Although the mental health field tends to underestimate the father's role in the psychological de... more Although the mental health field tends to underestimate the father's role in the psychological development of the child, eating disordered women reveal a consistent pattern of paternal distance and disengagement that is fundamental to their developmental problems. To examine how the father's emotional and/or physical absence contributed to the development of eating disorders, interviews were conducted with 39 females between the ages of 9 and 23 who presented with primary anorexia nervosa. Thirty-six of the 39 subjects characterized their fathers as emotionally disengaged and believed that this distant relationship was a significant factor contributing to their illnesses. Sixteen subjects reported that their fathers had been involved during their early years and that through illness, alcoholism, or divorce, became distant. The symptoms of eating disorders may function to help the young woman regain her father's support and attention. Therapists can use various methods to engage the disengaged father. A case presentation of one anorexic and the therapist's inclusion of the family, specifically the father, in treatment illustrates the effectiveness of this approach. The anorexic's appreciation of her father's role in her treatment can be a powerful therapeutic tool. Implications of these findings include the involvement of the entire family in the treatment of eating disordered patients, with special emphasis on the impact of the father's distance or disengagement on the family. Theoretically, a new appreciation of the father's role in female psychological development is needed. (Author/NB)
As the United States addresses obesity, a number of state legislatures are considering laws that ... more As the United States addresses obesity, a number of state legislatures are considering laws that require schools to track and report students' body mass index (BMI), a measurement of body weight (weight/height2). This article describes the state level activity on mandatory BMI reporting, offers numerous arguments against this practice, and suggests an alternative approach to promoting health in youth. Mandatory BMI reporting laws place a new and inappropriate responsibility on the schools. Proponents of such laws imply that BMI reporting will have positive outcomes, yet there is virtually no independent research to support this assumption. The authors argue that these laws could do significant harm, including an increased risk for children to develop eating disorder symptoms.
Eating disorders, ranging from body-image distortions to full-blown anorexia nervosa and bulimia ... more Eating disorders, ranging from body-image distortions to full-blown anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, reflect developmental issues and significant deficits in feelings of self-efficacy. The relational model, an outgrowth of theoretical work specific to the psychology of women, is an appropriate treatment approach. This model appreciates the social context and pressures that foster disconnection from the self and helps the woman to reconnect with self and others, decreasing the need for obsessive control over food and weight. Treatment emphasizes empathy, connection, mutuality, and authenticity and views disconnections and disruptions as the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors related to eating disorders. The client-therapist relationship is central to this model as demonstrated by a case illustration.
... routledge. com Page 6. Dedication To George, for his remarkable love, laughter, and partnersh... more ... routledge. com Page 6. Dedication To George, for his remarkable love, laughter, and partnershipMargo Maine To Kristy and to my wife Sara, who showed me a different awareness William Davis To Bob, for his unwavering love, support, and patience Jane Shure Page 7. Page 8 ...
The existing outcome research on the efficacy of treatment of anorexia nervosa yields minimal ins... more The existing outcome research on the efficacy of treatment of anorexia nervosa yields minimal insight regarding the nature of the recovery process and the quality of life pursuant to recovery. A primary problem is the omission of direct inquiry of recovered patients. This study, utilizing intensive interviewing of 25 recovered anorexics, finds that few who received formal treatment believe it was essential to their recovery. Many experience the therapeutic experience as duplicating the dynamics and problems leading to the illness. Citing insufficient attention to eating behavior, body image, and family dynamics, the interviews alsoreveal that factors essential to a therapeutic relationship are more often found in relationships outside of treatment. Recovery occurs over time as the anorexic accepts and adapts to the problems in the systems around her and in turn accepts herself. Findings validate the need for an existential, systems-oriented approach in the treatment of anorexic patients. Recovery from anorexia nervosa, a complex biopsychosocial disorder characterized by lifethreatening deficits in interoceptive awareness, necessitates dramatic changes in selfawareness, cognition, and perception. Because this disorder may lead to death or to severe physical sequelae, treatment is often multimodal, with many interventions (medical, psychotherapeutic, nutritional, behavioral), initiated at the same time. Smith, Glass, and Miller (1980) point out that delaying treatment or utilizing controlled comparative studies of treatment effects is inconceivable and unethical. Thus, assessment of the value of various treatment effects is difficult as combinations of factors inside and outside of treatment may be 48
