I was recently diagnosed with this about a week ago, and I received a score of 179. I haven't read much about it yet, but I feel like it all makes sense now. I always told my closest friends that I feel numb...and it's hard to describe what I'm feeling. I know there's a name to what I'm feeling, but I can not get it out there. I was wondering if there is medicine to help this? Maybe something that I can do start feeling?
The posts I've read seem to indicate that really high scores are indicative of comorbid conditions; e.g., Asperger's. Posts I've read by people who score in the high 130s (and lower), seem to indicate their Alexithymia is the result of emotional trauma; i.e., they have emotions that can be resurrected (they might be curable).
I've been considering therapy, but I keep talking mostly out of it. I don't see how it could help any. I see myself handing them a piece of paper, and them not knowing what to do. If I can't describe what I'm feeling, then the conversation just goes dry. I don't think I have Asperger's, but I do have a lot of eating issues that I'm not ready to get help for yet. But maybe you're right, maybe it is from my chaotic childhood. I just feel so numb.
I "said" your high score is probably the result of having a comorbid trait/condition that gives rise to severe Alexithymia. Half of all people with Asperger's have extreme Alexithymia; i.e., they will get a really high score. It sounds like you had emotional trauma in your life, but when your score is really high it implies a comorbid trait (that's what I've noticed from reading posts on this site). Those comorbid traits can't be cured, even though psychologists love to be paid for administering "therapy".
Even if you aren't sure if it would work, it may still be a good idea to try therapy. From what I've read here, therapy seems to have helped some people, so try it out. At worst it will be an awkward waste of time.
