Early Life Loss and Trauma

Abstract

The onset of an eating disorder in middle-age men is poorly researched as are eating disorders in men generally. Therefore, life events that influence eating disorders in men, including delayed onset of an eating disorder remains unknown. Given the limited understanding of males with eating disorders and limited access to large samples of men with eating disorders, an in-depth analysis of a single case of a male in middle age with an eating disorder was chosen to gain insight and understanding into this phenomenon. A Life History approach explored the case of Joseph (pseudonym), who was diagnosed at age 44 years with an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Data were collected through (a) life course open-ended questioning through interviews, (b) written statements, and (c) comments on transcripts. Three themes emerged, loss and unworthiness, becoming bigger, and wanting to change reflecting eating behaviors associated with attachment disruption, loss and trauma, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect. Later in life, an emotional "tipping point" precipitated an eating disorder. Results indicate traumatic loss leading to early attachment disruption as influential in Joseph's delayed onset of an eating disorder. The value of thorough narrative life histories during therapy when eating disorders occur late in life is discussed as well as the significance for men.

Farmers’ Adaptive Strategies in Balancing Commercial Farming and Consumption of Nutritious Foods: Case Study of Myanmar

“…Narrative inquiry and other forms of qualitative non-structured inquiry have been used to explore food stories in several studies. It has been applied to understand food choice factors [47], to explore food related meanings [48], eating disorders [49,50], relationships with food [51], and healthy eating [52]. Narrative inquiry has also been used to understand whole food systems, including production aspects [53].…”

Farmers’ tales: adaptive strategies for agricultural commercialisation and food and nutrition security in Myanmar

“…On the side of consumption narrative inquiry has been applied to understand food choice factors in a population (Edquist, Koch, & Contento, 2009), to explore food related meanings (Hocking, Clair, Bunrayong, 2002;James & Curtis, 2010;Newcombe, McCarthy, Cronin & McCarthy, 2012), eating disorders (Papathomas & Lavallee, 2011;McCormack et al, 2014), relationship with food (Busanich, 2013), healthy eating (Rosen, 2015).…”