Addiction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride a Book Review

Marion Woodman is a Jungian analyst, writer and international psychology teacher. With over a half-million books sold Woodman is one of the leading authors on psychology, and feminine studies. "Addiction to Perfection," is Woodman's most popular book as it deals with eating disorders including; anorexia and bulimia (Addiction).

In "Addiction to Perfection," Woodman explores the roots of eating disorders and relationship addiction with a psychological approach. Themes within "Addiction to Perfection," include; the importance of the ego as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, eating disorders and rejection, as well as an overview of the Demon-lover archetype.

It is Woodman's theory that addiction to food, whether through binging or abstaining from eating is a reaction to inner pain whose source is rejection. The mother is generally the rejector, but sometimes the father. Either way, in order to reduce the symptoms of an eating disorder, the underlining psychological disturbance requires exploration, while developing proper eating habits (Addiction).

In the first few chapters of Woodman's "Addiction to Perfection," a discussion of the ego and its relationship to addiction is a central theme that repeats throughout the novel. Marion states "The stronger the ego is the more flexible it becomes (Addiction, Pg 36)."

Many analysands who come in to Woodman's therapeutic sessions do so with weak egos. The patient's ego has been consumed by the subconscious and make the analysand susceptible to the projection's of others. A projection is an internal image i.e. mother, father that we see in others whether consciously or unconsciously. To achieve wholeness is perfection, and to achieve wholeness a person must withdraw their projections from others while integrating material from the subconscious into their conscious awareness (Addiction).

One of Woodman's primaries theories about eating disorders is that they are a cause of rejection from the patient's mother and the rejection forms a negative mother complex. A complex is a source of stress found within the subconscious that requires resolution. When a person does not receive nurturing, compassion, or love early in life a negative mother complex can form. Woodman summarizes her theory here "Like the obese person, her food complex, is rooted in the negative mother (or anorexic person, Addiction, Pg 52)."

Therefore, a female who does not receive acceptance, early in life from their mother would attempt to cope with the pain through self-destructive eating or unfulfilling relationships. A woman might begin binge-eating or refrain from eating entirely, unless the negative-mother complex is given attention eating issues would continue (Addiction).

As well, women who are abandoned early in life by their fathers, whether through alcoholism or death will seek out a partner, referred to by Woodman as the "demon-lover." Woodman states, "The girl most vulnerable to the demon lover is the one who adores or fears the idealized father. (If he is absent through divorce alcoholism or death, her adoration may even be intense, Addiction, Pg 135)."

A demon-lover is a man who is emotionally unavailable i.e. liar, seducer, serial-cheater. However, a woman with an absent father will idealize this type of man. Many men who appear in the guise of the demon-lover are not psychologically mature and are seeking a mother as a partner rather than a mature woman (Addiction).

For a woman to experience inner-wholeness and self-satisfaction she needs to become aware of her own masculine energy or animus. As well, she must surrender to her animus and, thereby, allow herself to trust a partner more fully. "The great container, the self, is paradoxically both male and female and contains both (male and female energies, Addiction, Pg 188)."

For a man in the guise of the demon-lover archetype he must become aware of his own female energy or anima, accept, then withdraw his projections on women as mother figures while integrating his own female energy (Addiction).

"Addiction to Perfection," is a novel of approximately 200 pages that contains a great deal of information on eating disorders, mother-daughter relationships, ego development, and many more feminine focused topics. The novel is from a feminine view primarily for women but many of the subjects can be reversed to give men a deeper understanding of their own inner motivations, drives, and desires.

For those with an interest in psychology and who wish to learn more about dream interpretation, and bodywork this is a must read. Additional writings by Woodman include; "The Ravaged Bridegroom," "Leaving My Father's House," "The Maiden King," and "The Pregnant Virgin." For a complete book list check Woodman's homepage below.

For a review of Woodman's "Pregnant Virgin," check here: The Pregnant Virgin: A Book Review

Sources:

Woodman, M. (1982). Additction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride. Toronto: Inner City Books.

Marion Woodman's Homepage Book List