Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS

Have you been given the advice to listen to your heart in a difficult situation? But what if the heart is silent or emits incomprehensible signals? An individual needs to understand their feelings and emotions, be aware of them and distinguish them in order to have a holistic idea of ​​themselves. However, there are people for whom it is a huge problem to identify emotions, to express their feelings and experiences.

The term "alexithymia" was proposed by the psychiatrist Peter E. Sifneos in 1973, and is translated from the Greek language as "without words for feelings." This feature is not a mental disorder, but rather a personality characteristic. However, it may cause social adaptation difficulties for a person who suffers from this condition; alexithymia has an impact on an individual's life as a whole. This condition manifests itself as reduced ability or inability to recognize, distinguish and express emotional experiences and bodily sensations.

Causes of alexithymia can vary. Congenital alexithymia may appear due to any physical impairment or be inherited. Acquired alexithymia can be the result of nervous shocks and stresses, neurological diseases, and psychological trauma.

About 7 percent of the world's population exhibit the traits of alexithymia, and men are 4 times more likely to develop it than women. Of course, the stereotype that a real man should not openly show emotions also played a huge role in this…