La grossesse à l'épreuve de l'anorexie

What challenges are facing pregnant women suffering from anorexia nervosa and around what weaknesses should we organize their care in the perinatal phase? Universally, human society considers pregnancy as a time of special psychic maturation, which induces an identity redesign. It sets up a process called motherhood, which enables women to establish new benchmarks. Women who suffer from anorexia can have difficulties to cope with these changes in view of the requirements of perfection and the need to control that drive. The greater emotional lability during the perinatal phase, body changes associated with pregnancy, the idea of coexisting for some time with “a being in development” in a body often abused by the disease as well as the reactivation of identity conflicts are as many issues that may put the anorexic patients in trouble. The alliance between somaticians and mental health workers appears to be essential looking at the risk that hangs over maternal and child mental health. To provide specific support in the perinatal period is an important issue, particularly as the motivation to care can be enhanced by the prospect of hosting a child.