“I've started to move into my own body”: Music therapy with women suffering from eating disorders

Abstract

This article addresses individual music therapy with two young women suffering from eating disorders, i.e. anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The theoretical approach is psychodynamic inspired, focusing a relating experience through music to promote health. The clinical cases stem from a music therapy practice at a specialized unit for eating disorders. The first example describes Susan's music therapy process towards a renewed self-confidence, elucidated through creative writing, musical exploration and body movements. In the second case, Helen finds it hard to connect body and mind, i.e. relate inner feelings to words. Through music therapy, she explores her inner self by searching for “little Helen”, which eventually leads to a closer connection between inner and outer reality.

In the discussion, we suggest relating experience through music to empower the clients' strength, support inner healing resources and contribute to a living bridge between body and mind, which subsequently support healing resources and nourish hope of a normal life, i.e. support life itself.

Keywords:

• music therapy
• eating disorders
• body
• mind
• anorexia
• bulimia

Notes

¹For a more comprehensive literature review of music therapy and anorexia see Trondalen, 2004, pp. 154–171, McFerran, 2005b and Lejonclou, 2001.

²Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. A BMI between 18.5–24.9 is a normal weight.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Annika Lejonclou†

†The cases presented in the text are from the first author's clinical practice as a music therapist in a multi-disciplinary team located at a specialized unit for people suffering from eating disorders.