Is alexithymia common with autism?

Is alexithymia common with autism?

Alexithymia is a term to describe problems with feeling emotions. In Greek, it loosely translates to “no words for emotion.” It is estimated that 1 in 10 people has alexithymia, but it is much more common in those with depression and in autistic people. 1 in 5 autistic people have alexithymia.

Are people with ASD more sensitive?

Up to 90 percent of people with autism are either overly sensitive to sound, sight, taste, smell or touch, or barely notice them at all. Some seek out sensations by, for example, spinning in circles or stroking items with particular textures.

Which associated disorders are common with autism?

Medical Conditions Associated with Autism

• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
• Epilepsy.
• Feeding issues.
• Disrupted sleep.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Can you have alexithymia and not be autistic?

Although individuals on the autism spectrum experience alexithymia at much higher rates than the general population, autism and alexithymia appear to be distinct, unrelated, and overlapping conditions in which alexithymia seems to influence affective empathy.

Can you be autistic without alexithymia?

Alexithymia is neither necessary nor sufficient for an autism diagnosis, nor is it universal among autistic individuals. Conversely, many individuals show severe degrees of alexithymia without demonstrating autistic symptoms.

Why does my autistic son smell me?

Children with ASD may be hypersensitive to smell. Some may experience it more intensely, while some may want to smell everything that interests them. Children may use smelling as a way of exploring their environment or as a way of becoming oriented and comfortable with a particular object.

What causes anxiety in autism?

Some of the common triggers for anxiety in autistic children include: changes in routine – for example, not going to a weekly piano lesson because the teacher is sick. changes in environment – for example, a new house, new play equipment at the local park, or furniture in different places at home.

Can alexithymia be a sign of autism?

At the same time, alexithymia doesn’t preclude acting in a prosocial and moral fashion. Indeed, one of our studies shows exactly this in individuals with autism. Although people who have alexithymia but not autism find it acceptable to say hurtful things to others, people who have both autism and alexithymia do not.

What is the difference between alexithymia and Asperger’s syndrome?

Whereas Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder, Alexithymia may be more of a personality trait. Despite the apparent overlap between the disorders, aetiological differences may exist. One point of difference may lie in the genetic and neurochemical underpinnings of the disorders.

What is it like to have Asperger’s syndrome?

Persons with Asperger’s syndrome have similar problems. They have problems with social “know-how,” have empathy deficit and are often very over controlling, and have difficulty reading the non-verbal cues other people demonstrate in social interaction.

Is there a disorder similar to alexithymia?

Indeed there is an earlier disorder called Pensee Operatoire (operative thinking) described by Marty and de M’Uzan (1963)where there is a similar utilitarian thinking style to that seen in Alexithymia and indeed Asperger’s disorder.