Product Description

Self-Help/Women's Health

Acclaim for Peggy Claude-Pierre's
The Secret Language of Eating Disorders

"Peggy Claude-Pierre has gone beyond the surface of eating disorders to discover their true causes and then present a valid and healing path. In this extremely constructive book, she offers incredible insights into the mind of the sufferer and the myths of eating disorders." --Keith J. Karren, Ph.D.,
Department Chair, Health Sciences,
Brigham Young University

"Peggy Claude-Pierre is a warrior--ferocious and relentless--whose work has rescued a decade of sufferers." --Edward Feller, M.D., F.A.C.P.,
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine,
Brown University School of Medicine

"Peggy Claude-Pierre has created a paradigm shift in the way we view and treat anorexia. Peggy has shifted the focus of care from that of controlling the symptoms of disordered eating to healing the negativity that would otherwise plague the individual for the rest of his or her life. I have developed the utmost respect for her, for I realize that she has translated the secret language of anorexia. Now it is up to us to use the knowledge she has revealed."
--Daniel J. Smith, M.D.

"Peggy Claude-Pierre's work begins where attachment to the limiting obstacles of theory end. She has brought back from the dead many young lives the world deemed hopeless. . . . There are many who possess the title of 'doctor' who have never come close to her incredible example of the selfless healer."
--Craig T. Pratt, M.D.,
Chief, Division of Addiction Medicine,
Grant-Riverside Methodist Hospital

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #287415 in Books
• Published on: 1998-12-29
• Released on: 1998-12-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780375750182
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
What makes Claude-Pierre's treatment of anorexia and bulimia revolutionary? Perhaps it's that the astonishingly high success rate of even the most chronic cases at Claude-Pierre's Montreux Clinic (only sufferers near death who have not been helped by doctors and hospitals are admitted) defies the common misconception that eating disorders are incurable. Claude-Pierre has made a personal commitment to dispel this damaging myth. Having cured her own two daughters of anorexia, you might say hers was a vested interest. The Secret Language of Eating Disorders reveals the details of Claude-Pierre's unique program.

Myths and misconceptions have shaped conventional treatment of anorexia and bulimia, leading to a cycle of hopelessness for those who suffer. Claude-Pierre's work reveals that victims share a common feeling of self-contempt. Further, she asserts that these overwhelming feelings of worthlessness are established at birth and slowly erode the healthy self. The revolutionary aspect of Claude-Pierre's program stems from her conviction that this negative mindset can be completely reversed.

The book describes the five stages of recovery, discusses the challenges peculiar to working with them at home, and presents a plan for working with health professionals. Also offered are stories of former Montreux patients, adding insight and depth to understanding these disorders. The book and the program have already saved many lives and will continue to do so.

Review
Claude-Pierre's book is heavy on psuedoscientific terms ... but light on more meaningful numbers. Who pays for treatment at Montreux, which may go on for months? She doesn't say. What happens when patients leave the cocoon of support and return to reality, that minefield of disappointment and failure?... The Secret Language of Eating Disorders gives a vulnerable population a seductive but dangerous message: you didn't cause the problem, but if you're sufficiently strong and loving, you can fix it. -- The New York Times Book Review, Caroline Knapp

From the Inside Flap
2 cassettes / 3 hours
Read by the Author

In The Secret Language of Eating Disorders, Peggy Claude-Pierre, founder of the world-renowned eating disorders program at the Montreux Clinic in Victoria, Canada, reveals her groundbreaking theories on the ultimate cure for anorexia and bulimia--illnesses that current medicine treats with little success.

Peggy Claude-Pierre developed her unique insights into eating disorders through successfully treating her own two anorexic daughters and hundreds of acutely ill patients--patients whom doctors had given up on. She became convinced that eating disorders stem from a complex negative mindset that frequently results in a slow process of self-destruction. It is Peggy Claude-Pierre's conviction that this mindset--and the resulting eating disorder--can be permanently reversed through a program based on unconditional love, regard, and positive reinforcement.

