Psychodynamic Viewpoints of the Dyscontrol Syndromes and of Anorexia Nervosa in Particular

Edelstein, E. L.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-73700-8_9

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Weight loss constitutes a source of self-worth and helps combat feelings of inadequacy (Garner, Vitousek, & Pike, 1997; Vitousek & Hollon, 1990). A similar view was expressed by Edelstein (1989), who noted that anorexia satisfies patients' compulsive need to master their vital drive of hunger (see also Huebner, 1993). A sense of control may also be important in OCD, in which the symptoms provide patients with a measure for overcoming their fear of loss of control over their impulsive behaviors (e.g., Denys, de Geus, van Megen, & Westenberg, 2004; Horowitz, 2004, pp.…”

Section: Unawareness: a Self-deceptive Processmentioning

confidence: 64%

The rational-choice theory of neurosis: Unawareness and an integrative therapeutic approach.

Rofé¹

2010

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

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In agreement with Freud (1915aFreud ( , 1915b, patients' unawareness regarding the underlying causes of their behavior seems to be the key to understanding the development and treatment of neurotic disorders. However, Freud's concepts of the unconscious and repression have encountered serious problems that do not allow for their maintenance (see review by Rofe ´, 2008). An additional issue concerns the fact that none of the available theories can integrate the therapeutic effects of various interventions under a single theoretical framework. Both of these issues are addressed in this article by the rational-choice theory of neurosis (RCTN). RCTN maintains that patients consciously and deliberately adopt neurotic disorders when confronted with intolerable levels of stress. Unawareness is created through sophisticated cognitive processes, by which patients forget their own self-involvement. Subsequently, patients develop a self-deceptive belief that rationalizes the neurotic behavior, thereby preserving unawareness. According to this new theory, all therapies exert their effect either by disrupting patients' ability to preserve unawareness, increasing the cost of the symptom, decreasing the patient's emotional distress, or eliminating the stressor.

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Section: Unawareness: a Self-deceptive Processmentioning

confidence: 64%

The rational-choice theory of neurosis: Unawareness and an integrative therapeutic approach.

Rofé¹

2010

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Psychodynamic Viewpoints of the Dyscontrol Syndromes and of Anorexia Nervosa in Particular

Cited by 1 publication

References 7 publications

The rational-choice theory of neurosis: Unawareness and an integrative therapeutic approach.

The rational-choice theory of neurosis: Unawareness and an integrative therapeutic approach.

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