Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Regular Article

Factors Associated with Alexithymia in Patients Suffering from Depression

Honkalampi K. · Saarinen P. · Hintikka J. · Virtanen V. · Viinamäki H.

Author affiliations

Department of Psychiatry, Research and Development Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

Keywords: Affective symptomsDepressionQuality of lifeRisk factorsSleep disorder

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Psychother Psychosom 1999;68:270–275
https://doi.org/10.1159/000012343

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Regular Article

Published online: September 10, 1999
Issue release date: September – October

Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 3

ISSN: 0033-3190 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0348 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PPS

Abstract

Background: We studied the factors associated with alexithymia in 137 depressed outpatients. Methods: Diagnosis of depression was confirmed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Alexithymia was screened using the 20-item version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Severity of depression was assessed using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory, and other psychiatric symptoms with the help of the Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90). Life satisfaction was also assessed with a structured scale. Results: Almost half of the patients were considered alexithymic. They were significantly more often male, unmarried and had a lower education than the nonalexithymic patients. Alexithymic patients more often showed psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90) and were also more often severely depressed and dissatisfied with their life than were the other patients. Logistic regression analyses revealed that four factors were independently associated with alexithymia: male gender, a low level of education, low life satisfaction and severe depression. Sleep disturbances were independently associated with alexithymia in men and severe depression in women. Conclusions: Alexithymia is very common among patients with depressive disorder. An awareness of these risk factors would be useful in improving the efficacy of treatment.



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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Regular Article

Published online: September 10, 1999
Issue release date: September – October

Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 3

ISSN: 0033-3190 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0348 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PPS

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1999, Vol.68, No. 5

September – October

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