Exploring Eating Disorders Through Psychoanalysis

Exploring Eating Disorders through Psychoanalysis explores eating disorders as complex clinical conditions and uses psychoanalysis to explore the psychological factors behind them. Humberto Persano considers several key factors including psychosexual aspects of the psyche, object relations, ego functioning and defence mechanisms, as well as family dynamics, attachments and the role of early childhood trauma. The book identifies the relationship between addictions, self-harm and impulsive behaviours for complex patients as essential in the continuation of treatment and assesses specific treatments like transference-focused therapy and mentalization-based approaches. Persano also outlines future challenges and lines of research for eating disorders and their treatment. Exploring Eating Disorders through Psychoanalysis will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychologists and psychiatrists working with eating disorders.