Social
Constructionism and Eating Disorders:
Relinquishing Labels and Embracing Personal Stories
Tracey
L. Duran, Lisa B. Cashion,
Tracy A. Gerber and Gloria J. Mendez-Ybanez
Our
Lady of the Lake University
Unusual
eating behaviors have been attributed in various times and
places to piety, biological malfunctions, and psychological
turmoil within the individual or family. This article explores
historical accounts of so-called "eating disorders"
and then contrasts the modern conceptualization of anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa with the postmodern understanding
of construction and treatment of these disorders. The role
played by culture, family, peers, and the media will be
linked to the social construction of eating disorders, suggesting
implications for treatment based upon a social constructionist
model of therapy. A brief overview of this model is followed
by personal narratives of clients and success stories of
leading professionals in the field of psychology. The application
of postmodern therapy to the realm of eating disorders represents
new and relatively uncharted territory. Despite its potential
limitations, social constructionism offers a respectful
process of treatments and opens an abundance of possibilities
for future research.
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