Abstract

Through a presentation of two cases, this paper explores the complexity of obesity from a psychoanalytic perspective, contributing to a deeper understanding of the psychological aspects that contribute to this complex phenomenon. Through the prism of psychoanalytic theories, we will focus on the deeper causes of obesity by exploring emotional traumas, defense mechanisms, and symbolic features that are associated with excessive food intake. We will also explore how psychoanalytic concepts such as projection, repression and identification can shape an individual’s relationship towards their body and food. Psychoanalysis provides insight into the ways in which individuals use food as a means of self-gratification or as a substitute for other unmet needs. Through an analysis of symbolic aspects of obesity, we will study how the body becomes a space for expressing deep-seated emotional conflicts. This paper emphasizes the importance of psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic approaches in a multidisciplinary approach to treating adiposity, offering a deeper understanding and targeted interventions at the emotional level.