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Übersichtsarbeit

Alexithymie, traumatischer Stress und posttraumatische Belastungsstörung – Befunde aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung

Published Online:February 28, 2015https://doi.org/10.1024/1661-4747/a000137

Abstract

Theoretische Modelle und empirische Befunde legen einen Zusammenhang zwischen Alexithymie, traumatischen Erlebnissen und der Diagnose einer posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTSD) nahe, wobei die Befundlage nicht einheitlich ist und sich überwiegend auf klinische bzw. spezifische Populationen stützt. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersuchten wir 2098 Probanden aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung mit Selbstbeurteilungsinstrumenten zu Alexithymie (Toronto-Alexithymie-Skala; TAS-20) und aktueller Depressivität (Beck Depressions Inventar; BDI-II) sowie dem PTSD-Modul des Strukturierten Klinischen Interviews (SKID-I). Probanden mit einer PTSD hatten signifikant höhere Alexithymie-Werte in allen Dimensionen als traumatisierte Personen ohne PTSD und nicht-traumatisierte Erwachsene, auch unter Kontrolle relevanter konfundierender Variablen. Wurde zusätzlich Depressivität berücksichtigt, fanden sich diese Zusammenhänge nicht mehr. Diese Befunde werden in die bisherige Datenlage eingebettet und hinsichtlich der phänomenologischen Überschneidungen posttraumatischer Symptome wie abgeflachte emotionale Reagibilität, Depressivität und Alexithymie diskutiert.


Alexithymia, traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder: Findings from the general population

Theoretical models and empirical findings have suggested a relationship between alexithymia, traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, findings are not conclusive and have been based on clinical and specific samples. Considering this, 2098 adults from the general population were administered self-report measures for alexithymia (Toronto-Alexithymia-Scale TAS-20), and current depression (Beck Depression Inventory BDI-II). We also performed the PTSD module of the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I). PTSD positive subjects had significantly higher alexithymia scores in all dimensions of the TAS-20 than traumatized individuals without PTSD and non-traumatized adults, even when controlling for potential confounding factors. Taking current depression into account, these associations were not replicated. Our findings are discussed in light of prior research, and with respect to the phenomenological overlap of posttraumatic symptoms such as emotional numbing, alexithymia, and depression.

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