title: Alexithymia and solace.
abstract: Thirteen alexithymic patients and 13 panic disorder patients were compared with matched controls regarding their use of self-solacing strategies. Whereas the panic disorder group used significantly more (p less than 0.001) solacing objects, activities and sounds than normals, the alexithymic subjects used significantly fewer self-solacing strategies (p less than 0.001). In view of the developmental, clinical and subjective importance of the ability to solace oneself, the hypothesis that alexithymia may, in some cases, represent a basic feeling deficit is supported.
authors.affiliation: Child Guidance Clinic for Central Connecticut, Inc., Meriden.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gewirtz
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kreutter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic