This review explores alexithymia, a condition characterized by difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions. It discusses the Toronto model, theoretical frameworks, and the connection between alexithymia and depressive symptoms. The overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder, physiological pathways, and bidirectional influences on physical health are examined. The interplay of alexithymia and depression is highlighted. Additionally, the significance of alexithymia in chronic kidney disease and its association with negative illness perceptions and clinical outcomes are discussed. The text emphasizes the need for personalized tools to address these issues in clinical settings and delves into the prevalence of alexithymia in hemodialysis (HD) patients, emphasizing its higher occurrence in this population compared to others. It explores the association between alexithymia, depressive symptoms, and increased mortality risk in HD patients. The potential adverse effects of alexithymia on health outcomes are discussed, including challenges in emotion regulation, misinterpretation of somatic sensations, and difficulties in forming relationships. The study extends its focus to kidney transplant recipients, highlighting the impact of alexithymia on compliance with immunosuppressive therapy and overall quality of life. In a prospective consideration, the text calls for a comprehensive evaluation of alexithymia’s role in shaping the future outcomes of HD patients and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to address emotional needs and optimize patient care. Overall, the text underscores the significance of understanding and addressing alexithymia in improving healthcare outcomes for HD patients and highlights the potential for future research initiatives to inform evidence-based practices in this vulnerable population.

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Alexithymia in Hemodialysis Patients

  • Dunja Degmečić,
  • Đorđe Pojatić,
  • Davorin Pezerović,
  • Ivana Jelinčić

摘要

This review explores alexithymia, a condition characterized by difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions. It discusses the Toronto model, theoretical frameworks, and the connection between alexithymia and depressive symptoms. The overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder, physiological pathways, and bidirectional influences on physical health are examined. The interplay of alexithymia and depression is highlighted. Additionally, the significance of alexithymia in chronic kidney disease and its association with negative illness perceptions and clinical outcomes are discussed. The text emphasizes the need for personalized tools to address these issues in clinical settings and delves into the prevalence of alexithymia in hemodialysis (HD) patients, emphasizing its higher occurrence in this population compared to others. It explores the association between alexithymia, depressive symptoms, and increased mortality risk in HD patients. The potential adverse effects of alexithymia on health outcomes are discussed, including challenges in emotion regulation, misinterpretation of somatic sensations, and difficulties in forming relationships. The study extends its focus to kidney transplant recipients, highlighting the impact of alexithymia on compliance with immunosuppressive therapy and overall quality of life. In a prospective consideration, the text calls for a comprehensive evaluation of alexithymia’s role in shaping the future outcomes of HD patients and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to address emotional needs and optimize patient care. Overall, the text underscores the significance of understanding and addressing alexithymia in improving healthcare outcomes for HD patients and highlights the potential for future research initiatives to inform evidence-based practices in this vulnerable population.