Peggy Claude-Pierre also offers the words of former patients whose stories of recovery serve as  inspiration to victims, and their loved ones. Her message of hope is that eating disorders can be cured, not merely managed, and that deep within every person suffering from these illnesses is a loving, deserving soul who can and should be saved. As Peggy Claude-Pierre tells victims, "You are not failures at life, merely at understanding your own value."  This powerful, compassionate AudioBook will revolutionize the way we think about eating disorders and their victims. It will literally save lives.

The medical or treatment suggestions provided in this program are offered for informational purposes only.  Listeners should first seek the advice and guidance of their own physician or health care provider before adopting any of these suggestions.

Customer Reviews

Lacking some important aspects, but overall good book
First and foremost, I want to say that Peggy proves with her book, "The Secret Language of Eating Disorders...," that she has a deep and unprecedented understanding of the makings of anorexia---for someone who has only witnessed the disease. I only wish that my parent would show the same kind of empathy and determination towards my current plight. Of course, Peggy did have the qualifications and obviously the time to delve into our horrible world enough to contrive and write such accurate interpretations/solutions to the disease...I don't think my parent could do such things even if the drive was there.

When I first starting reading the book, I was pretty amazed at her observations of the anorexia mindset and her theories of how it is a "symptom" of a much more powerful disorder called CNC, rather than a primal cause of itself and/or many other self-deprecating disorders. They had me enthralled, to say the least. But...as I read on I couldn't help but notice that despite being in the title, bulimia somehow seemed barely addressed (except by a few textbook or case study descriptions). Having suffered both (as MANY people often do), I couldn't help but feel a void where bulimia was concerned. It still seems that no one can offer up an entire book of interesting AND valid solutions for the elusive one---bulimia. Personally, I think the perils of bulimia are just as (if not more) horrific than those of anorexia. But yet...Peggy doesn't seem to have an answer. I have to ask when reading this, what if conquering eating is no longer a triumph, but a new and devastating penance to bear? What happens when your body is no longer feeding on itself physically, but the disease is all the more voracious with your mind? Where is the cure for the addiction?

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that bulimia continues to be overshadowed by or maybe not seen as dire as anorexia. It is the more shameful of the two, yes, and it is often passed off as a phase during college that has no emotional attachment whatsoever. There are always exceptions to the rule, but when you are trapped in the hopelessness of something that seems impossible to beat, it is hurtful to hear people around you toss the word `bulimia' around to every girl who goes to the bathroom.

In her book, Peggy describes anorexia as a very slow attempted suicide, a descent toward nothingness---I agree. Anorexia is not a diet, it is not a shallow attempt to be "model thin", and it is definitely not just about food. Many anorexics, including myself, do not wish to see any number except 0 on our bodies and souls. Peggy does a good job in clearing up such perceived notions. But again, she doesn't realize that bulimia is not necessarily the same slow suicide. It is suicide of the mind far before anything else. Bulimia makes you want to finish the job...and quickly. The fear that it is all your life will ever be is torturous. See, this is what she leaves out.

Also, I found her to come off very pompous and a bit condescending at times, despite her claims to not be that way. It just seems that she envisions herself to be the Godsend, the Cure-all, the Miracle Worker...and I just don't buy it. It is forgivable, though, because I have read many books on the subject, and they all seem to be that way. I guess it's unavoidable in such a situation. Or, maybe I'm just still disappointed and bitter that I cannot find anyone who is adamant like she seems to be about the situation. I guess confidence like she has can be misconstrued with self-righteousness when you think the way I have to.

Peggy Claude-Pierre: The Human Angel
I have a B.A. in Psychology. I first read the book, then watched the 20/20 special featuring the Clinic and read the book again. Like many of you, I noticed that a) the author seemed arrogant in claiming to have "the" cure, b) she did not offer scientific data and c) she over-sold the revolutionary aspect of her treatment, instead of pointing out its obvious roots in cognitive-behavioral psychology. These were my thoughts the first time I read the book. But then...the video. I think watching this video was the first time I'd ever video footage of an anorectic near death. A thought occurred to me--
the viciousness of the Germans starving concentration camp victims. And, these girls are inflicting the same amount of damage to themselves. Claude-Pierre has an undeniable abbility to establish rapport and trust with these women. Although her theory needs refining and scientific support, I now believe it is essentially correct. Obviously, someone who treats patients who say they are "cured" (a very unusual statement by an anorectic) and successfully treats patients who are literally days or weeks away from dying is doing something right.

