[Psychopathologic patterns in obesity].
The problem of relationship between obesity and psychological distress is debated in the literature wherein a lot of studies exists with controversial results. The phenomenon of obesity is actually considered with criteria aimed to evaluate almost exclusively the weight excess. Even if such criteria have the advantage to permit a scientific communicability, in the clinical settings the focus of obesity involves medical as well psychiatric aspects. The psychological aspects that may have a relevant role in the development of obesity must be recognized and distinguished from those that may be a direct consequence of obesity itself. In fact, certain obese subjects (no-binge obese) may not experience any psychological distress during lifetime whereas other obese subjects (binge obese) may have a significant and highly distressing psychological suffering. Therefore, obese persons seem to represent a heterogeneous population with different adaptive characteristics who may show several and complex psychological mechanisms and distresses. A psychotherapeutic approach seems to be essential to treat such psychological distress that may heavily concur to the development and the maintenance of obesity.
Carano
Alessandro
A
Dipartimento di Oncologia e Neuroscienze, Istituto di Psichiatria, Università G. D'Annunzio di Chieti. acarcidip@tiscali.it
De Berardis
Domenico
D
Gambi
Francesco
F
Salerno
Maria Rosa
MR
Campanella
Daniela
D
Castrovilli
Mariella
M
Cotellessa
Carla
C
Ferro
Filippo Maria
FM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy