On the relationship between alexithymia and depression and anxiety in psychiatric patients

ABSTRACT

Alexithymia means disability in expressing emotions. It is reported in a wide range of psychiatric and medical disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of alexithymia with depression and anxiety in psychiatric patients. In this descriptive correlational study, 81 patients [62 females and 19 males] which were referred to a governmental psychiatric clinic in Isfahan city, center of Iran, in 2008, were selected by available sampling method. Samples assessed by Toronto alexithymia scale and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive indices, Pearson s correlation coefficient and regression analyses. Pearson s correlation coefficient showed that two dimensions of alexithymia including difficulty in identifying feelings [P=0,001] and difficulty in describing feelings [P<0.014] had significant direct correlation with depression and anxiety, while dimension of externally-oriented thinking was not correlated with depression and anxiety [P=0.96]. Regression analysis showed that dimensions of alexithymia could not predict variations of depression and anxiety. The relationship of alexithymia with depression and anxiety emphasizes its relationship with psychological vulnerability indicators