Citation

Ebeling HE, Moilanen I, Linna SL, Räsänen E. Nord. J. Psychiatry 2001; 55(6): 387-393.

Affiliation

Oulu University Hospital, Department of Child Psychiatry, Kajaanintie 50, FI-90220 Oulu, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08039480152693273

PMID

11839131

Abstract

The characteristics of five 11- to 15-year-old patients with somatic symptoms and alexithymia in conjunction with psychological distress are reported. The findings are compared with the existing literature. Preceding somatic disorders and difficulties at school and in peer relationships were found. Family violence was evident in two cases. We postulate that the developmental tasks of adolescence were complicated by the threat of disability, disease, and death. The parents were incapable of expressing their feelings either in general or because of their recent traumatic experiences. Our findings suggest that unbearable emotions often precede the combination of preadolescent and adolescent alexithymia and somatization in clinically relevant cases.

Language: en