People who are alexithymic struggle to imagine the future, leading to a lack of purpose and difficulty setting goals. They often rely on external sources for inspiration, resulting in a materialistic approach to life. Alexithymia is more common in men due to societal expectations that limit emotional expression to anger and frustration. Men are often taught to avoid emotions like fear, shame, and crying, as they are considered signs of weakness. Anger is usually the primary emotion acceptable for men. This emotional suppression can lead to a lack of emotional awareness and difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings accurately.