffer from a large variety of motor and non-motor symptoms resulting in reduced health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). In the last two decades, alexithymia was identified as an additional non-motor symptom in PD. Alexithymia is defined as a cognitive affective disturbance resulting in difficulty to identify and distinguish feelings from bodily sensations of emotional arousal. In PD, the frequency of patients suffering of alexithymia is increased compared to healthy controls. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of alexithymia to HR-QoL of the PwP and caregiver burden of the corresponding caregiver. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study used disease specific questionnaires for HR-QoL and caregiver burden. In total 119 PwP and their corresponding caregivers were included in the study. HR-QoL of the PwP correlated significantly with alexithymia (p < 0.001), especially the sub-components "identifying feelings" (p < 0.001) and "difficulties describing feelings" (p = 0.001). Caregiver burden also correlated significantly with PwP alexithymia (p < 0.001). However, caregiver burden was associated with sub-components "identifying feelings" (p < 0.008) and "external oriented thinking" (p < 0.004). These data support the importance of alexithymia as a non-motor symptom in PD.
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