Blood Pressure and Emotions (Alexithymia)
What is Alexithymia?
Alexithymia describes a difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings. People with alexithymia often struggle to recognize emotional signals in themselves and others, leading to challenges in social interactions and internal experiences. The causes of alexithymia 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 translates to the "inability to read and express feelings." It is estimated that around 8 million people are affected in Germany, which is roughly one in ten. The German term for alexithymia is "Gefühlsblindheit" or "Gefühlskälte."
Individuals 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 expressing their emotions to others.
- Understanding emotional reactions: Recognizing and understanding the emotional reactions of others is often a challenge.
- Interpersonal relationships: Building and maintaining relationships can be hindered by difficulties in emotional expression.
- Imagination and creativity: They experience limited imagination and have less imaginative dreams or thoughts.
Interaction between Alexithymia and Blood Pressure
Research on Alexithymia and Blood Pressure
Research findings indicate an interesting connection between alexithymia and high blood pressure. We present three exciting studies on this 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," examines the influence of alexithymia on the severity of hypertension. They compared hypertensive patients with and without alexithymia regarding the severity of their hypertension, based on diastolic blood pressure, fundus examination, ECG, chest X-rays, kidney studies, and patient history. The results showed that individuals with alexithymia had more severe hypertension consequences than those without, with no difference in the severity of arteriosclerosis noted. This suggests that alexithymia is not only correlated 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 the relationships between alexithymic personality traits and more severe clinical manifestations of hypertension. The investigation of 202 patients with stage II hypertension showed that individuals 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. Additionally, nocturnal hypertension or insufficient nocturnal blood pressure decline was more common among those 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, conducts a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and hypertension. The analysis is based on data from 13 studies and shows that alexithymia occurs significantly more frequently in people with hypertension than in those without. This suggests that alexithymia may contribute to both the onset and persistence of hypertension symptoms, although further research is needed to clarify this relationship.
Conclusion:
The discovery of the connection between alexithymia and high blood pressure underscores the importance of considering psychological factors in the treatment and prevention of hypertension.
For those affected by alexithymia and hypertension, it may be helpful to develop strategies to better cope with and express their emotions. Some tips for those affected could include:
- Participating in therapy: Therapeutic interventions, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, can help improve emotional awareness and expressiveness.
- Keeping an emotion diary: Regularly noting thoughts and feelings can help develop a better awareness of emotional states.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise can lower blood pressure while also enhancing emotional well-being.
- Relaxation techniques: Practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can reduce stress and help better perceive and process feelings.
Of course, it also makes sense to seek professional help. There is a reason why the field of psychocardiology exists.
These findings highlight how closely physical and mental health are interconnected. A comprehensive approach that considers both physical and psychological aspects can be crucial in improving the quality of life for people with high blood pressure.
Sources:
By Horst Klier.
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (07/2024).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
