Eating Disorders And Cultures In Transition

Eating disorders: do they mark cultural transition? Eating disorders that were once viewed as exclusive to specific class and ethnic boundaries in western culture are now spreading worldwide. This issue is fully discussed in this groundbreaking volume. Eating Disorders and Cultures in Transition is written by an international group of authors to address the recent emergence of eating disorders in various areas of the world including countries in South America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. It offers an in-depth analysis of the existing socio-cultural model arguing for the need to extend both our theoretical understanding and clinical work to account properly for this global phenomenon. Eating disorders are seen as reflecting sweeping changes in the social and political status of women in the majority of societies that are now undergoing rapid cultural transition. This multidisciplinary, multinational volume reflects wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating and frequently provocative viewpoints. It promises to be of great interest to medical and mental health professionals, public policy experts and all those watching for the processes of cultural transformation and their impact on mental health.

Oxford Handbooks offer authoritative and up-to-date reviews of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned chapters from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates, as well as a foundation for future research. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspectives upon a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. A rich source of authoritative content that supports reading and study in the field, The Oxford Handbook of Eating Disorders reviews current research and clinical developments through synthetic chapters written by experts from various fields of study and clinical backgrounds. Epidemiologic studies suggest that eating disorders are not only common but have increased in prevalence in recent decades, and this handbook refines and updates the state of research. The book is divided into four sections: phenomenology and epidemiology of the eating disorders, approaches to understanding the disorders, assessment and comorbidities of the disorders, and prevention and treatment. The first section deals with classification and epidemiology of the disorders, considerations for revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the somewhat neglected topic of eating disorders in childhood and early adolescence. The second section describes research basic to understanding the eating disorders and addresses biological factors, psychosocial risk factors, cultural factors, and the effects of behaviors such as dieting and eating and weight concerns in the genesis of the eating disorders. The third section describes assessment of the eating disorders, medical and psychological comorbidities, and medical management. The final section deals with various treatment modalities that have been found successful, including psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic approaches; an overview of evidence-based treatment for the eating disorders; and a consideration of what we know about cost-effectiveness of existing treatments. The multiple perspectives and breadth of scope offered by The Oxford Handbook of Eating Disorders make it an invaluable resource for clinicians, researchers, and educators, as well as scholars and students.

The Encyclopedia of Obesity and Eating Disorders, Third Edition is more relevant now than ever before.

In this book an international group of authors explores the extent of and the socio-cultural factors underlying the ascendancy of eating disorders in some countries of the Mediterranean area in our own time. The authors express their local observations and struggles in an effort to map the impact of culture on the development of eating disorders. The topics reviewed echo back to each other and underscore the complexity of defining, measuring and possibly even changing culture. The book takes a 'transcultural' view, which is both 'trans' and 'cultural'. Realms transverse the academic terrain with chapters that pull on history, geography, biology and literature to set the stage for a review of cultural causes, with culture being the political, commercial and treatment settings potential eating disordered individuals find themselves in. The chapters demonstrate how control, the key cognitive construct of eating disorders, is impacted by the internal and external environment of the eating disordered individual. And if control is the bridge, shame is the dark sea that one struggles to avoid. Biological and psychological data from humans and animals is offered in an attempt to understand how efforts to maintain an honourable social ranking impacts food and body shape choices.

The Oxford Textbook of Women and Mental Health brings a balanced understanding of different aspects of gender and mental health. Exploring issues covering psychological, social, and cultural aspects of mental health problems, it looks at epidemiological data that shows increased frequency in different clinical aspects of many psychiatric disorders, the biological and endocrinological concomitants of mental health, and eating disorders, perinatal psychiatric disorders, and the long term effects of abuse - helping readers to appreciate the societal, parental, and personal consequences of mental health problems. Part one is dedicated to fundamental aspects in women's mental health. It covers topics from women's health as a global issue to different medical psychological theories, giving an overview of gender in mental health. The second examines clinical aspects of women and mental health. In part three, special clinical topics such as PTSD, self-harm, menopause, violence and its management are investigated. Part four focuses on parental psychiatric disorders, clarifying how mental health and behavioural problems in children can be a marker or consequence of maternal distress. The final two parts look at the topics of women and disability, and legislation and policy. A book of exceptional scope and depth, it will be essential for all those health professionals involved in managing mental health problems in women

This groundbreaking two-volume handbook provides a comprehensive collection of evidence-based analyses of the causes, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders. A two-volume handbook featuring contributions from an international group of experts, and edited by two of the leading authorities on eating disorders and body image research Presents comprehensive coverage of eating disorders, including their history, etiological factors, diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment Tackles controversies and previously unanswered questions in the field Includes coverage of DSM-5 and suggestions for further research at the end of each chapter 2 Volumes

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are increasingly prevalent in today's society and of great concern to a wide range of health-related professionals, including counsellors and psychotherapists. This important new text, written in an intelligent yet accessible style, provides an authoritative and practical introduction to therapeutic work with this large client group. Taking a psychodynamic approach, Working with Eating Disorders also embraces an appreciation of cultural influences and uniquely illustrates the context of eating disorders in today's society.