Typological features of eating disorder patients: A review of publications

Abstract

Despite the fact that the development and course of various types of eating disorders, and therefore their treatment, largely depend on the typological characteristics of patients, this aspect has been understudied. The purpose of the study is to review the problem of providing psychological assistance to eating disorder patients with various typological features. Using methods of analysis, synthesis, and comparison, the paper emphasises the importance of typological features of eating disorder patients in providing psychotherapeutic care. Patients with certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, the need for control, and impulsivity, have been found to be prone to eating disorders, while these typological personality traits, along with many others, have been shown to help build treatment strategies for anorexia nervosa, compulsive overeating, and bulimia nervosa. The analysis showed that there are traits specific to certain eating disorders that can be reinforced in overcoming food addiction. The influence of personal characteristics on the choice of psychotherapy strategy and the possibility of forming psychotherapeutic relationships are covered. The importance of typological features of eating disorder patients in the provision of psychotherapeutic care is revealed. To enhance the effectiveness of selecting a psychotherapeutic care strategy and establishing psychotherapeutic relationships, this paper summarises the primary personal characteristics associated with different types of eating disorders. Attention is paid to typical behavioural manifestations in the presence of one of the types of eating disorders. The main prerequisites for the development of a personality prone to dependent behaviour are substantiated. The central perspective on the role of the family in the development of an eating disorder is established. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of using the findings to expand the understanding of the typological features of patients with food addiction to provide effective psychotherapeutic care.