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Adamowicz JL, Sirotiak Z, Thomas EBK. Childhood maltreatment and somatic symptoms: Examining the role of specific types of childhood maltreatment and alexithymia. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2024; 16:S2-S9. [PMID: 35816585 PMCID: PMC9832170 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given the strong association between a history of childhood maltreatment and somatic symptoms, identification of therapeutically modifiable intervention targets is warranted. Alexithymia, or difficulty identifying and describing emotions, may be playing an important role. The present study examined contributions of alexithymia and childhood maltreatment as related to somatic symptoms. METHOD Participants (N = 447) completed measures of childhood maltreatment, alexithymia, and somatic symptoms. Two three-step hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to examine the unique contribution of alexithymia after accounting for demographic characteristics and childhood maltreatment. The first regression utilized total scores, and the second explored five domains of childhood maltreatment, a trauma validity index, and three domains of alexithymia. RESULTS In the first linear regression, childhood maltreatment and alexithymia were significantly associated with higher somatic symptoms. In the second linear regression, childhood maltreatment and alexithymia both significantly added to the model; however, only emotional abuse was significantly associated with somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In line with previous research, childhood maltreatment and alexithymia are associated with somatic symptoms. Given specific domains of alexithymia were nonsignificant in this relationship, it appears no single aspect of alexithymia is of greater importance. Future research should examine these associations longitudinally, as improving alexithymia may help improve outcomes in individuals with childhood maltreatment history experiencing somatic symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoe Sirotiak
- University of Iowa, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
- University of Iowa, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
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Mo D, Guo P, Hu S, Tao R, Zhong H, Liu H. Characteristics and correlation of gray matter volume and somatic symptoms in adolescent patients with depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1197854. [PMID: 37559918 PMCID: PMC10407247 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1197854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescent patients with depressive disorders commonly exhibit somatic symptoms, which have a significant negative impact on their treatment and prognosis. Despite this, specific brain imaging characteristics of these symptoms have been poorly studied. Methods The Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD-17), Children's Functional Somatization scale (CSI), and Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of adolescent depression. We analyzed the correlation between brain gray matter volume (GMV) and clinical symptoms in adolescent patients with depression and somatic symptoms. Results The depression subgroups with and without functional somatic symptoms (FSS) had higher scores on the HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS than the normal control group. The group with FSS had higher HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS scores than the depression group without FSS (p < 0.05). CSI and TAS scores were positively correlated (r = 0.378, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was higher in the depression groups with and without FSSs than in the normal control group, and the GMV was higher in the group without FSS than in the group with FSS (F = 29.394, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was negatively correlated with CSI in the depressed group with FSS (r = -0.376, p < 0.05). In the group with depression exhibiting FSS, CSI scores were positively correlated with GMV of the middle occipital gyrus (pr = 0.665, p = 0.0001), and TAS scores were positively correlated with GMV of the caudate nucleus (pr = 0.551, p = 0.001). Conclusion Somatic symptoms of adolescent depressive disorder are associated with alexithymia; moreover, somatic symptoms and alexithymia in adolescent patients with depressive disorders are correlated with GMV changes in different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daming Mo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chao hu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorder, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Pengfei Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuwen Hu
- Clinical Psychological Science, Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorder, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Huanzhong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chao hu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Durmaz O, Baykan H. Mentalizing self and others: A controlled study investigating the relationship between alexithymia and theory of mind in major depressive disorder. Indian J Psychiatry 2020; 62:559-565. [PMID: 33678838 PMCID: PMC7909025 DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_554_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theory of mind (ToM) and alexithymia have been reported to relate with depression in recent studies. However, data regarding the role of alexithymia and ToM in depression remain uncertain. AIM The aim of the current study was to determine the levels of alexithymia and ToM abilities as well as their relationship with each other and clinical features in major depressive disorder (MDD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with