ALEXITHYMIA IN “CONDITIONALLY HEALTHY” PEOPLE: DIFFICULTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF CORRECTION

Abstract

The aim of the article is a theoretical analysis of the problem of alexithymia, difficulties and possibilities of its correction.The scientific research was based on the use of theoretical methods, namely: analysis of the problem of alexithymia, consideration of its genesis, structural analysis, generalization of research reflecting the accumulated experience of alexithymia correction and modeling of appropriate corrective effects.Alexithymia is considered by us as a heterogeneous multifaceted phenomenon. Heterogeneous phenomenon, because it can be caused by various factors or their interaction: psychophysiological factors of different origin (genetic, congenital, acquired); psychotraumatic (consequences of untreated traumatic experience experienced both in childhood and in adulthood, unconstructive immature mechanisms of psychological protection); problems of early child development, psychological and pedagogical factors (consequences of "child-mother" relationship disorders, unconstructive attitude to the child, unreliable attachment style, overprotective style and hidden rejection), psychocultural (devaluation of the emotional sphere in culture, focus on external thinking and adaptive behavior). Alexithemia has different but closely related components (or aspects), each of which must be taken into account in the strategy of correction of alexithymic manifestations. Emotional, somatic, cognitive, behavioral, reflexive-semantic aspects are characterized. An integrative model of prevention and overcoming of alexithymic manifestations in “conditionally healthy” people should take into account the specifics and all aspects of this phenomenon. The model should be based on the integration of the achievements of existential-humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, body-oriented approaches and, if possible, environmental.Thus, the heterogeneous multifaceted phenomenon of alexithymia can act as 1) a protective temporary reaction to adverse factors, 2) a human condition that can become entrenched, become habitual (but can be overcome), 3) a property that is difficult to correct. If alexithymia as a reaction performs a protective function, then as a habitual state and, especially, a stable property (trait) of a person becomes a factor that hinders a person’s personal development (in particular, the formation of a stable positive self-concept). An integrative model of prevention and overcoming of alexithymic manifestations in the context of personal development of "conditionally healthy" people is proposed.