About this Research Topic
Alexithymia is defined as difficulty identifying and describing one’s own emotions. It is a characteristic commonly observed in individuals with mood disorders and with substance use disorders. The presence of alexithymia complicates normal emotional regulation capabilities, as regulating emotions one cannot identify or label is much harder, and may result in individuals relying on external sources of mood regulation, such as drugs of abuse. Further, it may complicate treatment, as communication of emotional states to therapists is difficult for those with alexithymia. Further understanding the role of alexithymia in mental health is imperative. Developing treatments aimed at educating people about their emotions could be vastly helpful for individuals with alexithymia.
Frontiers in Psychiatry is working on connecting the dots in psychiatry research by encouraging an interdisciplinary approach on mental health issues. This Research Topic on Alexithymia aims to promote the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams from a number of professional disciplines to foster high standard of comprehensive care, research and best practice in Psychiatry.
The goal of this Article Collection is to further examine alexithymia, with special attention paid to its role in mental health and how it may contribute to worsened severity of mental health disorders. Examinations of the pathways by which alexithymia contributes to mental health disorders is important to disentangle, and evidence suggests that poorer regulation of emotions one cannot identify and difficulties communicating emotions in treatment may both contribute. The neural correlates of alexithymia remain to be fully delineated, and determination of brain regions or processes impaired by alexithymia are vital to further investigate how alexithymia contributes to emotional regulation and mental health. Experiences that contribute to alexithymia and its development are also important to understand. Literature on alexithymia in children and adolescents is scarce. Further, alexithymia is suggested to sometimes result from trauma and PTSD, where avoidance of negative emotions related to trauma may worsen outcomes. Shedding further light on neural correlates of alexithymia, how it develops, and its repercussions for mental health could have important ramifications for clinical care.
We welcome original research and review articles on, but not limited to:
• The role of alexithymia and emotional regulation: Examinations of aspects of emotional regulation in alexithymia are encouraged. Explorations of the emotional regulation strategies employed by individuals with and without alexithymia are of interest.
• Neural correlates of alexithymia: Imaging/EEG studies of alexithymia and its repercussions. Studies examining alexithymia after TBI are also encouraged.
• Alexithymia and substance abuse: Examinations of alexithymia in individuals who use substances is encouraged, including examinations of its impact on mental health comorbidities and craving among those with SUD or AUD.
• Pathways to alexithymia—Trauma and PTSD: Alexithymia is common among individuals with PTSD, and trauma may encourage emotional avoidance. Explorations along these lines are encouraged.
• Alexithymia in children and adolescents: Research on alexithymia in childhood and adolescence is encouraged, including longitudinal research.
Frontiers in Psychiatry is working on connecting the dots in psychiatry research by encouraging an interdisciplinary approach on mental health issues. This Research Topic on Alexithymia aims to promote the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams from a number of professional disciplines to foster high standard of comprehensive care, research and best practice in Psychiatry.
The goal of this Article Collection is to further examine alexithymia, with special attention paid to its role in mental health and how it may contribute to worsened severity of mental health disorders. Examinations of the pathways by which alexithymia contributes to mental health disorders is important to disentangle, and evidence suggests that poorer regulation of emotions one cannot identify and difficulties communicating emotions in treatment may both contribute. The neural correlates of alexithymia remain to be fully delineated, and determination of brain regions or processes impaired by alexithymia are vital to further investigate how alexithymia contributes to emotional regulation and mental health. Experiences that contribute to alexithymia and its development are also important to understand. Literature on alexithymia in children and adolescents is scarce. Further, alexithymia is suggested to sometimes result from trauma and PTSD, where avoidance of negative emotions related to trauma may worsen outcomes. Shedding further light on neural correlates of alexithymia, how it develops, and its repercussions for mental health could have important ramifications for clinical care.
We welcome original research and review articles on, but not limited to:
• The role of alexithymia and emotional regulation: Examinations of aspects of emotional regulation in alexithymia are encouraged. Explorations of the emotional regulation strategies employed by individuals with and without alexithymia are of interest.
• Neural correlates of alexithymia: Imaging/EEG studies of alexithymia and its repercussions. Studies examining alexithymia after TBI are also encouraged.
• Alexithymia and substance abuse: Examinations of alexithymia in individuals who use substances is encouraged, including examinations of its impact on mental health comorbidities and craving among those with SUD or AUD.
• Pathways to alexithymia—Trauma and PTSD: Alexithymia is common among individuals with PTSD, and trauma may encourage emotional avoidance. Explorations along these lines are encouraged.
• Alexithymia in children and adolescents: Research on alexithymia in childhood and adolescence is encouraged, including longitudinal research.
Keywords: alexithymia, PTSD, Trauma, neuroimaging, emotional regulation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
