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Through the Relational Cultural Theory we are able to focus on the role disconnection plays in individuals who cope using an eating disorder. In addition to eating disorders, other self-harming techniques like self-injury and substance abuse serve as a protective barrier between the client and others. Understanding the root of the disconnection plays a major role in treating the self harm and fostering self-empathy, which in turn can result in successful treatment.
Identifying the need for individual, community and societal change when it comes to eating disorders is a must. Addressing this issues at each level can provide the education and services needed to potentially treat and prevent eating disorders and the vast number of individuals effected by them each day.
Jean Baker Miller training institute. (2016). Retrieved November 30, 2016, from https://www.jbmti.org/Our-Work/relational-cultural-theory
Jean Baker Miller, M.D. (1986). What Do We Mean by Relationships? Work In Progress
Mary Tantillo, PhD, RN, CS FAED, & Jennifer L. Sanftner, PhD (2010). Measuring Perceived Mutuality in Women With Eating Disorders: The Development of the Connection-Disconnection Scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 18, 100–119. doi:10.1891/1061-3749.18.2.100
Trepal, H. C., Boie, I., & Kress, V. E. (2012). A relational cultural approach to working with clients with eating disorders. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(3), 346–356. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2012.00043.x
Anorexia Nervosa: refusal to maintain normal body weight, maintain less than 85% of expected body weight, miss 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, manifest intense fear of weight gain and body image disturbance.
Bulimia Nervosa: Experience pinging and purging 2 x per week for a minimum of 3 months.
A person may still be considered to have an eating disorder without meeting all of the criteria required for diagnosis.
-"How do you view yourself?"
-"Why am I self harming?"
-"If I am ____, then the other person will ____."
Causes:
Result of Disconnection
May Lead to Self-harming behaviors in order to:
Eating disorders are examples of self-harming behaviors resulting from disconnection
“Disease of disconnection” (Tantillo, 2006, pg. 86)
Disconnection to preserve emotional & physical safety
Eating disorder becomes an ally; something to trust
Connection: 5 Good Things = Mutual Empathy
Disconnection: failure to achieve mutual empathy as a result of routine challenges in relationships.
Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) is a theoretical approach, which suggests that all growth needs connection and context, rather than individuation, and all growth fostering relationships need mutual empathy and mutual empowerment (Jordan & Hartling, 2002).