Based on recent literature in which obesity is considered a psychosomatic disease, the authors present results of a study attempting to identify the degree of alexithymia and symbolic function inhibition in two overweight groups (moderately and morbidly obese) and compare the results with a normal-weight control group. The sample was composed of 95 subjects divided into three groups. The results revealed that the two obese groups were generally more alexithymic and had a higher degree of symbolic function inhibition than normal-weight controls. Nevertheless, the two alexithymia measures used in this study disclosed inconsistent results. The data are discussed in terms of etiological, methodological and treatment implications.

This controlled study explores weight change in relation to certain personality and behavioural characteristics in a population of morbidly obese individuals who have undergone a gastric procedure to lose weight. In particular, measures of alexithymia and symbolic function were used, and the results of the study indicate that these concepts are particularly helpful in understanding obese individuals, and aetiology and treatment of their condition.

Psychoanalytic asPects of assisted RePRoductive technology.

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