**4.7 Alopecia and alexithymia**

Alexithymia is a cognitive disorder related to the identification and expression of emotions. Its basic features can be listed as disorders in emotional awareness, social connectedness, and interpersonal relationships [80]. Although there are conflicting results, there are studies showing a relationship between skin diseases and alexithymia [81]. Features associated with alexithymia have also been found in individuals with alopecia areata. Alexithymia is seen at a higher rate in patients with alopecia areata than in the healthy group [82]. It will be useful to take alexithymia into account when evaluating the psychological state of the patient [83].
