Always harmful and potentially deadly, eating disorders can wreak havoc on families. This powerful and controversial book by top researchers argues that parents are not the culprits but the key to their teen's recovery.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Getting Started: First Steps Toward Helping Your Child with an Eating Disorder. Act Now. Get Together. Don't Waste Time on 'Why?' Part II: Understanding Eating Disorders. Know What You're Dealing With: The Complexity of Eating Disorders. Get into Your Child's Head: The Distorted Thinking Behind Your Teenager's Behavior. Understand Your Options: What the Research Says about the Best Ways to Treat Anorexia and Bulimia. Part III: Making Treatment Work: How to Solve Everyday Problems to Help Your Child Recover. Taking Charge of Change: How to Apply the Family Approach to Treating Eating Disorders. Playing a Supporting Role: How You Can be a Part of Your Child's Recovery Even When You're Not in Charge. Harnessing the Power of Unity: How to Stay on the Same Page in Your Fight Against Eating Disorders. Staying Empowered and Informed: How to Work with Professionals Who are Trying to Help Your Child. Resources. Further Reading. Index.

About the Author

James Lock, MD, PhD, is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Pediatrics and Director of the Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents at Stanford University. He lives in Palo Alto, California. Daniel le Grange, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago and Director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Together, they have been awarded a 5-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct a treatment study on anorexia nervosa. Dr. Lock is also the past recipient and Dr. le Grange a present recipient of NIMH Career Development Awards.

Reviews

'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think it would be a useful resource for any parent who is caring for a teenager with an eating disorder, as it is filled with loads of useful information... the book is very good at vividly illustrating how families can band together to help fight eating disorders, in a safe and supportive way so that they do not feel completely powerless. All round I feel that this book is a very useful resource for parents, and I highly recommend it.' - Jade McEwen, Signpost, March 2005