Eating difficulties, particularly in obesity, have been inadequately treated. Interpretations of the symbolic meaning of food and eating describe but do not

explain the psychopathology. The problem is how a bodily function can be transformed and misused in the service of nonnutritional needs. The primary disorder is due to faulty learning experiences in early life. If the mother's reaction to the child's sensation of hunger fails to validate the inner experience (by neglect, oversolicitousness, etc.) a confusion develops in his perception of body clues. Unable to experience his body sensations appropriately, he cannot differentiate himself from objects outside. The clinical symptoms and defense mechanisms are secondary to the basic deficiency in cognition.