The authors examine the role played by alexithymia in the treatment of various medical and psychiatric disorders, and the post-treatment change of alexithymia. Most studies on patients with complicated grief, gastrointestinal somatization, major depression, substance abuse, and surgery have shown that those with higher alexithymia respond less favourably or more slowly to psychotherapeutic interventions, mostly when insight-oriented approaches are used. Only one published study showed a stable reduction over two years of alexithymia levels in patients with coronary heart disease. Clinicians who treat alexithymic patients should expect therefore fewer and slower treatment progress and implement substantial approaches modifications to their psychotherapeutic approaches.
Alexithymia and treatment outcome: Review on the role of alexithymia [Review sul ruolo dell'alexithymia nell'esito del trattamento]
PORCELLI, PIETRO;
2008-01-01
Abstract
The authors examine the role played by alexithymia in the treatment of various medical and psychiatric disorders, and the post-treatment change of alexithymia. Most studies on patients with complicated grief, gastrointestinal somatization, major depression, substance abuse, and surgery have shown that those with higher alexithymia respond less favourably or more slowly to psychotherapeutic interventions, mostly when insight-oriented approaches are used. Only one published study showed a stable reduction over two years of alexithymia levels in patients with coronary heart disease. Clinicians who treat alexithymic patients should expect therefore fewer and slower treatment progress and implement substantial approaches modifications to their psychotherapeutic approaches.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
