Body image disturbance in anorexia nervosa: beyond body image

Abstract

In this paper the literature on body image disturbance in anorexic patients is reviewed. After a decade of experimental investigation of body image in anorexia nervosa, where old and new techniques have been used and where a large number of correlations have been identified, what do we really know? The findings have been conflicting but some regularities exist. It is hypothesized that the conflicting results may be related to the presence of different subgroups among anorexics and different types of body image disturbance. Body size estimation is only one dimension of body image perception. Likewise, body size overestimation is only one aspect of body image perception. Likewise, body size overestimation is only one aspect of body image disturbance. Some, but not all anorexics, overestimate their body size, and those who do, seem to have poor prognosis. Body size overestimation is not confined to anorexics. It is not known whether it is a function of a general perceptual/cognitive disorder, but it does seem to be stable over time. The implications of the presence of other psychiatric conditions in anorexic patients are discussed and suggestions for future research and for practice are made.