Schaefer Jenni - Almost anorexic: is my (or my loved ones) relationship with food a problem?

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 millionsincluding 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 disorderswhich 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, coauthor of Intuitive Eating

Many of us struggle with food, eating, and/or body image. This books 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 whos 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, director, Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital

ALMOST

ANOREXIC

Jennifer J. Thomas, PhD, Harvard Medical School

Jenni Schaefer

Hazelden Publishing

Center City, Minnesota 55012

800-328-9000
hazelden.org/bookstore

2013 by Harvard University

All rights reserved. Published 2013.

No part of this publication, either print or electronic, may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the publisher. Failure to comply with these terms may expose you to legal action and damages for copyright infringement.

Permission statements appear in the back of this book.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Thomas, Jennifer J.

Almost anorexic: is my (or my loved ones) relationship with food a problem? / Jennifer J. Thomas, Jenni Schaefer.

pages cm. (The almost effect series)

Summary: 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, and learn when and how to get professional help when its needed Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-61649-444-5 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-61649-498-8 (ebook)

1. 1. Anorexia nervosaPopular works. 2. Eating disordersPopular works.

I. Schaefer, Jenni. II. Title.

RC552.A5T488 2013

616.85262dc233

2013000690

Editors notes :

The case examples in this book are composite examples based upon behaviors encountered in the authors own professional experience. None of the individuals described in this book are based on a specific patient, and all identifying details in the composite examples have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.

This publication is not intended as a substitute for the advice of health care professionals.

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Cover design by Theresa Jaeger Gedig

Interior design and typesetting by Kinne Design

The Almost Effect series presents books written by Harvard Medical School faculty and other experts who offer guidance on common behavioral and physical problems falling in the spectrum between normal health and a full-blown medical condition. These are the first publications to help general readers recognize and address these problems.

For Noah
J.T.

For my nephews
Andrew, Aiden, and Alex