Evolutionary Approach to Understanding and Treating Anorexia Nervosa and Other Eating Problems : A Biopsychosocial Approach

An Evolutionary Approach to Understanding and Treating Anorexia Nervosa and Other Eating Problems embarks on an enlightening exploration of the intricate web that intertwines human evolution and the complex world of eating disorders. This book delves deep into the enigmatic realm of anorexia nervosa (AN), revealing the underlying mechanisms that have confounded clinicians for years. Drawing upon the latest research in neuroscience and genetics, Dr. Guisinger challenges conventional notions, contending that eating disorders are not simply psychological aberrations but rather adaptive responses forged by our ancestors' historical struggle against famine. This groundbreaking book unravels the neuroendocrine transformations that take place in genetically susceptible individuals when faced with starvation, shedding light on the bewildering juxtaposition of extreme hunger and the relentless fear of food.
Each chapter guides readers through the intricate phases of treatment, offering a comprehensive roadmap for clinicians and caregivers. From the initial stages of treatment amidst starvation to the challenging journey of restoring patients to a healthy weight, this book provides a vital understanding of the physiological changes that must occur for a full recovery. This book also addresses the inherent flaws in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and showcases the outcomes of psychotherapy research. But beyond anorexia nervosa, Dr. Shan Guisinger extends her expertise to encompass a broader perspective on the evolutionary roots of various eating disorders, ultimately emphasizing the pressing need to acknowledge and accommodate the universal influence of culture's stringent beauty standards. An Evolutionary Approach to Understanding and Treating Anorexia Nervosa and Other Eating Problems is a paramount guide for clinicians and researchers alike, offering a fresh and illuminating approach that bridges the gap between science and compassion, ultimately leading us toward more effective treatments and greater empathy for those afflicted by these complex conditions.

• Provides a structured and informed approach to cognitive behavioral therapies tailored to these specific conditions, offering clinicians and therapists valuable insights into effective treatment strategies.
• Empowers mental health professionals with a wide array of approaches, ensuring that they can adapt and tailor treatments to the unique needs of each patient.
• Offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and treating a range of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and ARFID, all through an evolutionary lens
• Equips readers with a diverse toolbox of therapeutic techniques
• Delves into the evolutionary underpinnings and provides a deeper understanding of the roots of eating disorders, enhancing the reader's capacity for empathy and insight into the complexities of these conditions
• Explores the fascinating question of why teen girls might have been evolutionarily selected to search for better lands during famine

Shan Guisinger is an eating disorders therapist and researcher. Shan trained as an evolutionary biologist before getting a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in clinical psychology and doing postdoctoral work at the Yale University’s Eating Disorders Clinic. In her research and practice, she seeks to understand how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to create or ameliorate emotional and eating problems. She has written about how chaos theory can help us understand the spontaneous patterning of evolution and our emotional and cognitive lives. Shan has authored theoretical articles on the interplay of individuality and interpersonal relatedness for The American Psychologist and on the evolutionary sense of anorexia nervosa for Psychological Review. She is coeditor and author of a recent book on some applications of chaos theory to psychology from Oxford University Press.