First published in 1994. As the incidence of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and obesity sometimes caused by compulsive eating has risen, so has research and literature in the field. Presenting current knowledge of these eating disorders - the most common types found in adolescents and adults - this book addresses issues relevant to all.; Examining the pertinent history, aetiology, psychotherapy, and sociology, the contributors define these eating disorders and discuss issues of recovery and methods of treatment.; They also consider the problem as it exists in both male and females in this multicultural society. The resulting volume is divided into four parts: the first gives an overview in general, and the next three focus individually on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity respectively.

Simona Giordano presents the first full philosophical study of ethical issues in the treatment of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Beginning with a comprehensive analysis of these conditions and an exploration of their complex causes, she then proceeds to address legal and ethical dilemmas such as a patient's refusal of life-saving treatment. Illustrated with many case-studies, Understanding Eating Disorders is an essential tool for anyone working with sufferers of these much misunderstood conditions, and for all those ethicists, lawyers, and medical practitioners engaged with the widely relevant issues they raise.

This important book shows how psychotherapy can address severe eating disorders in children and young people, illustrating the ways an imprisoned self can be released from suffering. The book features a range of case studies while addressing core issues such as self-harm, hallucinations and the threat of suicide, as well as related topics such as depression and psychosis. Illustrating the psychological roots to eating disorders, it places therapy within hospital, clinical and multi-disciplinary contexts, as well as displaying how psychoanalytic theory can be applied across various settings and in different teams. Written by an eminent author in the field, this will be a key text for anyone wishing to understand eating disorders in children from a psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic dimension.

"[Author Dana] Harron’s emotional and practical advice for this growing global predicament comes highly recommended." —Library Journal In this compassionate guide, eating disorder expert Dana Harron offers hope to partners of people with eating disorders. You’ll discover ways to communicate with empathy and understanding, strategies for dealing with mealtime challenges, and tips to help you both find your way back to trust, love, and intimacy. If your loved one is one of millions of Americans who suffers from an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, you may feel alone, without guidance or understanding. As a romantic partner, you need to know how to navigate issues such as parenting, sex and intimacy, and running a household. This book provides that help by addressing your uniquely complex and difficult situation, and provides much-needed support for growth and healing. In Loving Someone With an Eating Disorder, you’ll find valuable information about eating disorders, diagnostic categories, and common misconceptions. You’ll also learn about the importance of self-care and boundaries for yourself, and find writing and perspective-taking exercises to help you gain a greater understanding of your partner’s struggle. You’ll also learn skills to help you address specific problems, such as managing groceries and meals together, sex and intimacy issues, and concerns about parenting. Finally, you’ll find a practical discussion about treatment and recovery from disordered eating—making it clear that both you and your partner need healing—as well as information about seeking further support.

Do you think that you or someone you love may suffer from and eating disorder? Eating Disorders For Dummies gives you the straight facts you need to make sense of what’s happening inside you and offers a simple step-by-step procedure for developing a safe and health plan for recovery. This practical, reassuring, and gentle guide explains anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder in plain English, as well as other disorders such as bigorexia and compulsive exercising. Informative checklists help you determine whether you are suffering form an eating disorder and, if so, what impact the disorder is having or may soon have on your health. You’ll also get plenty of help in finding the right therapist, evaluating the latest treatments, and learning how to support recovery on a day-by-day basis. Discover how to: Identify eating disorder warning signs Set yourself on a sound and successful path to recovery Recognize companion disorders and addictions Handle anxiety and emotional eating Survive setbacks Approach someone about getting treatment Treat eating disorders in men, children, and the elderly Help a sibling, friend, or partner with and eating disorder Benefit from recovery in ways you never imagined Complete with helpful lists of recovery dos and don’ts, Eating Disorders For Dummies is an immensely important resource for anyone who wants to recover — or help a loved one recover — from one of these disabling conditions and regain a healthy and energetic life.

Eating disorders (EDs) are considered a major disease in the modern world, being one of the most prevailing public health problems among female adolescents and young adults in recent decades, and reaching epidemic proportions in many Western countries. The last two decades have envisioned an abundance of research in many aspects related to EDs. Nevertheless, EDs are still highly misunderstood disorders that often raise a host of negative emotions such as bewilderment, mistrust and fear. This book reviews research on the diagnosis and classification of EDs, as well as the historical and socio-cultural aspects and the genetics, biology and psychological considerations involved.