Building a supportive and open relationship with young people suffering from eating disorders is key to assisting the recovery process. This book is packed with metaphorical explanations that will allow parents and caregivers to ally themselves with treatment rather than the eating disorder, and take positive steps with their child towards a full and lasting recovery. Written by experienced eating disorder specialists, the book will help caregivers to reach out to young people having difficulty cooperating with treatment. Its effective use of analogies and metaphors helps to crystallize a practical understanding of eating disorders and the crucial aspects of the treatment process. Integrating medical, psychological, and narrative aspects, as well as the visual (with illustrations), it encourages the reader, and by extension the sufferer, to conceptualize each step towards health. This book will be an invaluable tool for families, friends, and those working with young people suffering from eating disorders. The fresh perspective will also appeal to mental health professionals and anyone else working in the field. Reviews: "A highly readable book that should be read by any parent whose child is suffering from an eating disorder. The book is full of helpful information: on eating disorders and their dangers, on the types of treatment available, and on the important role the family plays in supporting a young person to recovery. The descriptions of family therapy are very moving at times. The metaphors make even difficult concepts easy to understand, and I would recommend this book not only to parents, but to anyone wanting to work in the field of eating disorders." -Wendy Spettigue, MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine and Psychiatric Director, Regional Eating Disorder Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Canada "It is of real credit to both these very experienced authors that they can address the stark reality of dealing with an eating disorder so logically, creatively and with such spirit. […] Overall an excellent addition to the arena of eating disorder literature. Not only is this book a record of help but it is also a book that will provide parents with a record of learning that they can refer to now and in the future." - Pennie Fairbairn, Psychotherapist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Michael Rutter Centre for Children and Adolescents, Maudsley Hospital, London "Written with clarity, Drs Boachie and Jasper are masterful at choosing analogies that provide an 'aha' understanding of the concepts and struggles with treating eating disorders that they address in A Parent's Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders: Spotting the Stealth Bomber and Other Symbolic Approaches. This book is likely to both answer parents' questions not only about what to expect with regard to their child's illness and recovery process, but also to reassure them about their roles and capacity to support their child's recovery." -Merryl Bear, Director, National Eating Disorder Information Centre, Canada "[…] The illustrations and descriptive stories were of greatest benefit as these helped me better understand certain situations. I would recommend every parent going through the challenges of anorexia with their teen to read this book from start to finish as it will give them a parent's perspective and the confidence to help their teen get better." -Parent of a teenage girl who has recovered from anorexia, Toronto, Canada "As a concerned parent what can you do? Who can you talk with? How can you get your child help? A Parent's Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders: Spotting the Stealth Bomber and Other Symbolic Approaches is a[n] ... invaluable resource for parents that address[es] these and other questions in a clear and comprehensive way." - From the Foreword by Dr. Debra Katzman, President of the Academy for Eating Disorders, Professor of Pediatrics, Head of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and University of Toronto, Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at the Hospital for Sick Children, Canada About the Authors: Ahmed Boachie is Program Director of the Eating Disorder Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, and Staff Psychiatrist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. He is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Toronto, and Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences of McMaster University. He resides in Aurora, Ontario. Karin Jasper is Clinical Mental Health Specialist and Research Co-ordinator of the Eating Disorder Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre. She is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Toronto. She resides in Toronto, Ontario. |