Eating and Feeding Disorders (EFDs) have shown a significant increase in the post-pandemic era, representing a complex clinical challenge involving the interaction between neurobiology, embodiment, and psychosocial context. They are situated in that boundary area between bodily and mental subjectivity, sociality and culture, making them significant examples of the intertwining of individuality and historical-social and family context.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, these disorders assume particular relevance due to their neurobiological and psychological implications and their impact on attachment bonds.

Starting from a critical review of psychological and neuroscientific literature on EFDs in the perinatal period, this contribution aims to present clinical vignettes drawn from psychotherapy sessions with pregnant or postpartum women with eating and feeding disorders. The objective is to propose reflections, analyze therapeutic challenges in mind-body integration, and open new perspectives for research into more effective psychotherapeutic interventions for perinatal eating disorders.

Dora Aliprandi is a psychologist and psychotherapist, certified by SIPRe, she has been a member of the Group Unit since 2012. Since 2005, she has collaborated with ABA (Bulimia, Anorexia and Eating Disorders Association), where she provides individual and group psychotherapy. Since 2015, she has been Head of the Scientific Committee and Head of Training and Prevention Activities. She supervises public clinical centers and teaches training courses on DNA clinics. Since 2023, she has been a member of the Technical Committee on the Psychology of Nutrition and Eating Disorders organized by the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy. Since September 2019, she has been a member of the Association for EMDR.