[A study of alexithymia in schizophrenia and some somatic diseases].

OBJECTIVE

To study alexithymia in schizophrenia and some somatic diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients with paranoid schizophrenia (ICD-10 F20.0), 55 hypertensive patients with primary heart disease (I11), 53 patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (I25) and 51 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (E10). To assess the manifestations of alexithymia, the Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-26) was used. The Positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was administered to patients with schizophrenia.

RESULTS

The average scores on TAS were higher in patients with schizophrenia compared to patients with somatic diseases (109,73 and 81,66, respectively). During the analysis of responses to TAS statements, features of a general and particular nature were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Alexithymia is not a property characteristic of psychosomatic diseases and neurotic disorders, and is detected in schizophrenic patients and patients with somatic diseases. The relationship of alexithymia with negative symptoms of schizophrenia suggests that it might impact on interpersonal relations, social adaptation and development of autistic symptoms in patients.