Self-objectification and Eating disorders: the psychopathological and neural processes from psychological distortion to psychosomatic illness

Abstract

Self-objectification, characterized by treating oneself primarily as a physical entity (A body) or a collection of body parts, has been linked to the development of eating disorders. Yet, the precise mechanisms underpinning this link have remained elusive. From a psychopathological perspective, this article proposes that both self-objectification and eating disorders can be seen as manifestations of self-rumination (repetitive, negative self-focus). While self-objectification involves psychological rumination, eating disorders encompass a complex interplay of psychological and physical (bodily) rumination. In addition, at the neural level, the underlying neural foundations underlying such self-rumination are likely rooted in brain activity and connectivity within networks associated with self-reference, cognitive control, and body perception. Collectively, these perspectives shed light on the psychopathological and neural processes that links self-objectification to the onset of eating disorders.