I have questions about alexithymia

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Hi, I'm new here, I'm not sure if I'll stick around, I just have a couple of questions that would help me understand the autism spectrum a little more.
I need answers from people who are alexithymic.

1) Can you feel physical sensations associated to emotions?
For example if you're angry or sad do you feel what most people describe as a knot in the throat, or other physical sensations associated with the two emotions?

2)Are your physical sensations easily perceived by you, or do you find yourself looking for them inside your body when others ask you how you feel?
How many feelings can you identify when you look for their physical signs? Are there any emotions that you don't think you feel?

3)If you injure yourself can you identify the specific type of pain that you're feeling (is it stabbing, throbbing,cramping etc...) or do you feel nothing at all. Can you feel your own heartbeat?

4)When you talk to other people do you care more about their feelings or more about the facts?

5)Can you express genuine feelings? For example do you instinctevely smile when you think something's funny. Or do you have to force yourself to express feelings? Or do you do both? How often do you express emotions?

6)Do you get startled easily?

7)How long does it take for you to realize that you're experiencing an emotion?

8 ) Did someone ever tested you for proprioception problems? If you have this kind of problems, can you tell me how good are you at sports?

Sorry for the questionaire feel free to answer only the questions you want to answer

#1 through #3: No

#4. Sometimes I care too much about the facts; sometimes I care more about peoples' feelings, though.

#5. Usually, I express my feelings normally. Sometimes, I have a "deferred" reaction when something bad happens to another person or to myself. It takes a little time to "digest it.'

#6. Somewhat easily

#7. Sometimes, right away; other times, a few minutes; other times, a few hours.

#8. I was never "good" at sports----but I wasn't extremely bad at them, either. I used to try hard, but never was good enough to make any school teams. I have coordination/proprioception problems sometimes. I can drive, though.


Autism is a spectrum; keep that in mind.

1) Can you feel physical sensations associated to emotions?
For example if you're angry or sad do you feel what most people describe as a knot in the throat, or other physical sensations associated with the two emotions?
yes, but there is usually a delay between when clearly I "should" have become aware of my emotions and actually did

2)Are your physical sensations easily perceived by you, or do you find yourself looking for them inside your body when others ask you how you feel?
How many feelings can you identify when you look for their physical signs? Are there any emotions that you don't think you feel?
I'm struggling to recognize anger in particular and kinda just go from 0-60 but over a period of time, if that makes sense. Eg I'm not really aware I'm angry for a while (but actually clearly i am), and then hit full blast.

3)If you injure yourself can you identify the specific type of pain that you're feeling (is it stabbing, throbbing,cramping etc...) or do you feel nothing at all. Can you feel your own heartbeat?
Yes to all of those.

4)When you talk to other people do you care more about their feelings or more about the facts?
I provide factual solutions rather than emotional ones when others need help. But I get feedback that i am always really supportive and helpful.

5)Can you express genuine feelings? For example do you instinctevely smile when you think something's funny. Or do you have to force yourself to express feelings? Or do you do both? How often do you express emotions?
not sure on that one

6)Do you get startled easily?
yes very, especially by noises but i do have hyperacusis

7)How long does it take for you to realize that you're experiencing an emotion?
often quite a while

8 ) Did someone ever tested you for proprioception problems? If you have this kind of problems, can you tell me how good are you at sports?
not tested. not very well coordinated at all.