PSYC 690J3 Lecture Notes - Dysfunctional Family, Physical Attractiveness, Salvador Minuchin
Document Summary
Supports the idea that the personality of patients with eating disorders particularly those with anorexia is affected by their weight loss. Study- men lost 25% of their body weight. They also reported increased fatigue, poor concentration, lack of sexual interest, irritability, moodiness, and insomnia. Four became depressed and one developed bipolar disorder. This research shows how severe restriction of food intake can have powerful effects on personality and behaviour. Collected retrospective reports of personality before the onset of an eating disorder. This research described patients with anorexia having been perfectionist, shy and compliant before the onset of the disorder. It described patients with bulimia as having the additional characteristics of histrionic features, affective instability and an outgoing social disposition. Retrospective reports in which a patient and his or her family recall what the person was like before diagnosis can be inaccurate and biased by awareness of the patients current problem.