A media report published in the Austrian newspaper “Kurier” at the beginning of January 2024 addresses a previously largely unknown phenomenon: alexinomia. In an interview with Marlene Patsalidis (Kurier), psychologist Ass.-Prof. Thomas Ditye, MRes PhD (SFU) explains this psychological impairment.
- Media report (PDF, in German)
What is Alexinomia?
Alexinomia is a psychological phenomenon characterised by knowing a name but not being able to use it in personal communication. For example, it is impossible for those affected to say “Good morning, Maria” or “Armin! Good to see you.” Those affected experience anxiety and other unpleasant emotions in social situations in which the use of names is intended.
Thomas Ditye and his research team at SFU’s Faculty of Psychology are currently investigating the causes of this for the first time. Alexinomia is not due to memory problems or pronunciation difficulties, but rather appears to be associated with a kind of blockage or anxiety. Those affected often develop strategies to avoid saying names, but this can affect social relationships.
For more information, please visit our project website alexinomia.org.
Contact:
Assistant Professor Thomas Ditye, MRes PhD
Faculty of Psychology
Sigmund Freud Private University
thomas.ditye@sfu.ac.at