Blood pressure and emotions (Alexithymia)
What is alexithymia?
Alexithymia describes difficulty identifying and expressing feelings. People with alexithymia often have trouble recognizing emotional signals in themselves and others, which can make social interactions and inner emotional life harder. The causes are diverse and can include genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors.
The term alexithymia was coined in the 1970s by psychotherapist John C. Niemah and psychiatrist Peter Emanuel Sifneos. The name comes from Greek (a, lexis and thymos) and roughly means the "inability to read and express feelings." Its estimated that about 8 million people in Germany are affected roughly one in ten. In German, alexithymia is sometimes called "Gefühlsblindheit" or "Gefühlskälte."
People with alexithymia often have difficulties with the following:
- Identifying feelings: They find it hard to recognize and name their own emotions.
- Expressing feelings: They have trouble verbally sharing their emotions with others.
- Understanding emotional reactions: Recognizing and understanding other peoples emotional responses is often a challenge.
- Interpersonal relationships: Building and maintaining relationships can be affected by difficulties in emotional expression.
- Imagination and creativity: They may have a limited imagination and fewer vivid dreams or imaginative thoughts.
How alexithymia and blood pressure interact
Research on alexithymia and blood pressure
Research points to an interesting link between alexithymia and high blood pressure. Here are three notable studies on the topic.
- The study "The effect of alexithymia on morbidity in hypertensives" by B.C. Gage and K.J. Egan, published in 1984 in "Psychother Psychosom," examined the effect of alexithymia on the severity of high blood pressure. They compared hypertensive patients with and without alexithymia regarding the severity of their hypertension, based on diastolic blood pressure, retinal (back-of-the-eye) findings, ECG, chest X-rays, kidney studies, and medical history. The results showed that people with alexithymia had more severe consequences of hypertension than those without, while there was no difference in the degree of arteriosclerosis. This suggests that alexithymia is not only associated with high blood pressure but may also play a role in its development.
- The study "Clinical characteristics of hypertensive disease in patients with alexithymia" by O.V. Lyshova, V.M. Provotorov, and Iu.N. Chernov, published in 2002 in "Kardiologiia," explored links between alexithymic personality traits and more severe clinical forms of hypertension. The study of 202 patients with stage II hypertension found that people with alexithymia had a longer duration of hypertension, more frequent target-organ damage, increased lipid peroxidation processes, reduced antioxidant defense activity, and disturbances in lipid metabolism. Nighttime hypertension or an inadequate drop in blood pressure at night was also more common in people with alexithymia.
- The study "Alexithymia and Hypertension: Does Personality Matter? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" by Marialaura Di Tella et al., published in "Curr Cardiol Rep" in July 2023, carried out a meta-analysis to examine the link between alexithymia and hypertension. The analysis, based on data from 13 studies, shows that alexithymia is significantly more common in people with hypertension than in those without. This suggests that alexithymia may contribute to the onset and persistence of hypertension symptoms, although more research is needed to clarify this relationship.
Conclusion:
The finding of a link between alexithymia and high blood pressure highlights the importance of considering psychological factors when treating and preventing high blood pressure.
For people affected by both alexithymia and hypertension, it can help to develop strategies to better handle and express their emotions. Some practical tips might include:
- Attend therapy: Therapeutic interventions, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, can help improve emotional awareness and the ability to express feelings.
- Keep an emotion diary: Regularly writing down thoughts and feelings can help build awareness of emotional states.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise can lower blood pressure and improve emotional well-being.
- Relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can reduce stress and help you notice and process emotions better.
It also makes sense to seek professional help thats precisely what the field of psychocardiology is for.
These findings underscore how closely physical and mental health are connected. A comprehensive approach that includes both physical and psychological aspects can be crucial for improving the quality of life for people with high blood pressure.
Sources:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 07/2024).
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
