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Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)

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Click HERE to take test
 

Take this screener if…

  • You often feel others’ emotions deeply, yet are unsure what you’re feeling yourself.

  • You find it difficult to describe feelings to others.

  • You focus more on physical or external cues than emotions.

  • You tend to confuse bodily sensations with emotional experiences.
     

The TAS‑20 is a widely used self-assessment designed to measure alexithymia—a trait involving difficulty in identifying, understanding, and expressing emotions. While not a diagnosis on its own, alexithymia is common among neurodivergent individuals and can influence mental health, emotional regulation, and relationships.
 

20 Questions
 

Are you struggling with alexithymia?

Learn more about the different ways alexithymia shows up and how therapy can help you manage it. 


 

Who It’s For:

Adults (18+) who want to explore their ability to recognize and communicate emotions—especially those who may struggle with emotional awareness or suspect they experience alexithymia.
 

Duration:

Approximately 5–7 minutes
 

What It Measures:

The TAS‑20 evaluates three main components of alexithymia:
 

  • Difficulty identifying feelings

  • Difficulty describing feelings

  • Externally-oriented thinking (a focus on facts over feelings)
     

These traits can shape how you relate to your own emotions and how you connect with others emotionally.
 

Score Interpretation

Total Score Range: 20-100
 

  • 20-51: No Alexithymia - Your responses suggest you have a generally clear and accessible relationship with your emotional life. You can identify, describe, and reflect on feelings without significant interference.
     

  • 52-60: Possible Alexithymia - Your responses fall in the borderline range. You may notice some difficulty recognizing or describing your emotions, though these challenges may not consistently interfere with daily life.
     

  • 61-100: Alexithymia Present - Your responses suggest notable difficulty identifying, understanding, or expressing emotional states. These challenges may impact your ability to navigate relationships or manage emotional experiences.
     

Subscale Score Interpretation

Each of the three components is scored separately:
 

  1. Difficulty Identifying Feelings (7-35):
    Low 7-15 · Moderate 16-23 · High 24-35

  2. Difficulty Describing Feelings (5-25):
    Low 5-11 · Moderate 12-17 · High 18-25

  3. Externally-Oriented Thinking (8-40):
    Low 8-18 · Moderate 19-26 · High 27-40
     

Support for Emotional Awareness and Growth

If you scored high, you may often feel unsure of what you're feeling—or find it difficult to explain emotions to others. This doesn’t mean you don’t feel deeply; it means your brain may process emotional information differently.
 

With the right support, it’s possible to build emotional vocabulary, increase self-awareness, and feel more confident in both understanding yourself and connecting with others. A neurodiversity-affirming therapist can help you explore these areas in a nonjudgmental space.

👉 Ready to explore your emotional world with support? [Reach out through our contact form]—we’re here to help.

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