What is it about?
In the obesity world much is discussed about the bio-chemistry of fat and the toxic food environment. What is neglected in this discussion is that early attachment insecurity gives rise to a compromised self regulation system. Self regulation is central in the interface with food. Attachment pattens are encoded during the first 18 months of life - this is called the "critical time". Coming out of this "critical time" with an Insecure or disorganized attachment pattern gives rise to dysregulation of self control and emotions. This article discusses the implication of developmental trauma and its direct connection to overeating, and obesity.
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Why is it important?
Developmental trauma and its interface with obesity has been a much neglected area. Obesity has become a global problem. Focus has been on the toxic food environment, i.e. fast foods, etc. In addition to genetics, and the toxic food environment, the ability to develop secure attachments undergirds the ability to self - regulate . Without this, a range of emotional and behavioral problems ensue. Amongst them, uncontrolled overeating as a substitute for that which was not realized early on in development.
Perspectives
I hope that the perspective of looking at overeating and obesity through the window of developmental trauma can give rise to a better integration of the psychological and biochemical fields. The mind body connection is very powerful. John Bowlby, Mary Main, Mary Ainsworth laid the groundwork for attachment theory. Allan Schore then went on to discuss attachment and regulation and the developing brain: modern regulation theory . If one does not have a secure attachment during the "critical phase" of life's beginning, this is a set up for later psychopathology and issues in self regulation. Uncontrolled overeating leading to overweight and obesity is one outgrowth of early attachment trauma.
Fran Weiss
Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NYC; New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in affiliation with Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons in Manhattan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Implications of Attachment Theory and Neuroscience for the Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Obesity and Overeating, American Journal of Psychotherapy, May 2018, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20180002.
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