hey everybody! I’m writing a paper on Alexithymia for my psych class. Alexithymia isn’t a disorder necessarily, it’s a personality trait characterized by difficulty in identifying, differentiating, and expressing emotion.
However, it could be secondary to PTSD, schitzophrenia,autism and depression. Below is a link for a Questionnaire. I’m trying to get as many people as possible to take it and report back the number score they got. It takes less than five minutes to fill out…
Your result is broken down into various factors to give you some insight into your result.
Category: Difficulty Identifying Feelings: 13 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Difficulty Describing Feelings: 8 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Vicarious Interpretation of Feelings: 7 Points <8 - 9>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Externally-Oriented Thinking: 27 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Restricted Imaginative Processes: 25 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Problematic Interpersonal Relationships: 20 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Sexual Difficulties and Disinterest: 7 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
In my opinion your test is poorly made, but it does reflect somewhat about my personality. I actually find it quite rude that some humans with an inferior method of thinking says that my personality, and the way that I think are not normal, and is a ‘disorder’. Or perhaps they are saying that all humans should be useless “Special Snowflakes” that get their ‘feelings hurt’ when they need to make a decision from logic, and intelligence instead of from their feelings.
I also function completely fine emotionally, and contrary to the test I do have an imagination.
Your result is broken down into various factors to give you some insight into your result.
Category: Difficulty Identifying Feelings: 13 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Difficulty Describing Feelings: 8 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Vicarious Interpretation of Feelings: 7 Points <8 - 9>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
Category: Externally-Oriented Thinking: 27 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Restricted Imaginative Processes: 25 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Problematic Interpersonal Relationships: 20 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Sexual Difficulties and Disinterest: 7 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
In my opinion your test is poorly made, but it does reflect somewhat about my personality. I actually find it quite rude that some humans with an inferior method of thinking says that my personality, and the way that I think are not normal, and is a ‘disorder’. Or perhaps they are saying that all humans should be useless “Special Snowflakes” that get their ‘feelings hurt’ when they need to make a decision from logic, and intelligence instead of from their feelings.
I also function completely fine emotionally, and contrary to the test I do have an imagination. [/quote]
Like I said, it’s not a disorder, just a personality trait. In some cases it can be a personality trait caused by a disorder. Doesn’t mean its negative, just a category created by psychologists.
The site refers to it as “Emotional Blindness”, but I do not believe this is actually an adequate description in my case. I do recognize emotions. It’s just that I do not feel comfortable in situations involving emotion…mine or anyone else’s.
Category: Difficulty Identifying Feelings: 16 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show some alexithymic traits.
Category: Difficulty Describing Feelings: 15 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Vicarious Interpretation of Feelings: 9 Points <8 - 9>
In this category you show some alexithymic traits.
Category: Externally-Oriented Thinking: 32 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Restricted Imaginative Processes: 24 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Problematic Interpersonal Relationships: 20 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Sexual Difficulties and Disinterest: 8 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.
The site refers to it as “Emotional Blindness”, but I do not believe this is actually an adequate description in my case. I do recognize emotions. It’s just that I do not feel comfortable in situations involving emotion…mine or anyone else’s.
Category: Difficulty Identifying Feelings: 16 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show some alexithymic traits.
Category: Difficulty Describing Feelings: 15 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Vicarious Interpretation of Feelings: 9 Points <8 - 9>
In this category you show some alexithymic traits.
Category: Externally-Oriented Thinking: 32 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Restricted Imaginative Processes: 24 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Problematic Interpersonal Relationships: 20 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.
Category: Sexual Difficulties and Disinterest: 8 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show no alexithymic traits.[/quote]
My partner is the same way, and he got 134 on the test. ok I admit it, he’s actually the subject of my paper. trying to get a large enough sample to show the incidence rate in a random sample of population, as well as the difference between males and females. most of the females i know are in the 40’s. i got an 80.
theBeth, while I applaud your initiative in going to such lengths for a class paper, I feel compelled to ask: Did you run the idea for this survey past your professor? I ask because this sort of data-gathering is considered psychological research. As such, it must comport with APA guidelines for the ethical conduct of research, and I’m afraid you’re on shaky ground in that regard. Here is the relevant APA link:
The ethical concerns are further amplified by the fact that some of your ‘research subjects’ are minors.
I know you’re doing this with the best of intentions, but you have inadvertently put your professor at risk should a problem arise related to this research. Because of this, I urge you to check with him/her before proceeding further. Best of luck with your studies.
(BTW, if you’re wondering where I get off being such a self-appointed PITA about all this: I’m an MD/PhD, and my PhD is in experimental psych. I taught experimental-psych-related courses at university for 5 years, and have conducted and published a significant amount of research myself.)