Dr. Dawn Neumann discusses alexithymia intervention

Dr. Dawn Neumann talks about her work on interventions regarding alexithymia.
Dr. Dawn Neumann: What is Alexithymia? • Dr. Dawn Neumann: What...
Dr. Dawn Neumann and the aspects of alexithymia: • Dr. Dawn Neumann and t...
This content is made possible by a partnership between the Indiana University School of Medicine and WETA/BrainLine.
This work has been supported by research funds made available by the NIH NICHD STTR (Phase I), grant no. 1R41HD077967-01A1, Indiana University Funding Opportunities for Research Commercialization and Economic Success (FORCES).
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research the Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems 90DP0036 and 90DRTB0002.
The contents of this video were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, the Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems 90DP0036 and 90DRTB0002. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this video do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

[@raechaotic9537]

Omg, this is why I had such a hard time in therapy (for the 2 months that I went lol) because I didn't know how to express my emotions or let alone recognize what exactly those emotions were. I was just kinda numb or empty but not in the way I'd feel when going through a depressive episode. Like, the question "how are you feeling today?" was and still it SO HARD because saying I'm "fine" isn't necessary a lie but it isn't entirely the truth either.

[@mariac4602]

I worked as a behaviorist with children with autism and I always created "how I feel" and "what I can do when I feel...." charts for children with emotional dysregulation. The "how I feel' was an image of the emotion and the 'what I can do" was the result of observing what strategies worked best for each emotion-different for each child. It was a simple but powerful tool. Same with picture communication systems. It was important to not just learn how to request for material needs like food, sleep, toilet, but also to express the deeper part of their humanity -their need to communicate emotions.

[@valhalla1240]

I was wondering whether the reason why people with alexithymia display a lack of control over their aggressions was because rage is a secondary emotion. It usually follows a primary emotion such as fear. But someone with alexithymia wouldn't recognize their fear. There would be some delay and by that time fear would have turned into rage.

[@bt9124]

spot on

[@feelthebowes]

Perfect description of my better half’s daily rage episodes. I would also say that Alexithymia is a driving force behind the avoidance that she displays when I engage her to communicate in order to resolve a conflict. Especially a conflict that is derived from the bouts of intense emotionality, usually rage, with her closest loved ones, being the most frequent recipients. There is obviously the link with her BPD traits as well.

[@thecreativemastermin]

This video looks like it was made for me. He vocabulary is so, SO ACCURATE!

[@NoahTomato]

Just like discovering alexithymia. You need to be able to “diagnose” the issue, to treat it. And I’m grateful I have self awareness and a degree in psychology. Because I think I just found my problem. Watching dozens of videos on it rn

[@qwedschy8285]

Is alexithymia also linked to having sandwich breath?

[@AmbivalentAlexthymic]

I disagree. I control my emotion TOO MUCH because of alexithymia. But i acquiesce with the therapy.

[@criticadorauniversal]

and what treatment does it offer?

[@GordonGarvey]

I really don't think alexithymia has any correlation with excessive anger.

[@icvideos1621]

The only dynamic emotion my husband exhibits is anger. He can be absolutely hateful and insulting. He never ever says, "I feel......." He can not identify with any emotions. Yes, he has a sense of humor and laughs, but I've never seen anything other than anger as an expressed emotion

[@rubievale]

I suspect I have this, and the only emotion I have access to is anger, or more accurately, rage. It comes on instantly, and it's powerful, but I haven't been in a position where it's been a major issue for quite some time. I don't feel much of anything else. I don't experience love, joy, happiness, sadness, or awe, but I can feel anger. I'm 56, so I've learned to regulate and control it, but when I was younger, I could be a spiteful bastard.

[@rabiez_luvr6910]

@@icvideos1621I think that’s quite common in men with alexthymia. Men have more pressure put on them to channel any emotion they have through aggressive responses/anger other wise they aren’t “”real men””. Alexthymia often eliminates the emotions you “aren’t supposed feel”. I, on the other hand, can’t remember the last time I felt genuine anger towards something. I am a girl, so that probably has something to do with it.

[@icvideos1621]

Thank you for your input.I appreciate it. He doesn't withhold emotion because of what is expected of men. He genuinely can not consciously express or even identify those feelings. He will perspire profusely when he is nervous, but does not know or acknowledge that he is nervous. He does not know what that means to be nervous or jealous, for example@@rabiez_luvr6910

[@youtubefans510]

according to internet alexythymia is mostly linked to trauma , but also prevalent amongst those with autism

[@arasharfa]

how is this different from mentalization based therapy?

[@feelthebowes]

THISSSS!!!!

[@lukabinks1388]

Is there a way to learn this power?

[@WarningBFG-isHiring]

I think I have it because I went to a therapist and couldn’t describe what I felt. Like at all. I didn’t know how I felt. I don’t know how to feel like at all.

[@rahbeeuh]

Understandable. So do you go to another therapist who knows what alexithymia is?

[@icvideos1621]

@@rahbeeuh And good luck finding a therapist who can even admit (in couples counseling) that one of the couple behaves very oddly. Call it what it is! If it is abnormal, say it. How can a therapist help, if an oddiyy isn't addressed as an oddity?

[@faisalbi1330]

Hi there is cognitive behavioral therapy helps emotions come back in the brain?

[@icvideos1621]

My husband doesn't have lack of control over his anger, but he he becomes hostile, insulting and inappropriate when he doesn't know ho to deal with my anger. It immediately becomes an attack on me because I am expressing emotions and feelings that he doesn't have. His is always reactive. I can not be the only one who is angry. If I am angry with him, he has to be angry back....he can never just be sorry and ask what he can do to improve the situation between us. It's hopeless.

[@MmeBlaBlaBlaBla]

Well... With the description you just gave us, it does seem to me like he has a lack of control over his anger.

[@mariac4602]

I think this is where the loved ones of those experiencing any kind of emotional/mental challenge need help and support themselves. We often hear that we need to be compassionate, patient, understanding. All true. But because we are human with our own needs and weaknesses, we cannot always be as compassionate, patient, and understanding as we would like. And so, there also needs to be compassion and support, for those of us who aren't walking away-who are committing to their loved ones-but who are experiencing their own emotional suffering. Perhaps see a therapist yourself to find ways to give yourself the support and respite that you need to keep going in your marriage. I am praying for you.

[@youtubefans510]

he has to let off steam maybe you can bend the situation by reasoning with him so that he calms down

[@Plasmafox]

Awareness... so it's just more mindfulness "hammer therefore nail", and the main motive is stopping people from expressing emotions that are inconvenient for others, like anger and making sure first and foremost that patients maintain *docility.* You're part of the problem.

[@mariac4602]

I don't think this is what she's saying. I think she is trying to help people who don't know WHAT they are feeling, to find ways to uncover the actual emotions they are experiencing. Once you know what you are actually feeling, you are More in control of your life. I have a loved one with this condition, and therapy was a bust and she was confused and felt like a failure because of that but the reality is, she FEELS but isn't sure exactly what she is feeling so often it takes processing through many beliefs about what she feels and why before she has that ah-ha moment and can label what she actually feels. Then you can see her relief because now she feels like she is in control. It's actually liberating for her but she need someone to patiently sit with her for a good few hours each time to allow this process to fully play out. Often her anger is really sadness, or loneliness, or shame or fear. I wonder if the default to anger is because the emotions people experience are So strong and anger is, by it's very nature, a very intense emotion, so people with alexithymia assumes it's anger?

[@natashagates6280]

Not accurate