AN occurs due to an unconscious desire to remain childlike.
Crisp proposed that self starvation and loss of body weight resulting in postponement of menstruation was an attempt by the girl to reamin in a pre-pubertal state and avoid the responsibilities of adulthood.
Freud believed that eating and sex are symbolically linked. To refuse food represents a refusal of sexuality.
They may be unconsciously trying to prevent sexual maturity- this occurs in reality as menstruation ceases and breasts stop developing. It may be because of early sexual assault.
Bruch suggested that anorexics often have ineffective parents who ignore their childs needs and make inaccurate decisions as to whether they are hungry or tired.
This can make anorexics overly reliant on their parents and in adolescence, desperate to have control of their lives, may take control by extreme measures such as restricting eating.
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