The Relationship the dimensions of alexithymia with depression and anxiety in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders

Aim and Alexithymia or emotional inhibition is an important risk factor for psychosomatic disorders such as Gastrointestinal Disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the dimensions of alexithymia with depression and anxiety in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID).Method and Materials: In the descriptive-correlation study, 129 patients with FGID were selected from between referred patients to digestive clinic of the Noor hospital in city Isfahan (during 5 months in 1387). They were investigated using Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Correlation coefficient and Regression analysis. Only the dimension of difficulty identifying feelings has a significant positive correlation with depression, anxiety and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in FGID. This dimension is predictor variance of depression, anxiety and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms. The study emphasize on the role of alexithymia especially its dimension of difficulty identifying feelings to understand the psychopathology of FGID..It appears necessary as a effective factor in treatment process of patients with FGID.