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Treatment of childhood sexual abuse in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: A feminist psychodynamic approach
Author(s) -
KearneyCooke Ann,
StriegelMoore Ruth H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.2260150402
Subject(s) - sexual abuse , psychology , anorexia nervosa , shame , eating disorders , bulimia nervosa , psychotherapist , child abuse , childhood abuse , psychodynamics , psychological abuse , physical abuse , domestic violence , clinical psychology , poison control , suicide prevention , social psychology , medicine , environmental health
In this article a parallel is drawn between the psychological problems experienced by victims of childhood sexual abuse and by clients with eating disorders. In particular, we describe how sexual abuse has a significant and lasting effect on body image, identity, self‐regulation, and interpersonal functioning. Treatment issues are outlined including the nature of the healing relationship, assessment of abuse, development of capacity for self‐soothing, techniques for assisting in memory recall, sculpting of images, description and reenactment of abuse, dealing with shame, and ending the cycle of repeated victimization.