Can alexithymia get worse?

After decades of therapists noting "You're very much in your head aren't you?" and having to interrupt my logical analysis of something with "No, I asked how you *feel* about it.", I've realised that alexithymia could be written on the inside of my eyelids.

For decades I struggled with depression, which I'm managing so, so much better now I have the explanatory framework of autism, and despite also having Seasonal Affective Disorder I'm actually doing OK for the grey end of January.

However, my current (last month, last quarter, can't exactly remember) mood is best described as "OK, content, no worries, chilled, meh" and I have a distinct lack of joy, excitement, anticipation that I remember having vague glimpses of during my younger years. Of course, many of the things that provoked excitement were things that I was encountering for the first time (new cars, motorbikes, girlfriends, different sorts of clouds, things to photograph, radio equipment, mathematical concepts, scientific theories, new telescopes). So I can't expect "new exciting things" to go on forever.

I'm rambling now - any thoughts?

Parents
  • I saw this on facebook recently and think it will help me.

  • I’ve got that too. The wheel. I’m just not sure what emotion should I pick? I’m fine with primary ones but secondary and tertiary? I’m not sure. If I’m angry I know I’m angry and that’s it. If I’m sad - I’m sad. I’m not even sure why and what I feel most of the time. Mostly I’m just “OK”, “neutral”, “so-so” or “tired”. And I know I’ve got strong emotions because certain things and situations make me laugh or cry but I wouldn’t be able to tell what I feel (even with the emotion wheel) - just overwhelmed by inseparable mixture of emotions (sadness/happiness/anger)

Reply
  • I’ve got that too. The wheel. I’m just not sure what emotion should I pick? I’m fine with primary ones but secondary and tertiary? I’m not sure. If I’m angry I know I’m angry and that’s it. If I’m sad - I’m sad. I’m not even sure why and what I feel most of the time. Mostly I’m just “OK”, “neutral”, “so-so” or “tired”. And I know I’ve got strong emotions because certain things and situations make me laugh or cry but I wouldn’t be able to tell what I feel (even with the emotion wheel) - just overwhelmed by inseparable mixture of emotions (sadness/happiness/anger)

Children
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