Emotional mutism: what it is and what are its symptoms

Emotions are essential for human beings. That is why psychology has always been interested in them, in how they influence our thinking, our behavior, our relationships and even our mental health.

In recent decades, the concept of emotional intelligence has been gaining ground in the world of behavioral science since the Research confirms time and time again that the correct expression and regulation of emotions favors the mental well-being of individuals. individuals. However, some individuals may have difficulties in relation to their emotions. It is what is known as emotional mutism..

• Related article: “What is emotional intelligence? Discovering the importance of emotions”

What is emotional mutism

Emotional mutism is a concept that is often used to refer to the alexithymia, which is the inability to express our own emotions and which may be the consequence of a neurological disorder or pathology, for example, conduct disorder either post traumatic stress disorder.

But emotional mutism does not affect all people the same, since there are two types of mutism: primary and secondary. Primary mutism is the most serious and is caused by a brain lesion. For example, due to a 

ictus or multiple sclerosis. Likewise, the symptoms of emotional mutism can appear in individuals with autism either parkinson (during the early stage of development). ADHD patients can also suffer from this disorder.

Secondary emotional mutism is one that has its origin in poor learning or is the consequence of some disorder that makes impossible the correct recognition and emotional expression. For example. Post-traumatic stress that appears after sexual abuse. Studies affirm that 30% of individuals affected with some psychological disorder may suffer from emotional mutism.

Symptoms of this disorder

Although emotional mutism can appear as a lack of emotional expression, the problem is much deeper, since the lack of expression also has to do with problems identifying emotions and interpretation of the mind of others (theory of mind), that is, their thoughts or emotional states.

In summary, the symptoms of emotional mutism are:

• Difficulty identifying and interpreting the thoughts, emotions, and feelings of others
• Limited understanding of what causes feelings
• Difficulty expressing feelings and emotions, recognizing them and using them as internal signals
• Difficulty recognizing facial cues in others
• Problems in localizing the sensations of the own body
• Tendency to use action as a coping strategy in conflict situations
• Cognitive rigidity
• Concretist thinking, devoid of symbols and abstractions

Although emotional mutism does not appear in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), these symptoms are characteristic of many psychological disorders. Emotional mutism is not necessarily a pathology, but can appear as part of a disorder or as a consequence of a brain injury.

Types of emotional mutism

As I have commented in the previous lines, emotional mutism can appear for different reasons.

These causes serve to classify the different types of emotional mutism. There is primary and secondary emotional mutism.

Primary emotional mutism

The causes of primary emotional mutism are biological, that is, there is a neurological deficit that affects the connection between the limbic system and the neocortex, For example. The limbic system manages emotions and the neocortex could be said to be our emotional brain. However, primary emotional mutism can also appear due to a communication problem between the right and left hemispheres. Very roughly, we could say that the first regulates emotions and the second language.

The origin of these events may be hereditary, or may be due to a neurological disease such as Parkinson's.

Secondary emotional mutism

This type of emotional mutism usually appears as a consequence of a traumatic experience. in which the person has suffered so much that he may be affected. For example, in the case of post-traumatic stress caused by a rape or by the experiences of a war, etc.

However, emotional mutism also appears as a symptom of other psychopathologies or deficient learning, for example, in the case of depressive disorder, bad emotional education or the different disorders of feeding.

Treatment and intervention

The treatment of emotional mutism can be complex, mainly because the patient will rarely seek help, but rather a family member or friend who will participate in the request for assistance. The reason why the affected person does not go for help is due to a lack of awareness of the problem. This makes the family become indispensable in these cases. Only with their collaboration and support can the treatment have an effect.

Because the causes can be varied, the treatment can also be. However, the intervention is usually carried out with three options: the administration of drugs (when the individual suffers primary emotional mutism), psychotherapy and a planned life strategy (this is why support is so important familiar).

Psychological therapy may be different depending on the type of emotional mutism, since those treatment strategies focused on improving emotional intelligence may only be effective for secondary emotional mutism.

The development of empathy has also been shown to be effective in patients affected by ADHD. In these cases, some of the activities that can be carried out are:

• Improvement of self-awareness and observation of one's own emotions.
• Observing the emotions of others.
• The ability to understand, label, and regulate one's emotions.
• Learn to express emotions.
• Speak freely about emotions and do not hide emotional difficulties.
• Learn to solve problems and work on coping style and decision making.
• Work self-motivation and learn to persevere in the goals and objectives.