Skip to main content
Book cover

Anorexia Nervosa and Other Dyscontrol Syndromes pp 40–50Cite as

The Concept of Body Image and Its Changes

  • Chapter

  • 71 Accesses

Abstract

One of the most characteristic features of anorectics is their distorted body image. This feature was noticed as early as over a century ago by Lasegue (1873) who stated: “Patient said she was neither changed nor is she thinner.” In more recent times Bruch (1962) talked about distorted inner image as pathognomonic. In 1973 she elaborated on three key symptoms: “A disturbance of delusional proportions in the body image and body concept, a disturbance in the accuracy of perception (or cognitive interpretation) of stimuli arising in the body, and finally, a paralyzing sense of ineffectiveness.” How is body image and the anorectic’s denial or perceptual distortion to be understood?

Keywords

  • Body Image
  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
  • Body Image Disturbance

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

“What is meant by ascetic ideals?… In women at best, an additional implement of seduction, a little morbidezza on a fine piece of flesh, the anglehood of a plump, pretty animal.”

F.W.Nietzsche: The Genealogy of Morals III, 1887

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-73700-8_4
  • Chapter length: 11 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-642-73700-8
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allebeck P, Hallberg D, Espmark S (1976) Body image — an apparatus for measuring disturbances in estimation of size and shape. J Psychosom Res 20:583–589

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Askerold F (1975) Measuring body image. Psychother Psychosom 26:71–80

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Blatt SJ, Wild CM (1976) Schizophrenia: a developmental analysis. Academic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruch H (1962) Perceptual and conceptual disturbances in anorexia nervosa. Psychosom Med 24:187–199

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruch H (1973) Eating disorders: obesity, anorexia nervosa, and the person within. Basic Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Casper R, Casper C, Halmi KA, Goldberg SC, Eckert ED, Davies JM (1979) Disturbances in body image estimation as related to other characteristics and outcome in anorexia nervosa. Br J Psychiatry 134:60–66

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casper RC, Ofer D, Ostrov E (1981) The self-image of adolescents with acute anorexia nervosa. J Pediatr 98 (4): 656–661

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crisp AH, Kalucy RS (1974) Aspects of the perceptual disorder in anorexia nervosa. Br J Med Psychol 47:349–361

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darby JA (1970) Alteration of some body image indexes in schizophrenics. J Consult Clin Psychol 35:116–121

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daurat-Hmeljak C, Stambak M, Berges J (1966) Une epreuve de schema corporel. Rev Psychol Appl 16:141–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Faterson HF, Witkin HA (1970) Longitudinal study of development of the body concept. Dev Psychol 2:429–438

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fichter MM, Meister I, Koch HJ (1986) The measurement of body image disturbances in anorexia nervosa: experimental comparison of different methods. Br J Psychiatry 148 (4):453–461

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher S, Cleveland SE (1958) Body image and personality. Dover, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman RJ, Thomas CD, Solyom L, Hunter MA (1984) A modified video-camera for measuring body image distortions: technical description and reliability. Psychol Med 14: 411–416

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfinkel PE, Moldofsky H, Garner DM, Stancer HC, Coscina DV (1977) Prognosis in anorexia nervosa as influenced by clinical features: treatment and self-perception. Can Med Assoc J 117:1041–1045

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfinkel PE, Moldofsky H, Garner DM, Stancer HC, Coscina DV (1978) Body awareness in body image and satiety. Psychosom Med 40:487–497

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfinkel PE, Moldofsky H, Garner DM (1979) The stability of perceptual disturbances in anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med 9:703–708

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garner DM, Garfinkel PE (1981–82) Body image in anorexia nervosa measurement, theory and clinical implications. Int J Psychiatry Med 11(3): 263–283

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garner DM, Garfinkel PE, Stancer HC, Moldofsky MD (1976) Body image disturbance in anorexia nervosa and obesity. Psychosom Med 28:327–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Gellert E (1962) Children’s conceptions of the content and functions of the human body. Genet Psychol Monogr 65:293–405

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glucksman ML, Hirsch J (1969) The response of obese patients to weight reduction: the perception of body size. Psychosom Med 31:1–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodsitt A (1977) Narcissistic disturbances in anorexia nervosa. In: Feinstein SC, Giovachini P (eds) Adolescent psychiatry, vol 5. Aronson, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jourard SM, Secord PF (1955) Body cathexis and personality. Br J Psychol 46:130–138

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiener F (1974) Untersuchungen zum Körperbild (body image). 2. Teil. Z Klin Psychol Psychother 22(1): 45–66

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtz RM (1969) Sex differences and variations on body attitudes. J Consult Clin Psychol 33:625–629

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lasègue C (1873) De Daurore hystérique. Archives genérales de médicine 21:385–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Leon GR, Lucas AR, Colligan RC, Ferdinande RJ, Kamp J (1985) Sexual body image and personality attitudes in anorexia nervosa. J Abnorm Child Psychol 13(2): 245–258

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meerman R (1983) Experimental investigation of disturbances in body image estimation in anorexia nervosa patients and ballet and gymnastics pupils. Int J Eating Dis 2:91–100

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Norris DL (1984) The effects of mirror confrontation on self-estimation of body dimensions in anorexia nervosa, bulimia and two control groups. Psychol Med 14:835–842

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orne MT (1969) Demand characteristics and the concept of quasi-controls. In: Rosenthal R, Rosnow RL (eds) Artifacts in behavioral research. Academic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Palazzoli MS (1978) Self starvation. Jason Aronson, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierloot RA, Houben ME (1978) Estimation of body dimensions in anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med 8:317–324

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor L, Morley S (1986) Demand characteristics in body size estimation in anorexia nervosa. Br J Psychiatry 149:113–118

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reitman EE, Cleveland SE (1964) Changes in body image following sensory deprivation in schizophrenic and control groups. J Abnorm Soc Psychol 68:168–176

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slade PD (1985) A review of body image studies in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. J Psychiatr Res 19(2/3): 255–265

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slade PD, Russell GFM (1973) Awareness of body dimensions in anorexia nervosa: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Psychol Med 3:188–199

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strober M, Goldenberg I (1981) Ego boundary disturbance in juvenile anorexia nervosa. J Clin Psychol 37:433–438

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strober M, Goldenberg I, Green J, Saxon J (1979) Body image disturbance in anorexia nervosa during the acute and recuperative phase. Psychol Med 9:695–701

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swift WJ, Bushnell NJ, Hanson P, Logemann T (1986) Self-concept in adolescent anorectics. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 25(6): 826–835

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weinreich P, Doherty J, Harris P (1985) Empirical assessment of identity in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. J Psychiatr Res 19:297–302

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White WF, Wash J A (1965) Prediction of successful college academic performance, from measures of body cathexis, self-cathexis and anxiety. Percept Mot Skills 20:431–432

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wingate BA, Christie MJ (1978) Ego strength and body image in anorexia nervosa. J Psychosom Res 22:201–204

    PubMed  CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Witkin HA, Dyk RB, Faterson HF, Goodenough DR, Karp SA (1962) Psychological differentiation. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 20 Rav Berlin, 92503, Jerusalem, Israel

    Professor Dr. E. L. Edelstein

Authors
  1. Professor Dr. E. L. Edelstein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Edelstein, E.L. (1989). The Concept of Body Image and Its Changes. In: Anorexia Nervosa and Other Dyscontrol Syndromes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73700-8_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73700-8_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19281-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73700-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive