Disorder: A Complex Relationship
Alexithymia is a personality construct characterized by altered emotional awareness
which has been gaining diagnostic prevalence in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders,
with notably high rates of overlap with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the
nature of its role in ASD symptomatology remains elusive. Here, we distill research at
the intersection of alexithymia and ASD. After a brief synopsis of the studies that played
a pioneering role in the identification of the overlapping fields between alexithymia and
ASD, we comb the literature for evidence of its overlap with ASD in terms of prevalence,
etiology, and behaviors. Through a formalized framework of the process of emotional
interpretation and expression, we explore evidence for where and how deficits arise in
this complex network of events. We portray how these relate to the dynamic interplay
between alexithymic and autistic traits and find emerging evidence that alexithymia is
both a cause and consequence of autistic behaviors. We end with a strategic proposal
for future research and interventions to dampen the impacts of alexithymia in ASD.
which has been gaining diagnostic prevalence in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders,
with notably high rates of overlap with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the
nature of its role in ASD symptomatology remains elusive. Here, we distill research at
the intersection of alexithymia and ASD. After a brief synopsis of the studies that played
a pioneering role in the identification of the overlapping fields between alexithymia and
ASD, we comb the literature for evidence of its overlap with ASD in terms of prevalence,
etiology, and behaviors. Through a formalized framework of the process of emotional
interpretation and expression, we explore evidence for where and how deficits arise in
this complex network of events. We portray how these relate to the dynamic interplay
between alexithymic and autistic traits and find emerging evidence that alexithymia is
both a cause and consequence of autistic behaviors. We end with a strategic proposal
for future research and interventions to dampen the impacts of alexithymia in ASD.