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Alexithymia and Overeating
Author(s) -
Wheeler Kathleen,
Broad Robert D.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.1994.tb00220.x
Subject(s) - alexithymia , overeating , feeling , psychology , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , obesity , medicine , social psychology
While obesity is a complex, multidetermined disorder, a significant subgroup ofovereaters suffer from alexithymia, which contributes to weight gain and difficulties in losing weight. For these individuals, food is used to regulate tension and inner‐feeling states. The authors advocate psychotherapy aimed toward helping clients differentiate feelings and develop the capacity for symbolization as the most effective treatment.