10 Books to Get You Started
An Alex Articulates Article
It is second nature for many carers to explore the internet for resources in an attempt to develop a greater understanding of their loved one’s eating disorder, as well as finding resources to manage their own feelings and emotions throughout the journey. However, knowing which resources are reliable may prove to be a daunting task. I hope my research takes out the hard work for you in finding the following important list of helpful personal support and eating disorder books.
Each book was evaluated on how digestible the content is, online reader reviews, as well as acknowledgement of both the professional and personal perspectives around mental health support and eating disorder diagnosis and treatment. Each book is available for purchase via the attached links.
Carer Self-Care
The writer, Dr Shapiro, is a scientist examining the effects of mindfulness on the brain. The book encompasses a three-month journey whereby readers are exposed to:
- Morning and evening exercises which promote a sense of self-compassion and gratitude. For example, the book title is a morning practice that Dr Shapiro states changes brain circuitry; promoting feelings of calmness, clarity, and joy in the long-term.
- Scientific explanations around how to achieve peak health and quality of life.
- Integrating the three pillars of mindfulness – Inattention, Attention, Attitude – within their everyday lives.
What makes this book special is that it challenges each reader to discover the transformative effects of self-compassion – something that at times may appear impossible given carers often focus most, if not all, of their love and energy on their loved one with an eating disorder.
Examining eating disorder recovery from therapeutic and personal experience (Theory)
This book exposes readers to eight principles that are necessary for eating disorder recovery through both a personal and professional lens. Authors, Costin and Grabb, reflect on their eating disorder history from their current perspectives as therapists who work with eating disorder clients. They provide each reader with a personal insight on their journey to recovery.
This book is raw in the sense that Costin and Grabb describe their perception of therapy from one of two perspectives. The first, reminiscing on the emotions that overcame them during their eating disorder. The second, their present clinical evaluation as therapists – even providing motivation if one is resistant to seek change for themselves. One reviewer stated the most profound aspect of this book was helping each reader distinguish the “eating disorder self” and the “healthy self.”
Examining eating disorder recovery from therapeutic and personal experience (Workbook)
Given the success of the theoretical principles necessary for eating disorder recovery from their book above, Costin and Grabb, created a companion workbook – with clinical expertise and client testimony acting as the backbone. Authors recommend providing this resource to your loved one in the treatment stage of their eating disorder. The workbook provides readers with a glimpse of attending a self-paced therapy session with Costin or Grabb targeting self-compassion towards the relationship one has with food and their body. Exercises include, but are not limited to, goal sheets, food journal forms, clinical anecdotes – challenging each reader to explore their thoughts, feelings, and coping strategies according to their current comfort levels.
Anorexia Nervosa from the male perspective: Case study turned practical guide regarding treatment and coping mechanisms
Boys Get Anorexia Too: Coping with Male Eating Disorders in the Family, (Jenny Langley, 2006)
Readers are exposed to one boy’s journey through eating disorder treatment from the perspective of his mother. Having found out that her son developed Anorexia Nervosa at age twelve she adopted an investigative lens as she found only a limited amount of online resources targeting male eating disorders. She especially touches on the relationship between male eating disorders and physical perfection pertaining to diet, supplements, and exercise. This book combines emotional reflection and practical tips to manage everyday situations. The author, Jenny, hopes the story of her son can support carers close to a boy who is developing or has developed an eating disorder. It was a treacherous journey for this mother and son, however, his trek to full health provides a strong sense of hopefulness for any reader on a similar journey.
A recovery guide for Anorexia Nervosa: For both the person with the eating disorder and their loved ones
Authors Janet Treasure and June Alexander provide essential new and updated research outcomes on Anorexia Nervosa. Namely, evidence-based insight and guidance surrounding the recovery process of individuals experiencing Anorexia Nervosa. All in all, this book offers a unique insight given that it was written collectively by both a field expert in eating disorders.
(J. Treasure) and an individual with lived experience of Anorexia Nervosa (J. Alexander). It is cleverly organised into four sections, which although dedicated to different reader groups, holistically offer important advice and information regarding constructive help to the individual in treatment for their eating disorder. The chapters include:
- An outline of Anorexia Nervosa
- Coping strategies for individuals experiencing Anorexia Nervosa
- Advice and information for families, carers and friends.
A Practical Tool for Loved Ones to Reflect on Their Thoughts and Feelings
This book consists of varied worksheets created for the person with the eating disorder. It contains an assortment of exercises that target the factors primarily maintaining their challenging relationship with food – including cultural misconceptions, perfectionistic tendencies, feelings of stress, and poor self-confidence. At the core, it provides each reader with the ability to conduct self-paced inner reflections on the maladaptive versus healthy perceptions they hold of their body. Addressing the motivating factors behind eating disorder behaviour, this book is also an invaluable resource to families and carers. That is, it enables them to learn more about both the beliefs and experiences which play significant roles in the development and maintenance of eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.
Inviting Carers to Embrace the Good and the Bad as Equally Beautiful
The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting (Brene Brown, 2013)
This book challenges our biggest critic – ourselves. It takes each family or carer on a journey towards openly accepting and understanding that being imperfect does not mean being inadequate. Each reader is provided with a roadmap towards confidently nurturing wholehearted relationships whereby their willingness to learn and grow is what defines success. An important aspect of the book with relevance to the eating disorder community is the message that many attribute so much of their energy towards upholding ideal perceptions of their family unit to the rest of the world. Nonetheless, the journey towards eating disorder recovery in itself is imperfect. All in all, it is a resource encouraging readers to embrace the ups and downs of their experience whilst acknowledging how worthy they are as families and carers and is something quite special.
Exploring Novel Evidence-Based Support for Eating Disorders
This book encourages family and friends to examine eating disorders from a novel – psychological – point of view. The authors skillfully explain up-to-date treatments, as well as provide tools which may be used by carers and families to assess which type of support would best address the needs of their loved one across their recovery journey. This book contains many elements that touch on relatability – the most powerful being the acknowledgement and embracing the hardship that comes with caring for someone with an eating disorder. In light of this, the authors dedicate many pages to addressing evidence-based advice and support which aims to tackle factors hindering eating disorder recovery. As a special element readers are empowered to reflect on how they care for themselves and their external relationships too.
Learning to Emotionally Empower and Practically Support Individuals with Autism and Eating Disorders
Autism and Eating Disorders in Teens: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Many clinicians, including the authors of this book, believe the connection between autism and eating disorders commonly goes unnoticed. And if noticed – misunderstood. A variety of important topics are covered which revolve around identifying, diagnosing, and stages of recovery underlying autism and eating disorders. The clinicians highlight how comparable the two can be, for example, both involved in maintaining thought patterns including obsessive thinking or behavioural patterns such as inflexible eating. Drawing on detailed case studies for greater clarity – this resource is an invaluable practical guide for adults empowering teenagers with these conditions.
Exploring Practical and Effective Techniques Which Aim to Help Readers Cope with Feelings of Anxiety
Anxiety Hacks: Proven Techniques, Tools and Tips to Calmness
The author holds great professional and personal experience with anxiety. Specifically, Kate has practised as an anxiety therapist for 22 years and has experienced severe anxiety from age 5. This book aims to provide readers with practical ways to cope with feelings of anxiety – some designed to calm individuals in the short time span of 90 seconds. Readers are offered effective techniques, such as the globally supported “C.A.L.M Your Alarm”. Those interested in acquiring further tools may download the complementary worksheets or view visuals of the author practising each technique she recommends. This is a brilliant book for carers and their loved ones alike – outlining ways to ease feelings of anxiety, especially on the days that seem impossible to get through.
