Chapter 9 PUTTING IT…together

306

A Standard for Integrating Perspectives

You have observed throughout this book that it is often useful to consider sociocultural, psychological, and biological factors jointly when trying to explain or treat various forms of abnormal functioning. Nowhere is the argument for combining these perspectives more powerful than in the case of eating disorders. According to the multidimensional risk perspective embraced by many theorists, varied factors act together to spark the development of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. One case may result from societal pressures, autonomy issues, the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, and hypothalamic overactivity, while another case may result from family pressures, depression, and the effects of dieting. No wonder that the most helpful treatment programs for eating disorders combine sociocultural, psychological, and biological approaches. When the multidimensional risk perspective is applied to eating disorders, it demonstrates that scientists and practitioners who follow very different models can work together productively in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

CLINICAL CHOICES

Now that you’ve read about eating disorders, try the interactive case study for this chapter. See if you are able to identify Jenny’s symptoms and suggest a diagnosis based on her symptoms. What kind of treatment would be most effective for Jenny? Go to LaunchPad to access Clinical Choices.

Research on eating disorders keeps revealing new surprises that force clinicians to adjust their theories and treatment programs. For example, researchers have learned that people with eating disorders sometimes feel strangely positive about their symptoms (Williams & Reid, 2010). One recovered patient said, “I still miss my bulimia as I would an old friend who has died” (Cauwels, 1983, p. 173). Given such feelings, many therapists now help clients work through grief reactions over their lost symptoms, reactions that may emerge as the clients begin to overcome their eating disorders (Zerbe, 2008).

While clinicians and researchers seek more answers about eating disorders, clients themselves have begun to take an active role in the identification and treatment of the disorders. A number of patient-run organizations now provide information, education, and support through Web sites, national telephone hot lines, schools, professional referrals, newsletters, workshops, and conferences (Musiat & Schmidt, 2010; Sinton & Taylor, 2010).