Back to our senses: Some (psycho)somatic aspects of the digestive system and their potential relevance to the study of eating disorders

Abstract

This work explores various aspects of the digestive system’s functioning during the early stages of development. These functions become systemically associated with our emotional experience, forming mental correlates that affect our mental development throughout our lifespan. Furthermore, these mental correlates lead to the construction of an interface between the functions of the digestive system and our emotional experience. Advancing these notions will be centered around the idea that the digestive system, primarily the parts associated with the functioning of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, produces sensations no different and no less consequential than the sensory experience produced by our other senses. Thus, and building on the work of Bion, Anzieu, and others, it is further suggested that the above-mentioned parts of the digestive system should be considered a part of our sensory make-up. In addition to its digestive functions, this system is assumed to play an essential role in the composure of our psychic infrastructure and mental development. Finally, special attention is given to the relevance of these ideas to the study of eating disorders. These issues are explored with the purpose of pointing to some potential links between the functions of the digestive system and the specific manifestations of eating disorders. A brief illustration of some case material is discussed.

Keywords:

• digestive system
• sensory system
• eating disorders
• second skin
• Bion
• Anzieu

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Second skin formation, a concept suggested by Bick (1968), describes a defensive mental formation intended to enable psychic survival in the event of mental catastrophe. I will return to this concept at length in the following sections.

2 Identifying information of the patients in the present and following case materials has been modified to assure confidentiality.

Additional information

Funding

This work received no funding.

Notes on contributors

Michael Schein

Michael Schein, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, New York. He is a clinical psychologist in private practice, and an adjunct professor of psychology at Tel-Aviv University, School of Arts.