Contextualising Eating Disorders : The Hidden Social Contexts of Unusual Eating

This book rethinks the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders by putting the spotlight on their social and societal contexts, examining how these behaviours are shaped by the difficult life conditions of those suffering.

Drawing on the lived experiences of nine women, this book uses in-depth case studies and interviews to discuss eating disorders with a Social Contextual Analysis framework. It prioritises the women’s own voices about their life conditions and recovery to explore the behaviour of unusual eating patterns. The book identifies common social properties across the nine women, which will become essential context when considering treatment and therapy for unusual eating. Through this more compassionate approach, readers are presented with a detailed example of new ways to analyse and treat the behaviours of mental health and therapy outside of a DSM diagnosis.

Contextualising Eating Disorders is unique in its focus on giving priority to women’s voices and the social contexts behind unusual eating and will be highly relevant for all professionals working with those with unusual eating patterns, as well as students and academics in the fields of social psychology and mental health. This book will also benefit those who themselves are suffering from unusual eating patterns they might not understand.

Bernard Guerin is Professor of Psychology at the University of South Australia. His research and writing try to integrate what we know from the social sciences to provide a contextual view of all human behaviour, talking and thinking.

Millie Tait is a Psychology Honours Graduate from the University of South Australia working in community services. She is interested in supporting people through their life situations labelled as ‘mental health problems’ without pathologising.

Scarlett Kraehe is a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Graduate from the University of South Australia with an interest in gender and race theory.

Nikia Bailey is a Psychologist holding a Master of Psychology (Clinical) from the University of South Australia.