Most of the books listed can be ordered through your local bookshop or through www.amazon.co.uk

Gurze Books specialise in Eating Disorders publications. For their catalogue and more information about their publications, contact Gurze Books, P O Box 2238, Carlsbad, CA 92018, USA or visit their websites: www.bulimia.com or www.gurze.net

Disclaimer: This booklist is a guide compiled over the years from recommendations by various parties. However, Bodywhys does not have the resources necessary to proofread recommended books and therefore does not accept responsibility for the content of any book on this list. It should also be noted that a book one person finds useful, another person may not. It is important that you find the publication that most suits your personal needs. If you have a book you would like to recommend for the booklist, please contact Ruth Ní Eidhin, Communications Officer, at communications@bodywhys.ie

 
 

General Books 

 
Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers

Janet Treasure, Psychology Press, 1997. Excellent and reassuring account of anorexia - highly recommended.

Getting Better Bit(e) By Bit(e): A Survival Kit for Sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorders

Schmidt & Treasure, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1993. Really helpful and clear account of bulimia and binge eating and how to get better.

When Your Child Has An Eating Disorder: A Step by Step Workbook for Parents and Other Caregivers

Abigail H Natenshon, Jossey Bass, 1999. An informative, compassionate and highly practical book designed to increase understanding and give concrete direction.

 

Self Help Guides 

 
Anorexia Nervosa And The Wish To Change

Crisp, Joughin, Halek & Bowyer, Psychology Press, 1996. For those who wish to get better and how to go about it.

Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers

Janet Treasure, Psychology Press, 1997. Looks at the day to day problems and gives guidelines to help reduce the stress and anxiety that arises in families.

Bulimia Nervosa And Binge Eating - A Guide to Recovery

Cooper, Robinson Publishing, 1995. Definitions of bulimia and binge eating, causes and effects, also a self-help programme.

Getting Better Bit(e) By Bit(e): A Survival Kit for Sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Di

Schmidt & Treasure, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1993. Really helpful and clear account of bulimia and binge eating and how to get better.

On Eating

Susie Orbach, Penguin, 2002.

The Deadly Diet: Recovering from Anorexia and Bulimia

Sandbeck, New Harbinger, 1993. A practical programme to teach the necessary skills to overcome the problems associated with eating disorders

 

Books For Young People 

 
Real Life Issues: Eating Disorders

# Heather Warner, Trotman 2004. Self help guide offering information and advice to increase understanding of and help cope with an eating disorder. Aimed at teenagers.

Talking About Anorexia: How to Cope with Life Without Starving

Maroushka Monro, Sheldon Press. Practical and understanding, this book helps young people to acknowledge and understand that something is wrong and how to take action to get better.

 

Books For People In The Caring Profession 

 
Anorexia And Bulimia: How To Help

# Duker and Slade, OUP 1988. Describes the minute steps in providing the kind of help that enables people to leave their eating disorder behind them.

Counselling People In Eating Distress

Carole Waskett, BAC 1993. The author's experience and sensitivity will help to give confidence and expertise to counsellors who work with people with eating disorders.

 

Books For Teachers And Those Working With Young People 

 
It's Not About Food... It's About Feelings

Eating Disorders Association 2002, available by post from the Eating Disorders Association, First Floor, Wensum House, 103 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich NR1 1DW, England or by email at info@edauk.com. This well thought out educational resource pack includes a wealth of information, a video, notes and suggestions for activities, a series of photocopiable worksheets for use in the classroom. An invaluable asset to any educator/ facilitator.

 

Related Issues 

 
Families And How To Survive Them

Cleese & Skinner, Methuen, 1983. An illuminating and humorous book which explains how relationships work and how understanding can lead to progress in building healthy relationships.

Hunger Strike: An Anorexics Struggle as a Metaphor for Our Age

Orbach, Penguin, 1993. About the dilemma of being female in Western society and the links with eating disorders, also current attitudes towards eating problems.

 

Personal Stories 

 
My Body My Enemy: My Thirteen Year Battle with Anorexia Nervosa

Beeken and Greenstreet, Thorsons, 1997. Claire Beeken had anorexia from the age of 10 and describes how she was inspired to get better through her meeting with a friend who died from the same illness.

Wasted

Myra Hornbacher, Flamingo, 1998, hardback, also available in paperback. A riveting and very personal account of the author's struggle with and recovery from both anorexia and bulimia. I would do anything to keep people from going where I went.