Impossible Bodies, Invisible Battles: Feminist Perspectives on the Psychological Research on and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Queer Women

Abstract

Queer women have not been adequately represented in the literature on eating disorders, and as such, ideas about eating disorders in queer women are often rooted in stereotypes. This article aims to synthesize the research on eating disorders in queer women, with an emphasis on existing shortcomings and necessary future directions. A critique of current literature and existing findings related to eating and body image problems in queer women are presented, followed by a discussion of the current disjuncture between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for eating disorders and culturally competent modifications of CBT for queer clients. Recommendations for the integration of feminist methods in research and practice are made, with the emphasis that improved understanding of sexually diverse women's experiences with eating disorders will create more accurate research findings, better treatment options for such clients, and a richer and more nuanced understanding of eating disorders in general.