Alexithymia in patients with antisocial personality disorder in a military hospital setting

We investigated the prevalence of alexithymic features and other psychometric correlates in patients diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder in a military hospital setting. Forty soldiers diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder in a general military hospital and 50 normal soldiers with no known medical or psychiatric disorder were assessed by sociodemographic data form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)-26 items, the Beck Depression Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Antisocial patients showed significantly higher rates of unemployment, lower educational and socioeconomic status, higher rates of self mutilation, previous suicide attempts, substance abuse, history of incarceration and broken family bonds. The patient group also displayed significantly higher scores on alexithymia, depression, hopelessness and general psychological distress measures. Alexithymia was not associated with other psychological measures but was associated with socioeconomic and educational status. The failure in the socialization process of these patients may pave the way for an inability to identify and communicate their feelings. To draw a more definitive conclusion on this issue, a study which recruits ASPD patients from the community and compares them with a sociodemographically matched patient control group is necessary.