Il disturbo dell'immagine corporea nell'anoressia nervosa. Inquadramento storico-clinico e prospettive terapeutiche.

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder which falls within the DSM-5 in the diagnostic category of nutrition and eating disorders. The three fundamental characteristics of anorexia nervosa are: reduced caloric intake and body weight, which is considerably lower than that considered correct for age, sex and development, fear of gaining weight and becoming fat, and distortion in the perception of one’s body. Among these three core elements of anorexia, the one which generates the most discomfort and the one which allows the pathology to progress is the distortion of one’s body. In anorexia nervosa, the two forms of disorder related to one’s body and one’s image are: body dissatisfaction and distortion of body image. Body dissatisfaction consists of the negative evaluation and discontent of one or more parts of one’s body, these negative feelings are then extended to the whole body, which is defined as wrong and ugly. Whereas distortion of body image consists of seeing the reflection of a false body image in the mirror, which does not reflect one’s real appearance. The treatments and interventions, dedicated to eating disorders, are cognitive behavioral therapy, progressive psychonutritional therapy, MANTRA therapy and family-based treatment; however, there are few interventions aimed at body discomfort. Among the rehabilitation interventions dedicated to the treatment of body image disturbances there is the treatment with virtual reality, the use of expressive arts and exposure to the mirror. In conclusion of my work, I propose the use of Mirror Exposure (ME) as a rehabilitation technique for the treatment of a group of boys and girls diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in a therapeutic-rehabilitative community for eating disorders. The goal of this project is to increase awareness of the sensations and emotions generated by the body in the “here and now”, to promote a non-judgmental and assertive attitude towards one’s body and to eliminate body checking behaviors.