Alexithymia

IS a "new" diagnosis that is often being misunderstood by laypersons as having a lack of emotion. As I understand it, is basically being bewildered by your own feelings. Before I ever found this thing I think I could have described my problems as the textbook definition of this diagnosis to my previous shrink who told me this is "aspbergian" in nature but said there may not be a name yet for what I describe. #1 example is that I am thrilled when another person is in a similar situation to myself, because it tells me how to feel. It clarifies feelings I'm not sure I have or can't identify. There is no other disorder that describes this. It is very troublesome and confusing to live with. The main difference between this and aspbergers is functioning in general. Alexithymics are very "poor" in terms of happiness and social relationships but are higher functioning. They don't contribute anything unique to society but appear completely normal to those who don't know them better. I think it really comes down to the fact that Alexithymic people can develop social skills but aspergians to some degree just can't.