ABSTRACT
The author introduces the basic concepts of Transactional Analysis: Parent, Adult and Child and proposes ways of using this model in understanding the psychological influences behind overeating. Further division of the ego-states into Natural Child, Adapted Child and Rebellious Child, Nurturing Parent and Controlling Parent enables the reader to track dialogue from the past and recognise how the commands and messages continue to operate in the present. There is a focus on the historical familial behaviour and sayings around food and eating, relating these to recognisable parent figures in the childhood, teenage years and into the present. The reader is encouraged to reflect on their current unhelpful beliefs and to trace the origins of those beliefs with the aid of questions. There is reference to how there is emphasis on using the Adult ego state to work out what is going on and to make new choices. The author also introduces the idea of deliberately putting a brief pause between the impulse to eat and the action of eating to provide space to reflect on body sensations, thoughts and feelings. This first chapter in this second half of the book aims to lead the reader into their unique journey towards understanding themselves and to eventual weight loss.
