The Role of Emotional Abuse in the Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment

Abstract

This paper addresses the clinical links between emotional abuse and the eating disorders. It is argued that the core feature of a range of abusive experiences is emotional invalidation. Emotional abuse is associated with problems in the development of emotional skills, manifesting as alexithymia, poor distress tolerance, and emotional inhibition. Cognitive-behavioral approaches are outlined for work with eating-disordered patients with a history of emotional abuse. As well as addressing the central concerns about eating, weight, and shape (using existing evidence-based methods), the focus of treatment is on addressing the conditional assumptions about the acceptability of emotions and the core beliefs that underpin the emotional difficulties.

Notes

Ganis, C. (2003). Different forms of abuse in the eating disorders: Impact on schema-level cognitions.Unpublished PsyD dissertation: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA.