Alison Lopes dos Santos, Camila Pereira de Souza, Lucas Guimarães Bloc

O corpo obeso de João

Introduction

O corpo obeso de joão. Estudo fenomenológico detalha a experiência da obesidade em psicoterapia. O corpo obeso de João, visto como protetor e limitador, revela conflitos de autoimagem, alimentação e sexualidade.

Abstract

Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a experiência vivida da obesidade de um paciente acompanhado em processo de psicoterapia por meio da fenomenologia da ambiguidade de Merleau-Ponty. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso, com dados coletados através de transcrições das sessões e versões de sentido elaboradas pelo psicoterapeuta. A amostra foi composta por um participante adulto do sexo masculino, diagnosticado com obesidade grau III. A análise foi realizada pelo método fenomenológico crítico, que investiga fenômenos manifestos à consciência, amplamente utilizado em estudos de psicologia clínica, psicoterapia e psicopatologia. Os resultados indicaram que o paciente percebe o corpo obeso como simultaneamente protetor e limitador, vivenciando conflitos relacionados à alimentação, autoimagem e sexualidade. Conclui-se que a obesidade não se restringe à dimensão física, sendo uma experiência entrelaçada ao mundo, à história pessoal e aos múltiplos contornos que configuram o vivido do indivíduo.

Review

The study, "O corpo obeso de João," offers a compelling and deeply focused exploration into the lived experience of obesity, anchored by a robust theoretical framework. The stated objective—to comprehend this experience through Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of ambiguity—is admirably clear and relevant, particularly in a field often dominated by purely biomedical perspectives. The qualitative, single-case study design is an appropriate choice for achieving such in-depth understanding, and the data collection method, utilizing psychotherapy session transcripts and the psychotherapist's elaborated sense-making versions, provides a rich, authentic source for phenomenological inquiry. This methodological choice elegantly positions the study to uncover the subjective complexities of obesity, setting a strong foundation for meaningful insights. The methodological choice of the critical phenomenological method is well-suited for investigating phenomena manifest to consciousness within a clinical context, aligning perfectly with the study's aims. The findings are particularly insightful, revealing that the patient perceives the obese body as a paradoxical entity—simultaneously protective and limiting. This tension manifests in significant conflicts related to alimentation, self-image, and sexuality, richly illustrating the multifaceted nature of the experience. The conclusion, emphasizing that obesity transcends mere physical dimension to become an experience intricately interwoven with the individual's world, personal history, and lived contours, is a powerful affirmation of the study's phenomenological success and its contribution to a more holistic understanding of health and illness. While a single-case study, by its nature, does not aim for generalizability, its profound depth offers invaluable clinical insights for psychotherapists working with patients experiencing obesity. The detailed analysis of João's experience provides a foundational understanding that can inform more nuanced, empathetic, and patient-centered approaches to care. Future research could build upon this excellent work by employing comparative case studies to explore variations in this lived experience across different demographics or contexts, or by longitudinal studies tracing the evolution of these perceptions over time. This study makes a significant contribution to clinical psychology and phenomenology, urging a re-evaluation of how obesity is understood and addressed within therapeutic settings.

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