Information détaillée du papier
| Titre de l’article | Cultural case study of a Cambodian woman suffering from Anorexia Nervosa combining anthropology and psychology |
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| Code d’article | P14 |
| Auteurs | |
| Forme de présentation | Poster |
| Domaines thématiques |
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| Résumé (Abstract) |
In the past, eating disorders have been characterized as culture-bound syndromes, specific to Caucasian subjects in Western, industrialized societies. During the last few decades, studies have demonstrated that eating disorders and abnormal eating behaviours do occur in non-Western countries and among ethnic minorities, and that the characteristics of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) exhibit significant cross-cultural differences. AN has never been described in Cambodia. An insufficient number of psychiatrists (56 for the whole country) and competition with traditional medicine explain therapeutic itineraries that do not lead patients suffering from AN to consult psychiatrists. The objective of this study is to describe a lived experience of a Cambodian woman suffering from anorexia nervosa and to interpret its psychopathological characteristics using a complementarist approach combining anthropology and psychoanalysis. The methodology of this study is based on a qualitative research on an adult patient with AN, and not familiar with Western culture, using a series of in-depth individual and family interviews. Data analysis is conducted using a complementarist approach based on anthropology and psychoanalysis. The symptomatology of the patient's disorder shows characteristics that are different from what is commonly described in the West: no fat-phobia and no dysmorphophobia. Psychosomatic complaints (such as abdominal pain) are prominent, making this case similar to those reported in mainland China and Hong-Kong. AN as presented by this patient can be understood symbolically by taking the patient's family and socio-cultural context into account, notably her rejection of marriage. AN exists in the context of Cambodian culture. Our study is the first to describe its existence. This case of AN in Cambodia displays features that differ from what is currently described in the West. Notably, its psychosomatic presentation makes its detection more difficult for mental health professionals. Our study supports the view of AN as a universal means used by women throughout cultures to control their body and symbolically defend the use that is made of it. |