MDD and healthy controls were undergone sociodemographic data, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET) to determine the depression, anxiety, alexithymia, and ToM abilities. RESULTS Depression, anxiety, and alexithymia levels were higher, while ToM abilities were found to be decreased in MDD patients relative to controls. A positive correlation was observed between depression levels and alexithymia levels in terms of difficulty in identifying feelings subscale and total scores of TAS-20 (P = 0.006, P = 0.036, respectively), while a positive correlation was also observed between anxiety levels and alexithymia levels in terms of difficulty in describing feelings subscale scores of TAS-20 (P = 0.02) in depressed group. No correlation was found between depression, anxiety levels, and RMET accuracy scores. CONCLUSION Our results suggest alexithymia and impaired ToM abilities might be prominent but prone to be distinct clinical constructs in MDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Durmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Erenkoy Mental Health and Neurology Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hayriye Baykan
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey
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Huang Y, Wang Y, Zeng L, Yang J, Song X, Rao W, Li H, Ning Y, He H, Li T, Wu K, Chen F, Wu F, Zhang X. Prevalence and Correlation of Anxiety, Insomnia and Somatic Symptoms in a Chinese Population During the COVID-19 Epidemic. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:568329. [PMID: 33005165 PMCID: PMC7485113 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.568329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety has been a common mental state during the epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is usually closely related to somatization. However, no study on somatization in anxiety and its relationship with insomnia has been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of anxiety, somatization and insomnia and explore the relationships between different psychological states in the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS A total of 1,172 respondents were recruited from 125 cities in mainland China by an online questionnaire survey. All subjects were evaluated with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS The percentages of anxiety, somatization, and insomnia were 33.02%, 7.59%, and 24.66%, respectively. The prevalence of somatization was 19.38% in participants with anxiety. Compared to the anxiety without somatization group, the anxiety with somatization group had a significantly higher percentage of patients with a history of physical disease and insomnia, as well as higher GAD-7 scores and SCL-90 somatization subscores (all p < 0.001). The SCL-90 somatization subscores were positively correlated with age, history of physical disease, GAD-7 scores, and ISI scores (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression showed that GAD-7 score, ISI score, and age were risk factors for somatization in the anxious population. CONCLUSIONS Somatic and psychological symptoms were common in the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. Somatic symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia are closely related, and improving anxiety and sleep quality may help relieve somatic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Department of Scientific Research Center, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lingyun Zeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiezhi Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Health Development Research Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiuli Song
- Clinical Psychology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Wenwang Rao
- Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hehua Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongbo He
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology (scUT), Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengjuan Chen
- Department of Medical, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengchun Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Lisi G, Rossi R, Ribolsi M, Di Lorenzo G, Parisi C, Siracusano M, Morciano L, De Stefano A, Pesaresi A, Niolu C, Palombi L, Siracusano A. 'Too many BeEPs in our teens!' Behavioral and emotional problems in a large group of Italian adolescents. Psychol Med 2020; 52:1-10. [PMID: 32779561 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One in six adolescents suffers from mental health problems. Despite the presence of general information on Italian adolescents' mental health, researches conducted with standardized assessment tools are scarce in the literature. We evaluated the prevalence of self-reported behavioral and emotional problems in a group of Italian adolescents and examined their relation to socio-demographical variables. METHODS This population-based sampling survey was conducted on high school students aged 14-18 from urban areas of Rome and Latina. Participants completed Youth Self-Report (YSR) and a socio-demographic schedule to collect information on age, gender, type of school attended, socio-economic status, urbanicity. RESULTS Final sample consisted of 1400 adolescents (38.61% male, mean age 16 years, s.d. 1.42). Prevalence of Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems and Total Problems was 29.55%, 18.34% and 24.13%. In our multivariable model, Internalizing Symptoms were not explained by sociodemographic variables while Externalizing Symptoms were explained by Male Gender [OR = 1.53 (1.14-2.06)], older age [OR = 2.06 (1.52-2.79)] and attending a Technical and Professional Institute [OR = 2.15 (1.53-3.02)], with an adjusted R2 = 4.32%. Total Problems were explained by School Type [Technical and Professional Institutes and Art and Humanities v. Grammar and Science School; OR respectively 1.93 (1.40-2.67) and 1.64 (1.08-2.47)], adjusted R2 = 1.94. CONCLUSIONS The study provides, for the first time, evidence of a great prevalence of self-reported behavioral and emotional problems in a large sample of Italian adolescents, highlighting the role of different socio-demographic variables as risk factors for externalizing behaviors. Our results emphasize the urgent need for implementing prevention programs on mental health in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Lisi
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Rossi
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ribolsi
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Parisi
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Siracusano
- Chair of Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Morciano
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Pesaresi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Niolu
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Palombi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Siracusano
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Defense Mechanisms, Dissociation, Alexithymia and Childhood Traumas in Chronic Migraine Patients. JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10942-020-00357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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The relationship between alexithymia, anxiety, depression, and severity of the disease in psoriasis patients. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.693222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Alexithymia as a possible specifier of adverse outcomes: Clinical correlates in euthymic unipolar individuals. J Affect Disord 2020; 263:428-436. [PMID: 31969274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is a disabling condition frequently linked to major depressive disorder (MDD) and able to enhance symptoms severity and suicide risk. This study aimed to clarify whether patients with and without alexithymia may differ concerning illness presentation and clinical course, which is a major gap in the scientific literature. METHODS The present sample included 381 euthymic outpatients with MDD recruited at the Department of Neuroscience (DINOGMI), University of Genoa. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and additional rating scales (Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Intent Score Scale (ISS) were administered to all participants. RESULTS Alexithymic patients were more likely to have lower educational level (11.6 ± 3.2 vs. 12.4 ± 3.4, p ≤ .05), have used previous psychiatric drugs (85.7% vs. 72.8%, p =.001), use current antidepressants (84.7% vs. 69.4%, p = <.001), and have higher cardiological comorbid disorders (10.7% vs. 5.0%, p = ≤.05). After multivariate analyses, alexithymia was associated with lower educational level (OR=0.928, p = .05), and higher current antidepressants use (OR 2.302, p = .01); difficulties in identifying feelings were associated with lower educational level (p = ≤.005), higher psychiatric comorbidity (p = ≤.001), and previous psychiatric medications (p = .01). Furthermore, having a lower educational level remained the only factor associated with both difficulties in communicating feelings (p = ≤.001) and thoughts oriented to external context (p = ≤.005). LIMITATIONS The study is limited by the small sample size and its cross-sectional nature. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia appears a useful specifier of adverse outcomes, associated with distinct socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Its identification would allow to provide a more personalized care.
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Raffagnato A, Angelico C, Valentini P, Miscioscia M, Gatta M. Using the Body When There Are No Words for Feelings: Alexithymia and Somatization in Self-Harming Adolescents. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:262. [PMID: 32322222 PMCID: PMC7158949 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and somatic complaints in the psychopathological setting of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A clinical sample of 134 adolescents (115 females; 85.5%) from 12 to 18 years old engaging in NSSI was compared with a control group of 243 high-school students (157 females; 64.6%) from 13 to 18 years old. Data were collected using two questionnaires: The Youth Self-Report 11-18 and the 20 Toronto Alexithymia Scale. In both cases and controls, the presence of somatization and alexithymia was associated with more severe psychopathological problems. Analyses were conducted to explore the association between somatic disorders and alexithymia. In the clinical group, somatic complaints were reported by 95.9% of alexithymic individuals, whereas only 44.3% of alexithymic adolescents reported somatic complaints. A one-way relationship emerged between somatization and alexithymia: while alexithymia would seem to be a factor associated with self-injury, somatic disorders were strongly associated with alexithymia, but not necessarily with self-injury. Among the self-harming adolescents, those with both alexithymia and somatization had a more severe psychopathological picture than the individuals with alexithymia but no somatization. This would suggest that, in the setting of NSSI, greater difficulty with identifying feelings is associated with somatization, and alexithymia would be an attribute common to self-harming behavior and somatization, both of which are characterized by the body being used to express psychological and emotional problems. Future research could further investigate alexithymia in self-harming individuals, in relation to any presence or absence of somatic disorders, with longitudinal assessments on any differences in their manifestation of self-injury and its psychopathological correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Raffagnato
