INTJs and alexithymia

[Provoker]

My gf said I have alexithymia the other day: Typical deficiencies may include problems identifying, describing, and working with one's own feelings, often marked by a lack of understanding of the feelings of others; difficulty distinguishing between feelings and the bodily sensations of emotional arousal;[1] confusion of physical sensations often associated with emotions; few dreams or fantasies due to restricted imagination; and concrete, realistic, logical thinking, often to the exclusion of emotional responses to problems. Those who have alexithymia also report very logical and realistic dreams, such as going to the store or eating a meal.[14] Clinical experience suggests it is the structural features of dreams more than the ability to recall them that best characterizes alexithymia.[1]

At the time, I wasn't sure what it meant and when she described some characteristics I objected to being an alexithymic. However, perhaps I do have tendancies. Do any of you have this? If so, discuss. If not, comment.

[TheLastMohican]

So now being a rational, relatively distant and detached person is a mental disorder?

If that's what it is, I might have it. But come on, must every unusual trait have a medical classification, as if it's a bad thing?

[eternaltriangle]

The part about the dreams definitely doesn't resonate for me. My dreams tend to be - not so much fantastic - but clearly have some kind of symbolism to them. Maybe we should describe our dreams?

One of mine from 4 years ago... My brothers were having a party upstairs, which was loud and smelly (one of them smokes). I did not want to be anywhere near it, and so, I went to the basement. However, my basement was not the way my basement is - it was like a giant changing room, with showers at the end. It was entirely covered in these very small square tiles (similar to tiles at a rec centre where I used to swim). The floor was wet and grimy, so I walked on my tip-toes, cringing in disgust. Anyhow, I turned a corner, and in front of me were two people. One was a fat old British man in a wheelchair (with a tartan blanket over his lap). The other was a German, that looked like Otto von Bismarck and wore a blue uniform and a Prussia military helmet. He was pushing the wheelchair. Both looked directly at me, mouths open, and screamed. *dream over*

[bucolic_]

The description of the thought pattern leading to a lack of dreams doesn't sound like a typical INTJ to me. Since when were INTJs known for having a "restricted imagination" and a "concrete" manner of thinking? These both sound directly opposed to the INTJ personality type.

So now being a rational, relatively distant and detached person is a mental disorder?

If that's what it is, I might have it. But come on, must every unusual trait have a medical classification, as if it's a bad thing?

If you can't even understand emotions on a functional level, yes, you have a disorder. This isn't normal, or healthy in the long run. Being an INTJ doesn't give you carte blanche to act emotionally stunted. You shouldn't learn to embrace the deficiencies you're born with.

[pinkroger]

All INTJ's have some of those traits, but not necessarily to the point of disease.

[Antares]

So now being a rational, relatively distant and detached person is a mental disorder?

Yes. To my parents and family, at least. I have very unrealistic and illogical dreams.

[Haphazard]

I do relate to the confusion of physical sensations/emotions. On the rare times when I do get very emotional, I get very, very sick, and it's nearly impossible to snap me out of it. I've always, well, blamed hormones.

I most certainly do not have a restricted imagination. Most would say quite the opposite.

This sounds like an extreme case, but the defining parts of it look like the lack of weird dreams/lack of imagination. I have had some extremely realistic dreams, though, usually when I fall asleep in public places, and I overhear things and I end up remembering things from the dream that aren't true in real life. It's disappointing to dream that you had a day off on Friday when you don't in real life.