How I practice: Similarities between recovery from anorexia nervosa and resolution of geopolitical conflict

Clinicians treating anorexia often report that myriad and diverse attempts at treatment are met with resistance by patients, and are ultimately unsuccessful at fostering change. Many approaches to treating anorexia view the disorder as a kind of invader who must be combated and eradicated in order for the individual to recover. In this article the author proposes that such approaches fail to acknowledge fundamental aspects of the relationship between an individual and her anorexia, and that they ultimately impede or obstruct recovery. It is argued that a diplomatic approach similar to those used in resolving geopolitical conflict is more effective.