Synopses & Reviews
Millions of men and women struggle with disordered eating. Some stand at the mirror wondering how they can face the day when they look so fat. Others binge, purge, or exercise compulsively. Many skip meals, go on diet after diet, or cut out entire food groups. Still, they are never thin enough.
While only 1 in 200 adults will struggle with full-blown anorexia nervosa, at least 1 in 20 (including 1 in 10 teen girls) will exhibit key symptoms of one or more of the officially recognized DSM eating disorders--anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Many suffer from the effects but never address the issue because they don't fully meet the diagnostic criteria. If this is the case for you, then you may be "almost anorexic." Drawing on case studies and the latest research, Almost Anorexic combines a psychologist's clinical experience with a patient's personal recovery story to help readers understand and overcome almost anorexia.
Almost Anorexic will give you the skills to:
- Understand the symptoms of almost anorexic;
- Determine if your (or your loved one's) relationship with food is a problem;
- Gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one;
- Discover scientifically proven strategies to change unhealthy eating patterns;
- Learn when and how to get professional help when it's needed.
Review
For patients, family members, and friends, this book validates the experience of an eating disorder that cannot be classified as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
-Kamryn T Eddy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Director, Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital
Almost Anorexic is a vibrant read with a fresh perspective on the perilous gray zone between healthy and anorexic.
Cynthia Bulik, PhD, FAED
Author of Midlife Eating Disorders: Your Journey to Recovery and Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders
Review
"Almost Anorexic succeeds in achieving balance among eating disorder assessment and treatment principles grounded in scientific research, clinical practice, and personal experience. The partnership between Thomas (researcher and clinician) and Schaefer (author with personal experience with eating disorder recovery) is commendable and will be invaluable to helping men and women who are struggling with
"almost anorexia."--The AED (Academy for Eating Disorders) Forum
"Thoughtfully educates the reader of the dangers of eating disorders that might not fit within the common public understanding."
--Lynn S. Grefe, president and CEO, National Eating Disorders Association
"Anorexia Nervosa, a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder, is relatively rare. Much more common are subclinical symptoms which are nonetheless very distressing and problematic. Almost Anorexic uniquely and compellingly describes this important phenomenon and provides down-to-earth guidance on how to overcome such problems."
--B. Timothy Walsh, professor of psychiatry, Columbia University, and chair of the DSM-5 Eating Disorders Work Group
"I wish Almost Anorexic had been written when my daughter was "almost anorexic." This book might have given us the information we needed to intervene before our daughter moved into full-blown anorexia, and it might have helped us save her life."
--Kitty Westin, advocacy director, The Emily Program Foundation
"A vibrant read with a fresh perspective on the perilous gray zone between healthy and anorexic."
--Cynthia Bulik, author of Midlife Eating Disorders and director of the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders
"Eating problems are often ignored by assessment tests, health care professionals, media coverage, insurance companies, and even the person who is suffering. This book will help millions--including men!"
--Leigh Cohn, editor-in-chief, Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention and coauthor of Current Findings on Males with Eating Disorders
"A comprehensive overview of research and information, combined with self-help exercises that will help people identify if indeed they have a problem with eating and what they might be able to do about it."
--Carolyn Costin, Monte Nido and Affiliates Treatment Centers, author of 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder and Your Dieting Daughter
"This is an incredible contribution to the literature on eating disorders--which I wish had come out ten years ago!"
--Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, National Eating Disorders Association ambassador
"Written in engaging prose and based on current scientific research, this valuable book provides an empathic look at body image and eating concerns that technically do not meet diagnostic criteria for full syndrome eating disorders yet cause suffering to those who are in their grip."
--Ruth H. Striegel, professor of psychology, Wesleyan University and editor-in-chief, International Journal of Eating Disorders
"Health practitioners and clients alike will appreciate the useful tools, charts, and case studies...Ultimately, this is a guide that will help you (or a loved one) get your life back."
--Evelyn Tribole, co-author of Intuitive Eating
"Many of us struggle with food, eating, and/or body image. This book's appealing mix of personal reflections and sound, up-to-date information will make it an important resource for anyone troubled by his or her relationship with food, or who's concerned about a friend or family member."
--Harriet Brown, author of Brave Girl Eating
"Dr. Jennifer Thomas and Jenni Schaefer are a dynamic duo who brilliantly illuminate the slippery emotional slope to anorexia."
--Susan Albers, author of Eating Mindfully
"For patients, family members, and friends, this book validates the experience of an eating disorder that cannot be classified as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder."
--Kamryn T. Eddy, co-director, Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital
"Almost Anorexic puts a welcome end to the inaccurate belief that recovery is only possible for some sufferers of eating disorders, and shows that it is actually an action-oriented process that any one of us can choose. Grounded in practical changes readers can make in their lives, this book is evidence that there is hope."
