Family Structure in Eating Disorders Essay -- Relationships Health Pap

Family Structure in Eating Disorders We ar all genetically and socially affected by our families. Families serve as the matrix of our identity. It is through fundamental interactions within the family that we develop a sense of who we be and how we fit in (Minuchin, Rosman & Baker, 1978). Parents serve as role models, providing examples for attitudes, coping skills, and ingest habits, as well as setting standards for perfection, ambition and acceptance (Hall & Cohn, 1992). galore(postnominal) researchers claim that family dynamics are at the root of eating disorders much(prenominal) as anorexia nervosa. The role of dysfunctional family interactions in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa has been given a gravid place in the research field. Evidence for a specific family constellation in this disorder, however, has been conflicting. While the majority of studies argue for a specific family interaction style, further studies must be conducted to identify distinguishing characte ristics of anorectic subtypes and to determine whether these characteristics are of a causal or consequential nature (Minuchin, Rosman & Baker, 1978). Family focused treatments for anorexia nervosa fall in been developed based on accounts in family therapy literature of the typical anorexic or psychosomatic family (Weme & Yalom, 1996). Anorexic families may appear to have a perfect or ideal environment on the surface, but upon destination observation little expression of affection or warmth is seen. Members of these families seldom take specific stands on issues, and conflict is avoided at all costs. fundamental dissatisfaction and tension is often present within the parental dyad. It has been suggested that parents of anorexic effect put high expectations on their children to over-com... ...oanalysis and Eatiniz Disorders. Guilford Press New York. Blinder, B.J., Chaitin, B.F., & Goldstein, R.S. (1988) The Eating Disorders. PMA publication New York. Broberg, A. (1993). The anor ectic family--an old-fashioned concept. Lakartidningen, 5O 4550-4553. Hall, L., & Cohn, L. (1992). Bulimia, A black market To Recovory Gurze Books CA. Le Grange, D.C., & Rutherford, J. (1994). Redefining the psychosomatic family family processes of 26 eating disorder families. International diary of Eating Disorders. 3, 211-226. Minuchin, S., Rosman, B.L., & Baker, L. (1978). PYchosomatic Families. Harvard University Press Mass. Weiss, L., Katzman, M., & Wolchik, S. (1985). Treating Bulimia. A Psychoeducational Approach. Pergamon Press New York. Weme, J., & Yalom, J.D. (1996). Treating Eating Disorders. Jossey-Bass Publishers San Francisco.