Alexithymia and defense mechanisms in myocardial infarction.

The relationship between alexithymia and defense mechanisms was examined among 66 patients with myocardial infarction. Alexithymia was greater among patients with acute myocardial infarction than among those with old myocardial infarction. Alexithymia was correlated with scores on measures of the defense mechanisms of denial, negation, repression, and reaction formation. The results suggest the possibility that alexithymia may be evident when effective coping mechanisms are employed to minimize the severity of perceived threats or conflicts.