Published on 12, July, 2020
Example 1: At my last psych appointment the pdoc said I looked happy. I didn't think I was.
Example 2: Was recently seen at main hospital emergency department because of chest pains. Tests were ok, but BP was higher than normal . Had to go for follow up the next day . Doctor said it had been raised because I was anxious. Apparently my pulse rate was fast. I hadn't noticed I was anxious.
I don't think it happens all the time ie I sometimes know when I'm anxious etc .
I used to think so but over the last year or two I've learned that I was wrong, so no.
I know that one reason that I became overstressed is down to the fact that I don't notice viscerally - I need to observe my behaviour. Likewise if I'm jumping round the lounge playing with our dogs, I often think "I must be happy".
"Alexithymia" seems to describe this accurately for me.