Adaptive and Maladaptive Bodily Awareness: Distinguishing Interoceptive Sensibility and Interoceptive Attention from Anxiety‐Induced Somatization in Autism and Alexithymia

Dominic A. Trevisan; Wolf E. Mehling; James C. McPartland

doi:10.1002/aur.2458

journal article Dec 18, 2020

Adaptive and Maladaptive Bodily Awareness: Distinguishing Interoceptive Sensibility and Interoceptive Attention from Anxiety‐Induced Somatization in Autism and Alexithymia

Dominic A. Trevisan

Wolf E. Mehling

James C. McPartland

Autism Research Vol. 14 No. 2 pp. 240-247 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/aur.2458

Abstract

There is growing interest in “interoception” (i.e., detection and interpretation of internal body signals) as a relevant mechanism contributing to certain symptoms and features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and alexithymia. However, inconsistent measurement and operationalization of interoception has led to confusion and inconsistent findings in the literature. In this commentary, we present alternative interpretations of findings from existing studies to demonstrate that ASD and alexithymia are conditions associated with reduced adaptive forms of interoceptive attention (i.e., attention toward bodily signals) but heightened maladaptive forms of interoceptive attention related to anxiety‐induced somatization. Differentiating adaptive and maladaptive forms of interoceptive attention reveals a clearer pattern of findings in the research literature for further investigation of interoceptive processes that are involved in the neurobiology of ASD. However, interoception is a complex and multi‐faceted construct that requires continual refinement in conceptualization and operationalization. Interoception research may benefit from self‐report measures that clearly differentiate adaptive and maladaptive forms of bodily awareness.Lay SummarySome research suggests that autistic people have difficulty understanding bodily feelings such as hunger, illness, or emotions, whereas some studies have reported the opposite pattern of findings. We argue that this latter subset of studies reached false conclusions from using measures of bodily awareness that largely measure physical symptoms of anxiety. While attention to unpleasant bodily signals is an important ability necessary for maintaining healthy bodily functioning, excessive attention, and worry toward bodily signals can increase anxiety and be harmful.

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References

Details

Published: Dec 18, 2020
Vol/Issue: 14(2)
Pages: 240-247
License: View

Authors

D

Dominic A. Trevisan

Child Study Center Yale University New Haven CT USA

W

Wolf E. Mehling

Department of Family and Community Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco CA USA; Osher Center for Integrative Medicine University of California San Francisco San Francisco CA USA

J

James C. McPartland

Child Study Center Yale University New Haven CT USA

Cite This Article

Dominic A. Trevisan, Wolf E. Mehling, James C. McPartland (2020). Adaptive and Maladaptive Bodily Awareness: Distinguishing Interoceptive Sensibility and Interoceptive Attention from Anxiety‐Induced Somatization in Autism and Alexithymia. Autism Research, 14(2), 240-247. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2458

Adaptive and Maladaptive Bodily Awareness: Distinguishing Interoceptive Sensibility and Interoceptive Attention from Anxiety‐Induced Somatization in Autism and Alexithymia

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