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Caterina Angelico
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Perla Valentini
- Department of Communication Sciences, Humanistic and International Studies: History, Culture, Languages, Literature, Arts, Media, University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', Urbino, Italy
| | - Marina Miscioscia
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Michela Gatta
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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Nam G, Lee H, Lee JH, Hur JW. Disguised Emotion in Alexithymia: Subjective Difficulties in Emotion Processing and Increased Empathic Distress. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:698. [PMID: 32765327 PMCID: PMC7379392 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of speculation, many causal aspects that contribute to the heterogeneity of alexithymia still must be clarified. This study examined the extent of the alexithymia phenotype and its contribution to social function in the general population. In total, 200 participants (females = 111) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), multiple self-reporting questionnaires measuring emotion intelligence, empathy, hostility and impulsivity, and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). In the multivariate analysis, highly alexithymic individuals appeared to report subjective deficits in emotion recognition and regulation as well as increased impulsivity; however, their empathy skills were intact, and even the proneness to experiencing empathic distress with others' suffering was increased among alexithymic individuals. We also compared the clinical and behavioral manifestations of highly alexithymic male and female subjects to those of each gender control group. As a result, in contrast to their subjective self-reports of emotion processing impairment, the RMET performance appeared to be preserved in alexithymic females; however, highly alexithymic males showed actual deficits in the emotion identification task. Future research needs to further refine the constructs of alexithymia to incorporate the phenotypic changes in affected individuals in relation to measuring instruments, the extent of empathic distress, and gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gieun Nam
- Clinical Neuro-Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyerin Lee
- Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jang-Han Lee
- Clinical Neuro-Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Won Hur
- Department of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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Bakhla AK, Dayal M, Bala R, Toppo A. Auditory sensation with affective agnosia: A prevalence of alexithymia among tinnitus patients. Ind Psychiatry J 2020; 29:149-154. [PMID: 33776288 PMCID: PMC7989460 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_40_18] [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: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and association of alexithymia, depression, and anxiety in patients affected by tinnitus. METHODS The study was conducted among the patients referred for audiometric evaluation for tinnitus. They were further evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Analysis was done for prevalence and the sample was categorized as high and low tinnitus handicap subgroups, and mean scores of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression were compared. RESULTS A total of 70 patients (55.7% - male and 44.3% - female) with a mean age of 33.17 ± 12.24 years were finally analyzed. The severity of tinnitus was most severe (34.3%), followed by moderate (20%), catastrophic (18.6%), mild (17.1%), and slight (10%). The prevalence of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression among patients of tinnitus was found to be 65.7%, 37.1%, and 20%, respectively. The high tinnitus handicap group showed higher scoring on total alexithymia score, anxiety, and depression and higher scoring with describing emotion and identification of emotion, but there was no difference for the subscale of externally oriented thinking. CONCLUSIONS The study found a prevalence of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression as 65.7%, 37.1%, and 20%, respectively, among patients of tinnitus, and problem of describing and identification of emotion are associated with higher tinnitus handicap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Bakhla
- Department of Psychiatry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Meenakshi Dayal
- Department of ENT, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Rajni Bala
- Department of Psychiatry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Ashit Toppo
- Department of ENT, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
