Clinical Research in the Etiology of Alexithymia(Alexithymia)

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  • Alexithymiaの発症機序に関する臨床研究(アレキシサイミアをめぐって)(第33回日本心身医学会総会)
  • Alexithymiaの発症機序に関する臨床研究
  • Alexithymia ノ ハッショウ キジョ ニ カンスル リンショウ ケン

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Abstract

Alexithymia is the concept characterized by difficulties in the capacity to verbalize affect and a lack of fantasy. The phenomenon was recognized as clinical characteristics specific to psychosomatic disease. However, many studies have shown the existence of alexithymia in psychiatric disorders such as substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder and somatic diseases which were placed under severe stressful conditions such as dialysis, terminal cancer, organ transplantation. There have been attempts to explain the etiology of alexithymia from many points of view including (1) genetic, (2) neurophysiological or neuroanatomical, (3) developmental, (4) psychodynamic, (5) social, and (6) intellectual. In particular, the etiology of alexithymia was discussed on the basis of our studies and several references. In our studies, secondary alexithymia was positively associated with denial of physical illness in patients with dialysis, severe burn, myocardiac infarction. It was suggested that secondary alexithymia might be derived from strong defense mechanisms. In addition to historical backgrounds and possible etiology of alexithymia, the authors also reviewed clinical significance and therapeutic intervention.

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