Psychodynamic Theory Of Anorexia Nervosa

In the psychodynamic approach, it is assumed that depression has its origins in the unresolved conflict of the past (Driessen et al., 2017). Freud believed that the essence of depressive symptoms was inward anger, which was the cause of low self-esteem, guilt and a bad conscience - so common in depressive patients (Gerrig, 2012). In childhood, a depressed person directed his love to another person and was rejected. As a result, anger perception of the lost object is directed at itself (Gerrig, 2012). The subsequent experiences of loss and rejection react to feelings of loss of the original object. The most vivid and extreme manifestation of this anger is the act of suicide (Gerrig, 2012). Klein (1987) pointed out that in the life of every child

This disorder has a psychopathological basis, consisting of a fear of gaining weight (Comer, 2010). Anxiety takes the form of a persistent idea, according to which the patient sets a low limit of weight (Freeman, 2002). Mostly anorexia starts with going on a diet (Freeman, 2002). The person suffering from anorexia nervosa continues to slim down, despite reaching the planned weight. The anorexia diet then becomes increasingly restrictive, every meal is meticulously measured, and the calorie content checked beforehand. To increase the effectiveness of the diet, the person additionally does intensive physical exercise. With time, the individual has less power, but still lives in the belief that he or she is healthy and strong. Anorexia often accompanies the mood of euphoria, which is associated with the satisfaction of controlling the needs of one's own body (Freeman,

The "adapted to fee" hypothesis assumes that anorexia is primarily a biological disorder of the cerebral mechanism regulating hunger rather than mental illness (Guisinger, 2003). The basis of this theory is the assumption that man is primarily an animal. In the case of people, to understand this mechanism should be withdrawn by thousands of years when people were mainly from the collection and led a nomadic lifestyle (Guisinger, 2003). Under such conditions, the ability to suppress hunger and move quickly to a new place richer in food was a positive and desirable trait. In addition, the exclusion of fertility in such conditions also served to better adapt and increase the chances of survive (Guisinger, 2003). According to this theory, anorexia is a remnant of this archaic mechanism that was supposed to facilitate our ancestors' lives. In Michael’s case, his hypothetical anorexia can be a response to his assimilation to the work