Enmeshment is a concept introduced by Minuchin to describe family members who are over-involved with one other. Consequently, no-one has a clear identity because the family does everything together. This means that children are not allowed to be independent and develop autonomy, so anorexia may be a way for the children to exert some control. It is also suggested that enmeshed families find it difficult to deal with conflict. This creates anxieties which parents may cope with by focusing on their ‘ill’ child.