Thanks for giving us such a nuanced account of alexithymia. I've come to think of it as difficulty in accessing my emotions. It's not that I don't have the ability to identify them, and I can do so in great detail - after the fact, and often through writing. Processing emotions in real time is often beyond me, which is not surprising when you consider how much else we need to be on top of in any situation - and it's especially hard when those emotions are complex or intense.
Often it shows up as heaviness in my body, like there's a thick soup of emotions and confusion and overwhelm sloshing around below the surface. It's only in my quietest moments that it reveals itself in a rush that engulfs me. I've learned not to try and shove it back down but let it be and give it space. I've come to recognise it as a "normal" part of my neurodivergence that has a purpose of clearing the decks and allowing me to re-set.
I just turned 32 and I still act this way 🤣 don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned a lot about emotions in myself and others. But I still get moments where I’m crying and have no idea why. I just remind myself that crying releases stress and is a sign to the community that you need help. So I cuddle with my wife and destress away lol Thanks for sharing! I know someone who is undiagnosed or hasn’t stumbled upon their autism will read this and it will open their eyes. This is really one piece of information that changed my leg for the better.
I was diagnosed as having alexithymia on Wednesday. I think I experience it slightly different to you, Ren, but it is still all very fresh so I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for writing. I will come back to this. 🖤
Thanks Ren - it really is helpful to read how other people experience the world. Like you, I had no idea that I was not understanding emotions in myself; I had no way to know that I was different, because I did not know what I was like myself. Knowing about alexithymia has opened a whole new way of seeing what I'm like, to understanding myself. Thank you.
I know this one! Before I knew I was autistic I joined a 1w step fellowship called adult children of Alcoholics (I know, fun!) and they did lots of talking about feelings and I printed out a feelings wheel and got quite a bit better or at least had more of the feelings words available to try and choose how I felt.
I wrote a whole post about it if you fancied reading more about is as I kinda found the process confusing and enlightening in equal measure.
I'd be interested to read it myself as I wrote it ages ago! Post diagnosis I think... But yep, it's confusing, that is for sure.
Thanks for giving us such a nuanced account of alexithymia. I've come to think of it as difficulty in accessing my emotions. It's not that I don't have the ability to identify them, and I can do so in great detail - after the fact, and often through writing. Processing emotions in real time is often beyond me, which is not surprising when you consider how much else we need to be on top of in any situation - and it's especially hard when those emotions are complex or intense.
Often it shows up as heaviness in my body, like there's a thick soup of emotions and confusion and overwhelm sloshing around below the surface. It's only in my quietest moments that it reveals itself in a rush that engulfs me. I've learned not to try and shove it back down but let it be and give it space. I've come to recognise it as a "normal" part of my neurodivergence that has a purpose of clearing the decks and allowing me to re-set.
‘Soup of emotions’ is a great way to put it. Thank you for reading 💙
I just turned 32 and I still act this way 🤣 don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned a lot about emotions in myself and others. But I still get moments where I’m crying and have no idea why. I just remind myself that crying releases stress and is a sign to the community that you need help. So I cuddle with my wife and destress away lol Thanks for sharing! I know someone who is undiagnosed or hasn’t stumbled upon their autism will read this and it will open their eyes. This is really one piece of information that changed my leg for the better.
Definitely relate 💖
I was diagnosed as having alexithymia on Wednesday. I think I experience it slightly different to you, Ren, but it is still all very fresh so I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for writing. I will come back to this. 🖤
Thanks Ren - it really is helpful to read how other people experience the world. Like you, I had no idea that I was not understanding emotions in myself; I had no way to know that I was different, because I did not know what I was like myself. Knowing about alexithymia has opened a whole new way of seeing what I'm like, to understanding myself. Thank you.
I know this one! Before I knew I was autistic I joined a 1w step fellowship called adult children of Alcoholics (I know, fun!) and they did lots of talking about feelings and I printed out a feelings wheel and got quite a bit better or at least had more of the feelings words available to try and choose how I felt.
I wrote a whole post about it if you fancied reading more about is as I kinda found the process confusing and enlightening in equal measure.
I'd be interested to read it myself as I wrote it ages ago! Post diagnosis I think... But yep, it's confusing, that is for sure.
https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseyflood/p/how-a-feelings-wheel-helps-me-overcome?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1yj0c
Thanks for writing this, it's helpful to read other people's descriptions of their inner world/experience.
❤️