Nicola Davies - Eating Disorder Recovery Handbook: A Practical Guide to Long-Term Recovery

ATING

DISORDER

RECOVERY

HANDBOOK

A Practical Guide
to Long-Term Recovery

Dr Nicola Davies
and Emma Bacon

Foreword by Julia Buckroyd

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia

Contents

Foreword

It has been my privilege as a therapist to be a witness to a part of the recovery journey of both of the authors of this valuable book. I know how much they have invested in reflection on the issues they present and how hard they have worked on themselves to change dysfunctional habits of thinking and acting. The title, which identifies long-term recovery as the goal for readers, draws on their own experience that however much you might like a quick fix, recovery from an eating disorder takes time, sometimes a long time. However, the recovery they describe is really a programme for growth and development. Both of them have grown into a future that must at one time seemed beyond their grasp, but this book is the evidence that recovery and the claiming of a creative and productive life can be your goal.

Together they have used their talents and experience, personal and professional, to craft a document that will challenge you to take responsibility for your recovery, while at the same time showing you empathy and understanding. Nicola Davies has a great deal of experience as a health writer, so you will find this handbook is clear and accessible. She is a health psychologist and a member of the British Psychological Society and has also trained as a counsellor. Her specialism is health psychology and the science of behaviour change. She brings an academic and a health psychology perspective and competence to this book. Emma Bacon has spent many years running organisations that support people with eating disorders. She is the Director of BalancED MK, a counselling and advice service for people with eating disorders in the Milton Keynes area. ReBalance is a self-support group that grew out of BalancED MK and offers support and information to sufferers and their families and friends. Much of the material in the handbook has been used by ReBalance, and improved by feedback and development from the group members. Her work has given Emma an excellent understanding of what those who have eating disorders need to know and to do to help their recovery.

I have confidence that the work of two such experienced and knowledgeable authors can be useful to you and support, encourage and guide you on your recovery journey.

Julia Buckroyd
Emeritus Professor of Counselling,
University of Hertfordshire

About the Authors

Meet Nicola

Nicola Davies is a Doctor of Health Psychology, person-centred counsellor and writer, who also has personal experience with eating disorders. Nicolas struggle with eating disorders started at 11 years old and continued into her early 30s. It was through her own work within health psychology and with the support of a counsellor and the unconditional and unwavering love of her partner that she was finally able to overcome her struggle.

Nicola combines her psychology and health expertise with her writing in order to raise awareness of both mental and physical health and well-being. Indeed, expressive writing was a core component of her own recovery, and Nicola met the co-author, Emma Bacon, as part of volunteer work with Emmas eating disorder support service, BalancED MK, where she assisted with writing information for support group members.

Nicolas health psychology expertise means she places great emphasis on behaviour change techniques for recovery. However, these techniques need to be facilitated by a strong support base. Nicola believes that self-destructive behaviours and thoughts can be overcome when the right conditions are provided namely, empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard. Such core conditions allowed Nicola to work safely with her inner child in the pursuit of recovery.

Along with her research and writing within the realms of psychology, Nicola also runs a forum for trainee counsellors due to her strong belief in the value of talking treatments for all mental health conditions, including eating disorders.

You can keep up to date with Nicolas work by following her on Twitter (@healthpsychuk) or by signing up to her free blog (https://healthpsychologyconsultancy.wordpress.com).

Meet Emma

Emma Bacon struggled with eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression in her 20s. She overcame her challenges with help from specialised one-to-one counselling, self-support groups and the love of her family and friends. Her recovery was also aided by the therapeutic benefits of owning her own horse and the unconditional love of her husband.

Following her recovery, Emma set up BalancED MK, an eating disorder support service offering help to people affected by anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other eating disorders (www.balancedmk.co.uk). She facilitates a recovery-focused self-support group that welcomes anyone affected by disordered eating, including parents, partners, friends and family. In addition, Emma strives to increase awareness and understanding about this often misunderstood mental health issue through school presentations and media opportunities.

Emma is the author of Rebalance Your Relationship with Food: Reassuring recipes and nutritional support for positive, confident eating , encouraging an appreciation for balanced nutrition and self-compassion. The book contains empathetic quotes from people affected by eating disorders, body image issues and low self-esteem, helping the reader to feel understood and supported as they explore the wide selection of recipes. Follow Emmas Instagram account (rebalancing_me) or visit her website (www.rebalancing-me.com) for further information.

Emmas goal to encourage and inspire a healthy lifestyle drove her to qualify as a personal trainer and martial arts instructor, enabling her to guide clients searching for the combination of emotional and physical well-being.

Emma and Nicolas personal and professional experiences have led to the development of this Eating Disorder Recovery Handbook , with many of the worksheets evolving from the BalancED MK self-support group. Therefore, this book is the combination of many peoples experiences, all with their own story, inspiring self-reflection and positive hope for the future.

Introduction

The Eating Disorder Recovery Handbook has been created to support anyone affected by any form of disordered eating, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or other specified feeding and eating disorders, through the provision of reflective activities that encourage you to explore recovery in a personal way. The handbook aims to help you recognise your disordered eating and understand yourself better so that you are equipped for any obstacles you may encounter on your road to long-term recovery.

The book includes a variety of sections, in a methodical order, covering fundamental issues relating to the development, management and recovery of an eating disorder. You are encouraged to consider and reflect upon your thoughts and feelings on these subjects, aiding a better understanding of your issues and the ways in which you can challenge them.