Alexithymia: A Narrative Approach to Understanding an Alexithymic Profile

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between Alexithymia and a variety of environmental, genetic, and biological influences. A narrative questionnaire incorporating 98 variables believed to be associated with Alexithymia was employed to gain responses from 82 participants in a non-clinical sample and 80 participants in a clinical sample. A smallest space analysis was used to analyze the responses and identify any narratives associated with Alexithymia. The results revealed five narratives, The Compromised Child, The Compromised Adult, The Warrior, The Nurtured Child and The Alexithymic. The findings provide useful insights into who is most at risk of Alexithymia, what environmental factors may exacerbate it, and how to create more effective treatment pathways.