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.Abstract Teaser