Level, prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of alexithymia in a physician population in Ankara

Abstract

Objective: Alexithymia is a thinking style that emphasizes external stimuli rather than internal emotional experiences, it is characterized by externally oriented thinking (EOT). Alexithymia is associated with depression and many psychiatric disorders. It directly affects mental health but is rarely emphasized in clinical practice. Physicians are at risk of psychiatric disorders. Alexithymia and EOT may contribute to their psychiatric problems. Our aim was to examine alexithymia levels and their sociodemographic correlates in a physician population. Methods: Participants were 83 physicians employed in five hospitals (three education and research hospitals, one state hospital and one university hospital) in Ankara. Participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: The mean TAS-20 score was 44.1±6.3 and 13.25% of the participants were found to be alexithymic. Participants with a psychiatric patient in their family were statistically more likely to have difficulty describing their feelings. EOT was associated with female gender, greater age, seniority in the medical profession, being married, and being born and mostly living in the western region of Turkey. Discussion: EOT may be associated with depression, cultural values and stigmatization. Physicians must be encouraged to discuss and be aware of their EOT to maintain their mental health.