720287 SE Clinical psychological intervention: Eating disorders in children and adolescents

summer semester 2024 | Last update: 07.11.2024 Place course on memo list
720287
SE Clinical psychological intervention: Eating disorders in children and adolescents
SE 2
4
weekly
each semester
German

The aim of this seminar is to discuss studies on the maladaptive eating behaviour, etiological aspects and intervention in children and adolescents with eating disorders. Furthermore we will discuss developmental issues and new directions for attachment research in psychotherapy for adolescents with eating disorders.

Although eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa can affect females and males of all age groups, the average age of onset is during adolescence. It seems as if adolescents are the most at-risk group of people to develop an eating disorder. The period of adolescence can be characterised by intense changes on the physical, social and psychological level. This can cause a great deal of stress, confusion, anxiety and the adolescents might feel a tremendous pressure to create their own identity, define their goals for the future and adjust to their maturing bodies. When it comes to attachment, one of the key developmental goals in adolescence is to achieve independence from attachment figures and at the same time still need their emotional availability. Therefore, it can be argued that symptoms might be one manifestation of the disruption of the attachment processes during that sensitive period. However, empirical studies exploring the connection between attachment and eating disorders and implications for treatment in this age group have only recently begun.

Based on the presentation of clinical case studies from the child and adolescent psychiatry, students will get an insight into the treatment situation and new psychotherapeutic interventions for inpatients with eating disorders. To pass this seminar a presentation, participation in discussions and a seminar paper is required.

Presentation and seminar paper

to be announced

see dates