Are Alexithymia and interoception linked? Plus how they impact eating behaviours in Autistic and ADHD folk
Alexithymia and interoception are closely linked as they both involve challenges in perceiving and interpreting internal bodily signals, albeit in slightly different ways.
Interoception is the ability to sense and interpret internal bodily signals. These signals include sensations related to hunger, thirst, the need to pass a bowel motion or urinate, temperature, pain, and emotional arousal. Interoceptive awareness allows individuals to understand their body's needs and respond appropriately.
Individuals with alexithymia may struggle to recognise, identify and describe their own emotions, leading to a reduced awareness of their emotional state. This lack of emotional awareness can also extend to physical sensations associated with emotions, such as changes in heart rate, breathing, or muscle tension.
More recent research shows that interoception is the underlying or fundamental neurobiological cause of alexithymia. The ability to feel and notice internal sensations inside our body can provide valuable clues to an emotional experience. For example when your tummy feels empty or you feel light headed this might be a clue that you are feeling hungry, or when your heart beats fast or your chest feels tight this might be a clue that you’re feeling anxious. Your ability to notice and interpret body signals allows you to be more aware of when you are feeling emotions so you are able to support and manage them more effectively.
Many autistic and ADHD folk may experience challenges with interoception and alexithymia. Evidence shows that alexithymia may influence eating behaviours and is linked to perfectionism, emotional eating, loss of control when eating and eating disorders. Interoception can influence body image, eating and feeding behaviours, and other activities of daily living in different ways.
There is no wrong or right way to recognise or feel an emotion, as each individual interprets interoceptive cues uniquely. If you struggle with interoceptive awareness then it’s likely you may also struggle with identifying your emotions (alexithymia).
Both interoception and alexithymia need to be taken into consideration when supporting Autistic and ADHD folk in the Nutrition and Dietetics space, and treatment should be adapted in neurodiversity-affirming ways.
Written by Margo White, your Melbourne-based neurodiversity affirming clinical nutritionist and ND advocate. If you’d like to book a consultation with me, schedule an appointment below.
Reference
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6717524/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5098957/
https://www.kelly-mahler.com/what-is-interoception/interoception-and-alexithymia/
This article is intended as general advice only and does not replace medical advice. It is recommended that you seek personalised advice specific to your individual needs.
