Alexithymia in medical patients referred to a consultation/liaison service.

Seventy-three medically ill patients referred to a consultation/liaison service over a 4-month period were evaluated for alexithymia. Twenty-two (30%) of these patients had alexithymia. Age, race, and marital status were not associated with alexithymia scores. Patients in lower socioeconomic groups and men had significantly higher scores than their counterparts. The idea that alexithymia is prevalent in individuals with a diagnosis of a "psychosomatic disease" was not supported.