Psychosomatic family: An influential theoretical model from which the family treatment of eating disorders was originally derived. The "psychosomatic family" hypothesized that an eating disorder developed in a dysfunctional family, one characterized by rigidity, enmeshment, over-involvement and conflict avoidance or conflict non-resolution. The goal of family therapy was to alter the way the family functioned. Research has since shown that family environment does not cause the illness; however, as an eating disorder can undermine family life -- and as a result, recovery -- modern treatment providers have evolved the concept of family therapy to be about working with the family's strengths and not assuming the family was dysfunctional. Keywords: define Psychosomatic family, definition Psychosomatic family, definition of Psychosomatic family, meaning Psychosomatic family, dictionary Psychosomatic family, what is Psychosomatic family If you came to the F.E.A.S.T. Eating Disorders Glossary from a page on the F.E.A.S.T site, click the "go back" button in your internet browser to return to that page; if not, we welcome you to visit the FEAST home page for a wealth of information on evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, support for parents and families, the latest eating disorders research, a forum for parents and caregivers, useful books, etc. |