ALEXITHYMIA AND DEFENSE-MECHANISMS IN MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

The relationship between alexithymia and defense mechanisms was examin ed among 66 patients with myocardial infarction. Alexithymia was great er among patients with acute myocardial infarction than among those wi th old myocardial infarction. Alexithymia was correlated with scores o n measures of the defense mechanisms of denial, negation, repression, and reaction formation. The results suggest the possibility that alexi thymia may be evident when effective coping mechanisms are employed to minimize the severity of perceived threats or conflicts.