Psychological Factors |
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Psychological (emotional) factors are operative in every person whether he is obese or not. There does not appear to be a single psychological problem peculiar to the obese state, nor one common to all obese persons. However, psychological factors may cause overweight, or help to maintain it through their influence on dietary habits. The role of psychic and emotional factors must be assessed especially when anxiety is a conspicuous feature and the person eats more calories than proper hunger calls for. Attempts at weight reduction may have adverse effects in some individuals with more serious psychological problems. The doctor may avoid or at least postpone treatment in those few situations where it may actually be harmful. Psychiatric consultation or treatment is required for only a small portion of obese patients. The general practitioner, the internist, or (for children) the pediatrician usually can provide suitable guidance and support as part of total patient management. The indispensable will to lose weight is most readily induced by that physician with the most complete knowledge of the patient, his family, and his unique environment, especially if he assumes responsibility for the patient's over-all care above and beyond the reducing regimen. Rather than concentrating on the management of obesity, the aim of treatment now is more appropriately thought of as the guidance of the patient who is obese—of the whole person. |
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