Alexithymia as a health risk and resilience factor: Response to Dr. Davydov

: Kajanoja Jani, Scheinin Noora, Karlsson Linnea, Karlsson Hasse, Karukivi Max

Publisher: Elsevier Inc.

: 2017

: Journal of Psychosomatic Research

: 101

: 135

: 136

: 2

: 0022-3999

: 1879-1360

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.08.007

We thank Dr. Davydov for his interest in our recent publication [1]. His letter pointed out important findings regarding the possible role of Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT) in mental health resilience. Two studies are cited showing that EOT may reduce autonomic and bodily sensation responses as well as attention allocation to sad or dysphoric information [2,3]. The author suggests that EOT may be considered as a resilience factor protecting mood during stressful life-events and surroundings.