How long does this quiz take?

It takes about 6-8 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

What aspects of emotional processing does this test measure?

This assessment measures three key areas related to emotion blindness: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and an externally oriented thinking style.

Are the results of this test a formal medical diagnosis?

No, this quiz is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. A formal diagnosis of alexithymia must be made by a qualified mental health professional.

Discover if you struggle with identifying and describing your feelings by taking this free emotional awareness assessment.

Alexithymia Scale

Take the test below.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

The concept of 'emotion blindness,' or alexithymia, describes a person's difficulty in identifying, processing, and describing their own feelings. It's more than just being "not emotional"; it’s a deep disconnect where a person may be physically distressed but cannot label the feeling as sadness, anger, or fear, often mistaking the emotional distress for a purely physical ailment.

Identifying this trait is a critical first step toward improving emotional literacy and enhancing overall psychological health. This condition can profoundly affect interpersonal relationships and decision-making, as being unaware of your emotional state makes it challenging to communicate needs or understand the feelings of others. By taking this test, you gain a clearer picture of your internal emotional world.

Our Alexithymia Test is a quick, confidential way to assess your level of emotional awareness, inspired by scientific frameworks. Recognizing a struggle in this area can be life-changing, leading to more informed choices about therapy and personal growth. If you are interested in other areas of your emotional life, you may also wish to take our Emotional Quotient Inventory or our Fear of Intimacy Scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about 6-8 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Alexithymia Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Alexithymia Scale results may have changed.
What aspects of emotional processing does this test measure?: This assessment measures three key areas related to emotion blindness: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and an externally oriented thinking style.
Are the results of this test a formal medical diagnosis?: No, this quiz is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. A formal diagnosis of alexithymia must be made by a qualified mental health professional.

Alexithymia Scale: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Emotional Awareness

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. Understanding my emotions is not a high priority for me.

2. Describing my emotional response toward other people is difficult.

3. Others have suggested I need to express my feelings more often.

4. I often feel disconnected from what is happening internally.

5. I frequently don't understand the source of my anger.

6. I would rather discuss daily events with people than their personal emotions.

7. I enjoy easy-going entertainment more than programs that focus on psychological depth.

8. I struggle to share my deepest feelings, even with those I trust most.

9. Achieving a feeling of closeness with others is hard, particularly during quiet moments.

10. I don't believe analyzing my feelings helps me resolve personal issues.

11. Searching for symbolic meaning in art or media detracts from my enjoyment.

12. I frequently struggle to know what specific emotion I am experiencing.

13. Naming my feelings with the correct words is challenging for me.

14. I experience bodily sensations that are hard to explain, even to a professional.

15. I find it hard to articulate my feelings clearly.

16. I prefer discussing the facts of a problem over deeply analyzing its causes.

17. When distressed, I often cannot tell if I am feeling sad, fearful, or angry.

18. My physical sensations often confuse me.

19. I prefer to accept outcomes as they are rather than trying to understand the reasons behind them.

20. There are feelings I experience that I can't quite put my finger on.

21. It's easier for me to focus on external events than on my inner reactions to them.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Alexithymia Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1993). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale—I. Item selection and cross-cultural validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 23-32.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.