TAS-20: Toronto Alexithymia Scale

The TAS-20 is a 20-item validated self-report measure of alexithymia, the inability to identify, describe, and distinguish feelings. Scores 20–100; cutoff ≥61 for alexithymia. Three subscales: DIF, DDF, EOT. Bagby, Parker & Taylor (1994).

What is the Toronto Alexithymia Scale?

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was developed by R. Michael Bagby, James D. A. Parker, and Graeme J. Taylor (1994) to operationalize the construct of alexithymia, a term coined by Sifneos (1973) to describe a deficit in emotional awareness characterized by difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings to others, and a tendency to focus on external rather than internal experiences.

The 20 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree, 5 = Strongly agree). Five items (4, 5, 10, 18, 19) are reverse-scored before summing. Total scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater alexithymia. The scale yields three subscale scores: DIF (Difficulty Identifying Feelings, 7 items), DDF (Difficulty Describing Feelings, 5 items), and EOT (Externally Oriented Thinking, 8 items).

The TAS-20 has been validated in over 50 countries and is widely used in research on trauma, somatic disorders, eating disorders, substance use, and psychosomatic medicine. Prevalence of alexithymia in the general population is estimated at approximately 10–15%. Elevated alexithymia is commonly observed in PTSD, autism spectrum, and somatic symptom disorders.

TAS-20 Score Interpreter

Enter a TAS-20 total score (from a formally administered assessment) to see the corresponding interpretation and subscale context.

Score range: 20 (no alexithymia) to 100 (severe alexithymia)

TAS-20 Subscale Reference

For reference only. Formal TAS-20 administration required for clinical use.

TAS-20 Score Ranges

Bagby, Parker & Taylor (1994). Prevalence of alexithymia (≥61) in the general population is approximately 10–15%.

TAS-20 Subscales: DIF, DDF, EOT

The TAS-20 yields three factor subscores reflecting distinct components of the alexithymia construct.

Difficulty Identifying Feelings

7 items. Assesses difficulty recognizing and distinguishing between emotions and bodily sensations of emotional arousal. The most clinically significant subscale for emotional dysregulation.

Difficulty Describing Feelings

5 items. Measures difficulty communicating feelings to other people. High DDF scores are associated with poor therapeutic alliance and limited responsiveness to emotion-focused therapies.

Externally Oriented Thinking

8 items. Reflects a tendency to focus on the external environment rather than inner experience. High EOT is linked to somatic preoccupation and difficulty with introspection and self-reflection.

Measure Emotional Processing in HiBoop

Alexithymia and affect regulation measures alongside PHQ-9, PCL-5, and DERS, longitudinal tracking to understand your patients' emotional processing capacity over time.