A Lacanian Reading of Anorexia

This book presents a Lacanian perspective on the understanding and treatment of anorexia, supported by case material, research and theoretical insight from the author’s 25 years of clinical practice. Domenico Cosenza explains how anorexia constitutes a challenge for contemporary psychoanalytic clinicians, assesses previous theoretical understandings and examines clinical contributions from other schools of psychoanalysis. Cosenza argues that anorexia cannot be treated by following a classical psychoanalytic path, and here draws on numerous clinical cases to articulate a Lacanian approach which addresses core concerns not resolved elsewhere. Elaborating on Lacanian concepts including refusal and the object nothing, Cosenza offers a new approach for all psychoanalytically-informed clinicians working with anorexia. A Lacanian Reading of Anorexia will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists interested in Lacanian perspectives and the dynamic-analytical approach in the treatment of anorexia.

Introduction. 1. The Anorexic Solution 2. Anorexia as a Frontier in the Contemporary Clinical Debate 3. The Anorexic Question in Psychoanalysis Between Narcissism and Dependence 4.Anorexia in Lacan's Teaching 5.Lacanian Readingsof Anorexia 6. The Four Functions of Refusal inAnorexia Nervosa 7. The Object Nothing in the Lacanian Clinic of Anorexia 8.The Teaching of InfantileAnorexia 9.Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescence 10.Guidelines in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa 11.Conclusion

Domenico Cosenza is a psychoanalyst in private practice in Milan, Italy. He is an Analyst Member and past President of the Lacanian School of Psychoanalysis (SLP) and a member of the World Association of Psychoanalysis (WAP).