--Marya Hornbacher, award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia; Madness; Sane and Waiting
"Almost Anorexic" is a must read for anyone concerned with their own or a loved one's relationship with food and body. I am not a professional, I am a survivor and I promise you will relate to the words on every page and gain so much insight from this incredible book."
--David H., Book Bargains, 5 Star Review
Synopsis
Determine if your eating behaviors are a problem, develop strategies to change unhealthy patterns, and learn when and how to get professional help when needed with this practical, engaging guide to taking care of yourself when you are not a full-blown anorexic.
Every day millions of us struggle with eating. We stand at the mirror wondering how we can face the day when we look so fat. We over-exercise. We skip meals, go on fad diets, and scan labels for fat free.” Still, we are never thin enough. Sitting down to a meal feels like facing a battle.
Many of us suffer from the symptoms and effects of anorexia, but never address the issue because we dont fully meet the diagnostic criteria. One major study estimates that while 1 in 200 adults have experienced the full anorexia syndrome, as many as 1 in 20 have exhibited at least some of the key symptoms..If this is the case for you, then you may be "almost anorexic". With this groundbreaking book, you can get help for yourself or a loved one. Drawing on case studies and the latest research, eating disorder experts Jennifer Thomas and Jenni Schaefer give you the skills to:
Understand the symptoms of almost anorexia and its place on the spectrum from normal eating behaviors to a full-blown eating disorder
Determine if you (or your loved ones) relationship with food is a problem
Gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one
Discover proven strategies to change unhealthy eating patterns
Learn when and how to get professional help when its needed
Synopsis
Millions of men and women struggle with disordered eating. Some stand at the mirror wondering how they can face the day when they look so fat. Others binge, purge, or exercise compulsively. Many skip meals, go on diet after diet, or cut out entire food groups. Still, they are never thin enough.
While 1 in 200 adults have experienced full-blown anorexia, at least 1 in 20 (1 in 10 teen girls!) have exhibited some key symptoms. Many suffer from the effects but never address the issue because they dont fully meet the diagnostic criteria. If this is the case for you, then you may be almost anorexic.” Drawing on case studies and the latest research, Almost Anorexic combines a psychologists clinical experience with a patients personal recovery story to help readers understand and overcome almost anorexia.
Determine if your (or your loved ones) relationship with food is a problem.
Gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one.
Discover scientifically proven strategies to change unhealthy eating patterns.
Learn when and how to get professional help when its needed.
About the Author
Jennifer J. Thomas, PhD., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Co-Director, Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Her groundbreaking scientific research, which focuses on the development of an eating disorder typology that better reflects clinical reality, has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Klarman Family Foundation, and the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation. She has published forty scientific articles and chapters, serves on the editorial boards of
International Journal of Eating Disorders and Journal of Abnormal Psychology, and is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders and Eating Disorders Research Society. She lives in downtown Boston, where she also maintains a private psychotherapy practice, helping people with almost anorexia and other officially recognized eating disorders.
Jenni Schaefers breakthrough bestseller, Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too, established her as one of the leading lights in the recovery movement. With her second book, Goodbye Ed, Hello Me: Recover from Your Eating Disorder and Fall in Love with Life, she earned her place as one of the countrys foremost motivational writers and speakers. Jenni's straightforward, realistic style has made her a role model, source of inspiration, and confidant to people worldwide looking to overcome adversity and live more fully. She speaks at conferences, at major universities, and in corporate settings; has appeared on many syndicated TV and radio shows; and has been quoted in publications including The New York Times. She is also chair of the Ambassadors Council of the National Eating Disorders Association. An accomplished singer/songwriter, she lives in Austin, Texas.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Series Forward: The Almost Effect (by Julie Silver, MD)
Acknowledgments
Introduction: A Touch of Anorexia
Part 1: Getting to Know the Ed in Your Head
Chapter 1: What is Almost Anorexia?
Chapter 2: Underweight, Overweight, and Everything in Between
Chapter 3: Calories, Cleansing, and Colonics?! Your Relationship with Food
Chapter 4: Optical Illusions: Your Relationship with Your Body
Part 2: Kicking Ed to the Curb
Chapter 5: Resisting the Allure of Almost Anorexia
Chapter 6: Do the Next Right Thing: Normal Eating
Chapter 7: Get Moving (Or Not): Whats Best for Me?
Chapter 8: Accepting and Loving Your Body (Yes, We Said Loving)
Chapter 9: Its Not Just You and Ed: Creating a Circle of Support
Chapter 10: Dont Settle for Almost Recovered
Appendices
References
About the Authors