Understanding Your Mindscape: A Lexicon of Therapy Terms, Mental Health Symptoms, and Ways to Support Your Well-Being.

by Louisa Steiger, MD, MPH

Alexithymia

Ever have trouble telling someone how you feel? Or even naming the emotion for yourself? You’re not alone. This is such a common phenomenon that there is even a word for it: alexithymia. I have always found languages to be really cool and what I love about the term “alexithymia” is that its roots tell you exactly what it means. It is derived from the following Greek roots:

-”a” meaning “without”

-”lexi” meaning “word”

-”thymia” meaning “emotion”

Common Reasons People Struggle to Name Emotions

There are many reasons someone might have difficulty recognizing or expressing their emotions:

• Never learning how to name emotions growing up

• Chronic stress or prolonged overwhelm

• Neurodivergence

• Traumatic experiences

• Family or cultural environments that discourage emotional expression

  
  

Understanding a term like this can be clarifying. Naming emotions reduces shame, decreases confusion, and can help you communicate your inner experiences more effectively.

Supporting Yourself if Naming Emotions Is Hard

If you relate to alexithymia, here are some strategies to build emotional awareness:

1. Notice physical sensations

Emotions often show up in the body first: racing heart, tight chest, or tense shoulders. Observing these sensations can help you identify feelings.

2. Start with broad emotion categories

Try simple families of emotions: sad, angry, scared, joyful, tender, energized.

3. Build your emotional vocabulary gradually

Use emotion wheels, lists, or journaling prompts to expand the words you use for your feelings.

4. Slow down and check in with yourself

Emotional awareness takes time and space—something modern life rarely offers without intention.

5. Work with a therapist

Psychotherapy can help you develop emotional insight and awareness over time.

Why a Lexicon of Mental Health and Therapy Terms Matters

This post is part of our series Understanding Your Mindscape, created to help you:

• Build a clear emotional vocabulary

• Learn common therapy terms and mental health symptoms

• Recognize patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

• Find ways to support your mental well-being

  
  

Having language for your experiences doesn’t replace therapy—but it makes care more effective. When you can articulate what’s happening inside, you can advocate for yourself, connect with others, and understand your mind better.

Next Steps: Exploring Your Mindscape

In upcoming posts, we’ll explore more therapy terms and mental health concepts—some familiar, some new. Our goal is to provide you with a practical mental health glossary that empowers you to understand your mind and supports your journey toward well-being.

Understanding your mind, recognizing mental health symptoms, and naming emotions are powerful first steps to self-awareness and emotional growth.