The Role of Emotional Abuse in the Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment
Authors: Waller, Glenn1; Corstorphine, Emma2; Mountford, Victoria3
Source: Eating Disorders, Volume 15, Number 4, July 2007 , pp. 317-331(15)
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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.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/10640260701454337
Affiliations: 1: Vincent Square Eating Disorder Clinic, Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK 2: South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK 3: South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust and St. George's, University of London, UK
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