Psychodynamic approach to understanding anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a diagnostic category that is more frequently found in younger women. In its basis is the difficulty of experiencing and mentalizing tension inside one's body. It occurs due to the conflicts arising from intrapsychic processes, on the one hand, and the penetration of patriarchal norms on the other. This paper relates anorexia nervosa to Lacan's jouissance or the so-called painful pleasure. Lacan's theory of understanding female sexuality is important for the feminist (psychotherapeutic) approach. How young women suffering from anorexia nervosa form a relationship with their body, and the degree to which we can speak of their capacity to achieve a pleasure principle is addressed in the second part of the paper. Finally, the paper offers a psychotherapeutic understanding of the directions that need to be followed when working with these clients.