Comments on: Do You Have Alexithymia?

By: Madison

Madison — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 05:12:54 +0000

I have not started this process yet (I will start after commenting), but I wanted to say thank you for posting this. I have a great life yet I sometimes struggle to enjoy it, and I honestly feel that reading this unlocked something within me. I have been taking medication for depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, with very little results. I want to improve myself mentally, without medication. I want to learn to be better and I think this will help. Thank you so much

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:37:32 +0000

But what happens when you do the exercise, ask yourself the question, and the answer is, “Nothing at all.” Whenever I try to focus on mindfulness, meditate, etc., all I feel is nothingness. Blankness. I just picture the blank screen — nothing ever appears on it. The only emotions I seem to be able to feel are fear, anger, and hate. What does that mean?

By: Jonice Webb

Jonice Webb — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 16:40:17 +0000

In reply to Jay.

Jay, watch for future articles on what to do with feelings once you’re able to get in touch with them and identify them. You are right; that’s only the first step. To answer your therapy question, I suggest that you take a copy of Running on Empty to your therapist and ask him/her to look at it and go through with you. Most therapists will understand the concept and its importance and will be able to work with you on it. No good therapist will think you are complaining and over-dramatizing! I also wrote a blog post about finding a good therapist to help with CEN and you can see it here: http://www.drjonicewebb.com/how-to-find-a-good-cen-therapist/. All the best!

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 15:02:53 +0000

Thank you for writing more about CEN – there seems to be so much information and advice out there on child abuse or violence (which is great) but so little on CEN, though it can have such significant challenging effects on some of our lives in adulthood.
One thing though that is a challenge with the exercise that you recommend – as someone who experienced CEN and also who is highly sensitive and hence find myself having to override my needs continuously in our society, it seems pointless to even try to feel what the specific emotion of the moment may be, since what does it matter if one is then simply going to have to override it anyway in order to function in this society?
I would really like to hear advice on this and also how to ask a therapist whether they think you might have CEN, without sounding like a complaining over-dramatizing client.
Thanks!