A critique of contributions to the alexithymia symposium

This paper reviews the contributions of Paulson, Demers-Desrosiers and Freyberger et al. to the symposium on alexithymia. Two of these papers discuss strategies for measurement of alexithymia, using established instruments as well as a recently introduced projective test designed to measure one's ability to symbolize. The third paper discusses a treatment approach which is based upon psychodynamic principles, yet has novel and practical modifications in technique. The papers are discussed as clinical contributions to alexithymia research and are critically reviewed in regard to methodology. I contend that much research in alexithymia has not given sufficient attention to research design, thus confusing our understanding and application of the concept.