Critically examines diagnostic and popular discourses on eating disorders.

Do YOU WANT TO GET BETTER, but are afraid to let go of your eating disorder? After all, your eating disorder has defined who you are, has been a constant in your life, and has helped you cope and navigate your own world. To leave it behind would mean you wouldn't know who you are, how to act, or where to begin. Right? Wrong. According to renowned eating disorder specialist and bestselling author Ira M. Sacker, M.D., thoughts like these are due to something he calls the Eating Disorder Identity, which is a major road block in preventing you from getting better. In Regaining Your Self, Dr. Sacker introduces and defines this concept for you, explaining that in order to move away from the Eating Disorder Identity, you must transition to a new identity— the true self you were meant to be. The journey of finding out who you really are without your eating disorder begins here. Regaining Your Self offers you hope as well as hope to individuals, loved ones, and treatment professionals who are working toward freedom from the power of the eating disorders.

Here, collected for the first time, 19 writers describe their eating disorders from the distance of recovery, exposing as never before the anorexic's self-enclosed world. “This anthology lends remarkable texture to a subject that has been too often sensationalized and oversimplified.” —The New York Times Taking up issues including depression, genetics, sexuality, sports, religion, fashion and family, these essays examine the role anorexia plays in a young person's search for direction. Powerful and immensely informative, this collection makes accessible the mindset of a disease that has long been misunderstood. With essays by Priscilla Becker, Francesca Lia Block, Maya Browne, Jennifer Egan, Clara Elliot, Amanda Fortini, Louise Glück, Latria Graham, Francine du Plessix Gray, Trisha Gura, Sarah Haight, Lisa Halliday, Elizabeth Kadetsky, Maura Kelly, Ilana Kurshan, Joyce Maynard, John Nolan, Rudy Ruiz, and Kate Taylor.

"This book explores how to achieve multicultural, diversity, and gender competency in the treatment of eating disorders. The author's guiding principle is that every person's eating disorder is as unique as their fingerprint, and the goal of the social work therapist is to collaborate with clients to arrive at an individualized treatment approach that works for them. Treating the Eating Disorder Self contains the latest findings about best practices in the field of eating disorders, including extensive coverage of medications, trauma, and attachment theory. Written with modern challenges in mind, the author also explores the impact of the Internet and social media on the eating disorder client. Readers are guided through the causes of eating disorders, how to conduct an eating disorder assessment, how to formulate an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan for each client, and how to integrate psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Written in a personal and self-reflective tone, and using case studies extensively throughout, the author demonstrates the healing impact of the therapeutic relationship, moving through issues of transference, countertransference, and resistance, and ultimately finding hope"--

A first-time examination of sexual anorexia, an extreme fear of sexual intimacy and obsessive avoidance of sex, by the acknowledged leader in the treatment of compulsive sexual behavior and recovery. Author Dr. Patrick Carnes begins by defining sexual anorexia and demonstrating how it and its parallel disorder, sexual addiction and compulsivity, often arise from a background of childhood sexual trauma, neglect, and other forms of abuse. Carnes explores the numerous dimensions of sexual health, examining key issues which must be addressed and resolved for recovery to proceed. Utilizing extensive research and elucidating case studies, Carnes develops concrete tasks and plans for restoring nurturing and sensuality, building fulfilling relationships, exploring intimacy, and creating healthy sexuality. Woven throughout the book are stories of recovery which illustrate sexual healing principles, model new behavior, and support motivation for change. Sexual Anorexia enables those suffering from this disorder to recognize that sex need not be a furtive enemy to be fought and defeated but, instead, a deeply sensual, passionate, fulfilling, and spiritual experience that all human beings are innately entitled to.

There is life beyond your eating disorder—and you deserve to enjoy every minute of it. Johanna S. Kandel, founder and executive director of The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, struggled with her eating disorder for ten years before finally getting help. Now fully recovered, Kandel knows firsthand how difficult the healing process can be. Through her work with The Alliance—leading support groups, speaking nationwide and collaborating with professionals in the field—she's developed a set of practical tools to address the everyday challenges of recovery.

"The power of the book lies in [its] vast clinical experience.... Eminently readable and filled with clinical anecdote.... Invaluable."—The Lancet Here is a basic source of information on the dynamics of eating disorders, written by two therapists who pioneered in treating them. This accessible and empowering book now adds four new chapters: "Anorexia Nervosa: Sociocultural Perspectives," "Intensive Psychotherapy with Anorexics," "Surviving Managed Care" (addressed especially to therapists), and "Our Daughters, Ourselves." The book includes stories of bulimic and anorexic women in their own words—sympathetic peer-group voices to encourage women who have begun treatment or are considering it. The author also describes new school and college programs designed to help students who have eating disorders. Marlene Boskind-White draws on twenty-five years of clinical experience to set forth what actually works to combat and overcome bulimia and anorexia, focusing on ways to strengthen positive attitudes and develop practical coping skills. She evaluates new therapies and new medications such as Prozac and presents essential information on physiology and nutrition. "I give this book my unqualified endorsement."—Jean Rubel, Ph.D., Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders, Inc. "An outstanding contribution to the literature of eating disorders."—Albert D. Loro, Jr., Ph.D., former director, Eating Disorders Program, Duke University Medical School