Lack of maternal physical or psychic reference may underlie anorexia nervosa
(Eating Disorders-October 16, 2003)

"In this study, anorexia nervosa has been examined from an etiopathogenic and psychoanalytical viewpoint. The sociocultural environment and transgenerational context have been analyzed as contributing factors in the dysfunction of early parent-child relations and the subsequent effect of this on the development of the child, particularly during adolescence. We have hypothesized that the 'failure' on the part of the mother to express her feminine and maternal nature, and the absence of attention paid to her child's own body are major contributing factors," scientists in France report.

"This absence of expression of the maternal instinct does not favor a positive perception and integration into the child's personality of the feminine aspect of its nature, and thus contributes to the development of a sado-masochistic attitude that is focused on the infantile stage. The most frequently encountered condition in the mothers of anorexic patients appears to be the resurgence during maternity and in the initial mother-infant exchanges of a syndrome that can be defined in terms of a mind-body split which is responsible for the child's failure to construct a psychic and somatic self," explained M. Corcos and colleagues, Institute Mutualist Montsouris, IMM.

"The structuring of the self in the child, in particular the impulsive and identificatory aspects of its personality are negatively affected by the absence of a feminine role model, as when the self is separated from the carnal origin of the emotions this can cause a marked inability to constitute a body image."

"We therefore consider that in these pathologies, the underlying cause is an absence of focus on the somatic self, which has an effect on the initial construction of a body image. We hypothesize that a 'body to body' transmission (in the form of body engrams) of a maternal psychopathology occurs, and that as the child is confronted with the unstructured development and lack of management of its mother's feminine and maternal nature, it does not have a physical or psychic reference," Corcos and coauthors indicated.

"Therefore, the bodily sensations become linked to the development of a morbid autosensuality and autoeroticism, as they have not been physically or mentally stimulated in a positive manner by the object, that is to say by the mother," researchers contend.

Corcos and colleagues published their study in Evolution Psychiatrique (The feminine and maternal aspects in anorexia nervosa, a creative passivity: this is not a woman. Evol Psychiatr, 2003;68(2):233-247).

For more information, contact M. Corcos, IMM, Service Prof Jeammet, Department Psychiatry Adolescent & Adulte Jeune, 42 Blvd. Jourdan, F-75014 Paris, France.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Eating Disorder, Mental Health, Pediatrics and Women's Health. This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
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