Maturity fears in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Maturity fears (MF) is a relevant feature of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN). The presence of MF and its implications in the outcome of AN is described. A review of specialized textbooks and the available literature in PubMed was made. Bruch (1974) and Crisp (1997) models have related the psychosexual immaturity to the regression to a prepubescent body as a maladaptative mechanism to confront the bio-psycho-social changes due to the transition to adulthood; as well as the individual vulnerability, family dynamics and deficits in mother/daughter bond. These findings show that MF are significantly correlated to an early onset of the disorder, primary amenorrhea, restrictive subtype of AN, feminine gender role, asceticism, self-discipline, hypercontrol, self-injury behaviors, treatment drop out, and negative outcome. There was a significant improvement of MF in anorexic adolescents included in a psycho educational programme and family therapy. One of the core characteristics of the AN is the MF underlined in classical paradigms and based on the current scientific evidence. MF should be considered a central therapeutic aspect and a prognostic index in AN.