Two alexithymia-related characterological patterns, identified by means of psychodynamic assessments in a study of patients with ulcerative colitis, were further investigated regarding subjective lack of well-being. The multidisturbed group (with disturbances in interpersonal relations) was symptomatically characterized by more sadness and by less initiative, but manifested less anxiety, enjoyed sex and slept well at night. The inhibited group was characterized by the opposite. The groups could not be discriminated on the basis of their general adaptive level of functioning. Our results suggest that alexithymia may have several dimensions, associated with different characterological disturbances and symptoms.