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Eating Disorders, Ego Deficiencies and
Cognitive Disturbances
Eating disorder theory:
 A
pioneer in the field of eating disorders named Hilde Bruch developed a theory
based upon both psychodynamic and cognitive theories. She believed that
disturbed mother-child interactions lead to serious ego deficiencies in
the child (which may include a poor sense of autonomy and control) as well as
severe cognitive disturbances, which then combined to produce individuals with
eating disorders.
Brooch concluded that
parents of eating disordered children may either respond to their children
effectively or ineffectively. Effective parents are able to accurately attend
to their children's biological and emotional needs, giving them food when they
cry and comfort when they are in fear. Ineffective parents, failed to attend
to their children's internal needs, and failed to correctly interpret the
children's actual needs and circumstances. They may sometimes feed their
children at times of anxiety rather than hunger or comfort them at times of
tiredness rather than anxiety. Children receiving such ineffective parenting
may grow up confused and unaware of their own internal needs, not knowing
whether they are hungry or full and having difficulty identifying their own
emotions.
When these children are
unable to rely upon internal signals they instead turn to an external guide such
as their parents. They are frequently “model” children but they fail to develop
self-reliance and have difficulty experiencing themselves as being in control of
their behavior, needs and impulses, or even owning their own bodies. This
mindset continues on into their adolescence when they have an innate desire to
establish autonomy but are unable to do so. It is believed according to this
theory, that in order for them to overcome their sense of helplessness they seek
excessive control of their body size, shape and eating habits which eventually
develop into eating disorders.
There has been some research
support for Bruch’s theory on eating disorders. Clinicians have observed that
parents of teenagers with eating disorders do tend to define their children's
needs rather than allowing the children to have some autonomy in defining their
own needs. Bruch’s interview of the mothers of 51 children with anorexia
nervosa found that most had "anticipated" their young child's needs rather than
allowing the child to feel the need for food.
Clinical research has also
supported Bruch’s belief that people with eating disorders perceived internal
cues inaccurately. It has been found that when subjects with bulimia nervosa
are anxious or upset they are frequently mistaken by these feelings and respond
by eating. Finally, studies have also supported Bruch’s argument that people
with eating disorders rely excessively on the opinions and views of others.
They're much more likely to be concerned about how others view them and to seek
their approval. They tend to be conforming and feel a lack of control over
their lives resulting in the development of an eating disorder.
Some information from Ronald
J. Comer’s Abnormal Psychology
Additional information by Paul Susic MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D Candidate
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