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Kumar V, Avasthi A, Grover S. Correlates of worry and functional somatic symptoms in generalized anxiety disorder. Ind Psychiatry J 2019; 28:29-36. [PMID: 31879444 PMCID: PMC6929227 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_31_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worry and functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are important clinical features of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Although there is literature on the prevalence of worry and FSS in GAD, there is limited data on psychological correlates of worry and somatic symptoms in patients with GAD. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship of worry and FSS with somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia in patients with GAD. METHODS Forty patients with the diagnosis of GAD were assessed with Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI), GAD-7 Scale, somatosensory amplification Scale (SSAS), Whiteley Index (WI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 Hindi version (TAS-H-20). RESULTS Worry had significant positive correlation with total scores of BSI, GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 subscale 1, SSAS, and WI. Younger age of onset was associated with higher FSS as assessed on BSI. BSI total score had positive correlation with total scores of GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 and its subscales, SSAS, WI, and with the severity grades of BSI and GAD. CONCLUSION Worry and FSS are associated with somatosensory amplification and hypochondriasis. In addition, somatic symptoms are associated with alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Ajit Avasthi
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sandeep Grover
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Nakao M, Takeuchi T. Alexithymia and Somatosensory Amplification Link Perceived Psychosocial Stress and Somatic Symptoms in Outpatients with Psychosomatic Illness. J Clin Med 2018; 7:E112. [PMID: 29748483 PMCID: PMC5977151 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7050112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosomatic patients often complain of a variety of somatic symptoms. We sought to clarify the role of clinical predictors of complaints of somatic symptoms. METHODS We enrolled 604 patients visiting a psychosomatic outpatient clinic. The outcome was the total number of somatic symptoms, and the candidate clinical predictors were perceived psychosocial stress, alexithymia, somatosensory amplification, adaptation, anxiety, and depression. All participants completed questionnaires assessing the outcome and the predictors. RESULTS The average number of reported somatic symptoms was 4.8; the most frequent was fatigue (75.3%), followed by insomnia (56.1%), low-back pain (49.5%), headache (44.7%), and palpitations (43.1%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the total number of somatic symptoms was significantly associated with the degree of perceived psychosocial stress, alexithymia, somatosensory amplification, and depression. Also, structural equation models indicated links between excessive adaptation (via perceived psychosocial stress, alexithymia, and somatosensory amplification) and the total number of somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION The results suggested that the association between psychosocial stress and reported somatic symptoms is mediated by alexithymia and somatosensory amplification in psychosomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuhiro Nakao
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Chiba 286-8686, Japan.
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
| | - Takeaki Takeuchi
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, School of Medicine, Toho University Hospital, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan.
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Tesio V, Di Tella M, Ghiggia A, Romeo A, Colonna F, Fusaro E, Geminiani GC, Castelli L. Alexithymia and Depression Affect Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pain: A Study on 205 Patients With Fibromyalgia. Front Psychol 2018; 9:442. [PMID: 29670558 PMCID: PMC5893813 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain in fibromyalgia (FM) is accompanied by a heterogeneous series of other symptoms, which strongly affect patients’ quality of life and interfere with social and work performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of alexithymia on both the physical and the psychosocial components of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of FM patients, controlling for the concomitant effects of depression, anxiety, and pain. In particular, given the strong interconnection between depression and alexithymia, the relationship between alexithymia and HRQoL as mediated by depressive symptoms was further investigated. Data were collected on a consecutive sample of 205 female patients with a main diagnosis of FM. The results showed that about 26% of the patients showed the presence of alexithymia, as assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Clinically relevant levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms were present in 61 and 60% of the patients, respectively. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that pain intensity (PI) and depressive symptoms explained the 45% of the variance of the physical component of HRQoL (p < 0.001). Regarding the mental component of HRQoL, depressive and anxiety symptoms, alexithymia, and PI significantly explained 61% of the variance (p < 0.001). The mediation analyses confirmed that alexithymia had a direct effect on the mental component of HRQoL and showed a statistically significant indirect effect on both the physical and the mental components, through the mediation of depressive symptoms. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested the presence of both a direct and an indirect effect of alexithymia, in particular of the difficulty identifying feeling, on the HRQoL of patients with FM. Indeed, even though the concomitant presence of depressive symptoms is responsible of an indirect effect, alexithymia per se seems to directly contribute to worsen the impact that this chronic pain pathology has on the patients’ quality of life, especially regarding the psychosocial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Annunziata Romeo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Colonna
- Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- Rheumatology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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