Abstract
This chapter will concern itself with children and adolescents who misuse the eating function in their efforts to solve or camouflage problems of living that to them appear otherwise insolvable. They are characterized by the abnormal amounts they eat and they show this by becoming conspicuous in their appearance. They may eat excessively and grow fat, or they restrict their intake to the point of becoming dangerously emaciated. Clinically these conditions are known as obesity and anorexia nervosa. Though they look like extreme opposites they are closely related through common underlying problems. Their treatment requires integration of various factors. There is need for psychotherapeutic help for the severe underlying emotional and personality problems of these young patients; at the same time the interactional conflicts within the family demand resolution, and the abnormal nutritional state must be corrected.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Agras, W.S., D.H. Barlow, H.N. Chapin, G.G. Abel, and H. Leitenberg. (1974) Behavior modification of anorexia nervosa. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 30:279–286.
Barcai, A. (1971) Family therapy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Am. J. Psychiat. 128:286–290.
Blinder, B.J., D.M.A. Freeman, and A.J. Stunkard. (1970) Behavior therapy of anorexia nervosa: Effectiveness of activity as a reinforcer of weight gain. Am. J. Psychiat. 126:77–82.
Bruch, H. (1973) Eating Disorders: Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, and the Person Within. New York: Basic Books.
Bruch, H. (1978) The Golden Cage: The Enigma of Anorexia Nervosa. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Bruch, H. (1974a) Learning Psychotherapy: Ratonale, and Ground Rules. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Bruch H. (1974b) Perils of behavior modification in treatment of anorexia nervosa. J.A.M.A. 230:1419–1422.
Eissler, K.R. (1943) Some psychiatric aspects of anorexia nervosa, demonstrated by a case report. Psychoanal. Rev. 30:121–145.
Liebman, R., S. Minuchin, and L. Baker. (1974) The role of the family in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. J. Child Psychiat. 13:264–274.
Meyer, B.C., and L.A. Weinroth. (1957) Observations on psychological aspects of anorexia nervosa. Psychosom. Med. 19:389–398.
Minuchin, S., B.L. Rosman and L. Baker (1978) Psychosomatic Families: Anorexia Nervosa in Context. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Selvini, M.P. (1963) L’Anoressia Mentale. Milan: Feltri-nelli. (London: Chaucer Publishing Co., 1974)
Selvini, M.P. (1971) Anorexia nervosa. In S. Arieti, ed., The World Biennial of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Vol. 1. New York: Basic Books, pp. 197–218.
Selvini Palazzoli, M. (1978) Self Starvation: From Individual to Family Therapy in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa. New York: Jason Aronson.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1980 Spectrum Publications, Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bruch, H. (1980). Obesity and Eating Disorders. In: Sholevar, G.P., Benson, R.M., Blinder, B.J. (eds) Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6684-3_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6684-3_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-6686-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6684-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive