Synopses & Reviews
The author of groundbreaking early works on anorexia discusses the latest treatments and offers up-to-date advice on how families can help their loved ones.
Anatomy of Anorexia is a tremendous tool for families: Now more than ever, early diagnosis and treatment, and family participation, are crucial in preventing anorexia from becoming a chronic condition and can save the life of the anorexic. Writing for those who suffer from anorexia as well as their parents, friends, and therapists, Steven Levenkron traces the stages of the disorder from an innocent desire to "lose a few pounds" to the lethal stage of the disease where the life of the victim is at stake. He discusses the multiple origins of this disorder: childhood trauma, society's role in demoralizing girls and women by encouraging an obsession with body image, genetics, and familial origins. Families can participate in the detection and cure of the disorder by fostering a climate of understanding, support, and love. Included are actual segments of therapy sessions followed by discussions of what transpired between therapist and patient so that helpers can see firsthand the benefit of the therapeutic relationship in treating anorexia.
Anatomy of Anorexia demystifies a life-threatening disease and shows how the millions of girls and women who are afflicted with anorexia can be helped and can look forward to rich and productive lives.
Review
"In this clearly written and informative study, Levenkron reviews several treatment options, including individual, group and family psychotherapy, self-help groups and behavior modification, as well as medication and hospitalization when necessary, and emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to the complex and highly individualized needs of each anorexic." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Steven Levenkron has done it again. Once more he has taken a complex clinical entity and clearly explained what is known of its symptoms, etiologies, and treatment. His many years as a therapist, his obvious love for the work he does and his writing skills combine in a work that is fascinating, human, engaging and chock full of information that the reader painlessly assimilates. I heartily recommended it to patients, their families, their interested friends, and their therapists." Michael Kenin, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine
Review
"Steven Levenkron's exploration of identity and eating is invaluable to clinicians, parents, teenagers, and adults who are struggling with anorexia. Anatomy of Anorexia clarifies the basic nature of eating problems." Lynn E. Ponton, M.D.
Review
"The nation's premiere expert in treating anorexia has written the nation's premiere book for parents, relatives and friends of young women afflicted with this life-threatening disease. Steven Levenkron's Anatomy of Anorexia is a book full of hope and common sense for such young women and those who love them." Joseph A. Califano, President of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare
Synopsis
"Invaluable to clinicians, parents, teenagers, and adults who are struggling with anorexia." --Lynn E. Ponton, M.D.
Synopsis
is a tremendous tool for families: now more than ever, early diagnosis and treatment, and family participation, are crucial in helping the anorexic. Preeminent therapist Steven Levenkron demystifies this life-threatening disease and shows how the millions of girls and women who are afflicted with anorexia can be helped--and can look forward to rich and productive lives. "The nation's premier expert in treating anorexia has written the nation's premier book for parents, relatives, and friends of young women afflicted with this life-threatening disease."--Joseph A. Califano Jr., president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare "[Levenkron's] insights, descriptions of family relationships, and treatment recommendations for therapists create a rich, deep, and most helpful guide for a community of people whose lives are deeply and painfully affected by this persistent illness."--Samuel C. Klagsbrun, M.D.
About the Author
Steven Levenkron is a psychotherapist and the author of seven previous books, including Cutting and The Anatomy of Anorexia. He lives and practices in New York City.