Presented by Daniel Toriola
OCD is characterized by recurrent intense obsessions and/or compulsions that cause severe discomfort and
interfere with day-to-day functioning. OCD affects men and women equally and normally develops in younger
people and children first.
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Eating Disorders and the Narcissist
By Sam Vaknin
Eating Disorders and the Narcissist
by: Sam Vaknin
Patients suffering from eating disorders binge on food and sometimes are both anorectic and bulimic.
This is an impulsive behaviour as defined by the DSM (particularly in the case of BPD and to a lesser
extent of Cluster B disorders in general). Some patients develop these disorders as a way to
self-mutilate. It is a convergence of two pathological behaviours: self-mutilation and an impulsive
(rather, compulsive or ritualistic) behaviour.
The key to improving the mental state of patients with dual diagnosis (a personality disorder plus an
eating disorder) lies in concentrating upon their eating and sleeping disorders.
By controlling their eating disorders, patients assert control over their lives. This is bound to reduce
their depression (even eliminate it altogether as a constant feature of their mental life). This is likely to
ameliorate other facets of their personality disorders. Here is the chain: controlling one's eating
disorders controlling one's life enhanced sense of self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem a challenge,
an interest, an enemy to subjugate a feeling of strength socialising feeling better.
When a patient has a personality disorder and an eating disorder, the therapist should concentrate on
the eating disorder. Personality disorders are intricate and intractable. They are rarely curable (though
certain aspects, like OCD, or depression can be ameliorated with medication). Their treatment calls for