Although the mental health field tends to underestimate the father's role in the psychological de... more Although the mental health field tends to underestimate the father's role in the psychological development of the child, eating disordered women reveal a consistent pattern of paternal distance and disengagement that is fundamental to their developmental problems. To examine how the father's emotional and/or physical absence contributed to the development of eating disorders, interviews were conducted with 39 females between the ages of 9 and 23 who presented with primary anorexia nervosa. Thirty-six of the 39 subjects characterized their fathers as emotionally disengaged and believed that this distant relationship was a significant factor contributing to their illnesses. Sixteen subjects reported that their fathers had been involved during their early years and that through illness, alcoholism, or divorce, became distant. The symptoms of eating disorders may function to help the young woman regain her father's support and attention. Therapists can use various methods to engage the disengaged father. A case presentation of one anorexic and the therapist's inclusion of the family, specifically the father, in treatment illustrates the effectiveness of this approach. The anorexic's appreciation of her father's role in her treatment can be a powerful therapeutic tool. Implications of these findings include the involvement of the entire family in the treatment of eating disordered patients, with special emphasis on the impact of the father's distance or disengagement on the family. Theoretically, a new appreciation of the father's role in female psychological development is needed. (Author/NB)
As the United States addresses obesity, a number of state legislatures are considering laws that ... more As the United States addresses obesity, a number of state legislatures are considering laws that require schools to track and report students' body mass index (BMI), a measurement of body weight (weight/height2). This article describes the state level activity on mandatory BMI reporting, offers numerous arguments against this practice, and suggests an alternative approach to promoting health in youth. Mandatory BMI reporting laws place a new and inappropriate responsibility on the schools. Proponents of such laws imply that BMI reporting will have positive outcomes, yet there is virtually no independent research to support this assumption. The authors argue that these laws could do significant harm, including an increased risk for children to develop eating disorder symptoms.
Eating disorders, ranging from body-image distortions to full-blown anorexia nervosa and bulimia ... more Eating disorders, ranging from body-image distortions to full-blown anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, reflect developmental issues and significant deficits in feelings of self-efficacy. The relational model, an outgrowth of theoretical work specific to the psychology of women, is an appropriate treatment approach. This model appreciates the social context and pressures that foster disconnection from the self and helps the woman to reconnect with self and others, decreasing the need for obsessive control over food and weight. Treatment emphasizes empathy, connection, mutuality, and authenticity and views disconnections and disruptions as the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors related to eating disorders. The client-therapist relationship is central to this model as demonstrated by a case illustration.
... routledge. com Page 6. Dedication To George, for his remarkable love, laughter, and partnersh... more ... routledge. com Page 6. Dedication To George, for his remarkable love, laughter, and partnershipMargo Maine To Kristy and to my wife Sara, who showed me a different awareness William Davis To Bob, for his unwavering love, support, and patience Jane Shure Page 7. Page 8 ...
The existing outcome research on the efficacy of treatment of anorexia nervosa yields minimal ins... more The existing outcome research on the efficacy of treatment of anorexia nervosa yields minimal insight regarding the nature of the recovery process and the quality of life pursuant to recovery. A primary problem is the omission of direct inquiry of recovered patients. This study, utilizing intensive interviewing of 25 recovered anorexics, finds that few who received formal treatment believe it was essential to their recovery. Many experience the therapeutic experience as duplicating the dynamics and problems leading to the illness. Citing insufficient attention to eating behavior, body image, and family dynamics, the interviews alsoreveal that factors essential to a therapeutic relationship are more often found in relationships outside of treatment. Recovery occurs over time as the anorexic accepts and adapts to the problems in the systems around her and in turn accepts herself. Findings validate the need for an existential, systems-oriented approach in the treatment of anorexic patients. Recovery from anorexia nervosa, a complex biopsychosocial disorder characterized by lifethreatening deficits in interoceptive awareness, necessitates dramatic changes in selfawareness, cognition, and perception. Because this disorder may lead to death or to severe physical sequelae, treatment is often multimodal, with many interventions (medical, psychotherapeutic, nutritional, behavioral), initiated at the same time. Smith, Glass, and Miller (1980) point out that delaying treatment or utilizing controlled comparative studies of treatment effects is inconceivable and unethical. Thus, assessment of the value of various treatment effects is difficult as combinations of factors inside and outside of treatment may be 48
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