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Further reflections on psychosomatic theory. Alexithymia and interhemispheric specialization

S Shipko

    Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study proposes a neurophysiologic hypothesis for alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing emotions), suggesting a brain hemisphere disconnection contributes to psychosomatic disorders.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Psychosomatic Medicine
    • Psychiatry

    Background:

    • Alexithymia is traditionally explained by psychodynamic theories.
    • Clinical observations suggest a neurophysiologic basis for alexithymia and psychosomatic processes.
    • Existing data support a functional disconnection between the cerebral hemispheres in alexithymia.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To present a neurophysiologic hypothesis for alexithymia.
    • To explain psychosomatic processes through a proposed brain disconnection mechanism.
    • To link the inability to process painful stimuli to psychosomatic illness.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of clinical and laboratory observations of alexithymia.
    • Application of Kaplan and Wogan's experimental analogue of alexithymia.
    • Development of a hypothetical mechanism for interhemispheric functional disconnection.

    Main Results:

    • A functional disconnection between cerebral hemispheres is supported by current data.
    • A proposed mechanism implicates impaired right hemispheric processing of painful stimuli.
    • This mechanism offers an explanation for observed psychosomatic illnesses.

    Conclusions:

    • A neurophysiologic hypothesis, specifically interhemispheric disconnection, provides a useful framework for understanding alexithymia and psychosomatic disorders.
    • The proposed mechanism highlights the role of impaired emotional processing in psychosomatic illness.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate and test this neurophysiologic model.

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