I will now address the criticisms of Claude-Pierre's theory and practice.

1) Why should we believe that someone with only a B.A. degree and little scientific expertise has found "the" cure? I would ask, do you believe that the millions of psychologists who have theorized and treated anorexics for more than a century have found the cure? These are the "experts," yet their success rate is really quite dismal. Is anorexia necessarily a hopeless disease or is it rendered hopeless by the poor quality of care available? Many psychologists have created interesting and useful theorys about the causes of anorexias, yet few have been able to translate their theories into good practice. Also, many of these people are flooding PEGGY with calls for help. Interesting.

2) An earlier review said that anyone receiving round the clock care would automatically show improvement? Technically, any hospitilized anorectic receives 24 hour "care" and most do not respond well. I would argue that perhaps Peggy's patients automatically have initial improvement because of 24 hour care in a caring, home-like environment. For a hospitilized anorectic, the facility is home. Having your home be a sterile hospital with unfeeling service providers would have a negative impact on patients.

3)Claude-Pierre absolves parents of responsibility. I do believe this is a fault in the theory. But I would argue that Pierre's restraint in blaming parents allows her patient's parents to participate more fully in treatment (hence, the high success rate). Also, I think the core truth is that while some parents of anorectics are abusive, neglectful, and creating "enmeshed" relationships, they don't intend to make their child starve themselves to death. It occurred to me a few years ago that reports of "enmeshed" parents may be exaggerated. After the disorder develops, parents naturally become more intrusive as they respond to this puzzling disorder. Remember the blame of the parents of autistic children--"the refridgerator moms"? In response to children incapable of affection, some moms stopped trying to initiate physical contact and thus were unfairly blamed for the problem.

4) Claude-Pierre's staff is not qualified. I agree that the staff should have outside training since they work with such a vulnerable population. But I believe that the in-Center training is legitimate, and in proper accordance with Claude-Pierre's methods. Former patients sometimes become counselors. I would bet $100,000,000 that a former anorectic knows more about treating anorexia than the average doctor. That anorectic knows something about recovery. A doctor who has not successfully treated the majority of his anorec. patients does not.

5) A few former patients, and some critics, call the clinic a cult. Some patients say they had no privacy. Since Claude-Pierre has a very high success rate, she is idealized by her patients. If you've never heard ANYONE articulate your pain, you would obviously look at the person who finally does as a Saint, of sorts. The privacy complaint is trivial. The mansion houses 9 patients who require 24 hour care. Obviously, one cost of treatment is the loss of privacy and some forms of independence. I attend a college with 500 students--the environment can seem clausterphobic, incestuous, lacking in privacy, but it is not a cult.

6) The patients relapse once they leave the clinic. I was very disturbed to read of three alleged deaths of Pierre's former patients. However, Pierre still has a high success rate. The fact that some patients relapse after being highly successful at the clinic should lead us to ponder--how can we shape our world to make it a place more conducive to healing? In the case of acute anorexia, I believe "sheltering" in such a clinic is absolutely necessary. In a real world setting, it would be impossible for therapists to combat the many triggers of the Negative Mind. In every situation, the anorectic perceives herself to be a burden to other people, an unworthy person. In a real world setting, an ordinary frustrating situation could instigate a devestating relapse.

Anyway, I'm done making my case. I do not mean to sound like a "know it all." I respect Claude-Pierre, the integrity of her work, and her committment to her patients. I would call Peggy an angel of sorts, because she has somehow tapped into a profound realization about this disorder. She has helped save people who do not consider themselves worth saving.

I would be more than happy to work at the Montreux Clinic in the future to help the Clinic gain some credibility, in terms of scientific corroboration.

Melissa Abrams

I opened my eyes and so did others
I'm 19 and have been suffering for 8 years. As I got older it grew worse. When I left school I was almost ready to die. Through some way I recieved a photocopy of this book. How I feel about this book, I dont know, but without it I think I could be dead. I never thought anyone could understand, or imagine what went on in my head. Fighting constantly with myself. This book has helped me realise when I am fighting with myself. Thankyou. I have this love for Peggy for sharing her beliefs on this subject, it did not just help me but my family and close friends.