Assessment Tools & Online Resources
This page contains assessment tools, online questionnaires, and digital resources for understanding and evaluating alexithymia. These tools are valuable for self-assessment, research, and clinical evaluation.
Assessment Tools
Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)
The most widely used and validated assessment tool for alexithymia.
Official Information: University of Toronto Research
Key Features: - 20-item self-report questionnaire - Three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, externally oriented thinking - Validated across multiple cultures and populations - Gold standard for alexithymia assessment
Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ)
Alternative assessment tool with cognitive and affective subscales.
Research Information: BVAQ Validation Study
Key Features: - 40-item questionnaire - Separate cognitive and affective alexithymia subscales - Useful for research and clinical applications - Provides more detailed assessment than TAS-20
Online Alexithymia Questionnaire
Free, accessible online assessment developed for community use.
Take the Assessment: Alexithymia.us Test
Key Features: - Free and anonymous - Developed in 2005, updated regularly - Overcomes some limitations of traditional questionnaires - Includes helpful FAQ and interpretation guidance
Emotional Intelligence Assessment
Broader assessment of emotional skills and awareness.
Take the Test: Psychology Today EQ Test
Key Features: - Comprehensive emotional intelligence evaluation - Covers emotional awareness, regulation, and social skills - Useful complement to alexithymia-specific assessments - Professional interpretation available
Digital Tools and Apps
Emotion Tracking Apps
Mood Meter - Research-based emotion tracking from Yale University - Helps identify and track emotional states - Provides emotion vocabulary building - Available for iOS and Android
Daylio - Simple mood tracking with customizable emotions - Quick daily mood logging - Pattern recognition and insights - Correlation tracking with activities and habits
eMoods - Mood tracking designed for mental health - Detailed emotion and symptom tracking - Medication and therapy tracking - Export data for healthcare providers
Mindfulness and Meditation Apps
Headspace - Guided meditation with emotion-focused sessions - Specific programs for emotional awareness - Beginner-friendly approach - Progress tracking and reminders
Calm - Meditation and relaxation with body awareness - Daily mindfulness sessions - Sleep stories and relaxation techniques - Anxiety and stress management tools
Insight Timer - Free meditation with community features - Thousands of guided meditations - Body scan and awareness practices - Timer for silent meditation
Emotion Recognition Tools
Feeling Wheel Apps - Digital emotion vocabulary tools - Visual emotion identification - Expanded emotional vocabulary - Helpful for describing feelings
Emotion Regulation Apps - DBT and CBT-based tools - Distress tolerance skills - Emotion regulation strategies - Crisis management techniques
Educational Websites
Research Institutions
University of Toronto Alexithymia Research Clinical Psychology Research - Leading research on alexithymia assessment - TAS-20 development and validation - Current research projects and findings
Yale University Emotion & Cognition Lab Research and Resources - Cutting-edge emotion research - Practical applications of emotion science - Educational materials and tools
International Society for Research on Emotion (ISRE) Professional Organization - Global emotion research community - Conference proceedings and publications - Professional development resources
Professional Organizations
American Psychological Association APA Alexithymia Resources - Professional guidelines and research - Clinical practice recommendations - Continuing education resources
Center for Mindfulness (UMass Medical School) Mindfulness Programs - Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - Research on mindfulness and emotional awareness - Training programs for professionals
Assessment Guidelines
Using Online Assessments
Important Considerations: - Online tests are screening tools, not diagnostic instruments - Results should be interpreted with caution - Professional assessment recommended for comprehensive evaluation - Multiple factors can influence results (mood, fatigue, stress)
Best Practices: - Take assessments when calm and focused - Answer honestly and thoughtfully - Consider taking multiple assessments for comparison - Discuss results with healthcare providers if needed
Professional Assessment
When to Seek Professional Evaluation: - Significant impact on relationships or daily functioning - Co-occurring mental health concerns - Need for comprehensive psychological evaluation - Seeking therapy or treatment planning
Types of Professional Assessment: - Clinical interviews with trained professionals - Comprehensive psychological testing - Neuropsychological evaluation if indicated - Integration with medical and psychiatric evaluation
Research and Validation
Assessment Reliability
TAS-20 Validation: - Validated in over 30 languages - Consistent reliability across cultures - Strong psychometric properties - Widely used in research and clinical practice
BVAQ Validation: - Good internal consistency and test-retest reliability - Useful for distinguishing cognitive and affective alexithymia - Validated in multiple populations - Complementary to TAS-20 assessment
Current Research
Ongoing Studies: - Cross-cultural validation of assessment tools - Development of new measurement approaches - Integration with neuroimaging and physiological measures - Assessment in specific populations (autism, depression, etc.)
Interpretation and Next Steps
Understanding Results
High Alexithymia Scores: - Indicate difficulty with emotional awareness and expression - Not a diagnosis or pathology - Suggest areas for potential development - May benefit from targeted interventions
Moderate Scores: - Some challenges with emotional processing - Selective difficulties in certain areas - May benefit from awareness and skill building - Consider specific subscale patterns
Low Scores: - Good emotional awareness and expression - May still benefit from emotional skill development - Consider other factors affecting emotional well-being - Useful baseline for future comparison
Resources for Further Development
- Professional therapy and counseling
- Mindfulness and meditation training
- Emotion regulation skill building
- Support groups and community resources
Assessment tools and resources are continuously updated based on new research and community feedback. Always consult with qualified professionals for comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning.