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Alexithymia and Impoverished Dream Content: Evidence From Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Awakenings

From the Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Address reprint requests to: James D. A. Parker, PhD, Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9H 7B8. Email: jparker{at}trentu.ca

OBJECTIVE: Despite the repeated suggestion in the literature of an association between impoverished dream processes and alexithymia, little systematic research has been conducted.

METHODS: Eight nonclinical adults scoring in the alexithymia range and eight nonclinical adults scoring in the nonalexithymia range on a measure of alexithymia were awakened for dream reports during their second, third, and fourth rapid eye movement periods on the second of two consecutive polygraphically monitored nights in a sleep laboratory.

RESULTS: The alexithymic and nonalexithymic groups did not differ in the number of dreams reported or the number of words used in the description of their dreams. The two groups also did not differ in their self-reports of the emotional valence associated with their dream experiences. In contrast, the dream reports of the alexithymic group were rated as less fantastic than the dream reports of the nonalexithymic group.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide additional evidence that alexithymia involves restricted imaginative processes.

Key Words: alexithymia • dreams • imaginative processes

Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance; BDI = Beck DepressionInventory; EEG = electroencephalogram; EMG = electromyogram; EOG = electrooculogram; REM = rapid eye movement; TAS-20= Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

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