Product Description

What to say-and what not to say-when a friend or family member has an eating disorder.

When a friend or family member shows signs of an eating disorder, the first impulse is to charge in, give advice, and fix what is wrong. But these tactics-however well-intentioned-can backfire.

This compassionate guide offers ways to tackle the tough topics of body image, media messages, physical touch, diets, and exercise-along with a special section on talking about these issues with children. It includes information about when to get professional help, how to handle emergencies, and answers to difficult questions such as "Am I too fat?" or "Is this ok to eat?"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112234 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Jeanne A. Heaton, Ph.D., has 30 years of experience providing therapy and working with a multidisciplinary team for eating disorders. She is the director of Ohio University's Counseling and Psychological Services and has a private practice.

Claudia J. Strauss is an award-winning communication consultant and educator. She is the author of Talking to Alzheimer's, Talking to Depression, and Talking to Anxiety.

Customer Reviews

Really focuses on what the title suggests!
I found this book as a second try and I'm glad I did! When I had the need for a book on this subject I checked one out of the public library in my hometown. It was so bad I returned it after reading about half. I found this one on Amazon and ordered it without reviews but I'm happy I took a chance.

The focus of the book is on talking, communication and understanding. How to be the best support for a person you love. It empathetically explains what you can expect to help out with and kindly lets you know when to hold back or have patience and realize that you cannot control what someone else eats.

That said there is a lot that you can do to be supportive and encouraging. I have read each section and found myself better understanding what the person suffering from the eating disorder is actually thinking. How they are processing what we are saying, for good or bad. I realized that this is one disorder where it is so easy to try your best to be supportive but fail because your words are inadvertently hurtful or misunderstood.

What I also loved about this book was the lack of filler. It does not spend pages quoting side effects, endless paragraphs of examples that take up space or chapters dedicated to rehash. They wrote a book that filled a need and not to make money on a "hot" topic. It also lets you in on the fact that with an eating disorders there is no easy cure. Many of the books I looked at seemed to hint that if you followed this or that program you'd have this problem crossed off your list, and fast.

The author explains the long term situation, the 3 steps forward 2 steps back path that this disorder usually takes. I appreciated knowing that it might be a long road and not to expect miracles. I learned how to listen, so I'd know when to bring up certain subjects to get the ball rolling again or for the fist time.

Very insightful and informative.
Thank you Ms. Heaton and Ms. Strauss