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Eating disorders

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Eating disorders are serious problems with eating, which affect every part of a person's life, including thoughts, feelings, body and relationships. Eating disorders are very serious, and potentially fatal.

Below you will find a variety of resources to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with an eating disorder.

Books

100 questions and answers about anorexia nervosa

Shepphird, Sari Fine. -- Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010.

This guide will help you to understand the causes of anorexia, warning signs and diagnosis, and practical suggestions on how to help loved ones suffering from anorexia as well as the treatment options available.

100 questions and answers about eating disorders

Costin, Carolyn -- Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2007.

This book provides both the doctor's and patient's views. It gives you authoritative and practical answers to your questions.

Anorexia and bulimia in the family: one parent's practical guide to recovery

Smith, Grainne -- West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 2004.

As a mother of an anorexic daughter, the author offers many tips on how to deal with eating, kitchen and bathroom issues, mood changes and how to survive as a family. 

Anorexia and other eating disorders: how to help your child eat well and be well: practical solutions, compassionate communication tools and emotional support for parents of children and teenagers

Musby, Eva. -- London, England: Aprica, 2014.

In this book, the author draws on her family's successful use of evidence-based treatment to empower you to support your child through recovery. Using compassionate presence, Nonviolent Communication, mindfulness and acceptance, this book gives you the tools you need to care for your child, your family and yourself.

The bulimia workbook for teens: activities to help you stop bingeing and purging

Schab, Lisa M. -- Oakland, CA: Instant Help Books, 2010.

Presents advice and strategies for teenagers dealing with bulimia, discussing the sources of the disorder, exercises to counteract negative thoughts, and activities to maintain a healthy body and foster a positive self-image.

The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for bulimia: using DBT break the cycle and regain control of your life

Astrachan-Fletcher, Ellen; Maslar, Michael. -- Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 2009.

Two psychologists specializing in eating disorders and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) show readers how to regulate negative emotions and behaviors and overcome bulimia.

Eating disorders: a parent's guide

Bryant-Waugh, Rachel -- New York: Brunner-Routledge Taylor & Francis group, 2004.

Whatever aspect of your child's eating behaviour is causing you concern, this book will help you understand some of the more common reasons why problems arise, and will give you advice on what you and others can do to manage the situation. Written by experienced clinicians, this book is dedicated to clarifying the subject of eating disorders. 

Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating and others

Kirkpatrick, Jim -- Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2004.

The authors offer expert advice on the causes, effects and treatments of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and a host of other less familiar disorders. This is a sensitive and engaging A-Z guide for anyone who has, or knows someone with an eating disorder.

Help for eating disorders: a parent's guide to symptoms, causes & treatments

Katzman, Debra K. -- Toronto, ON: Robert Rose Inc. 2005.

This book discusses how to identify the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, effective treatments, and how family, friends and community members can help.

Help your teenager beat an eating disorder [2nd ed.]

Lock, James -- New York: Guilford, 2015.

This book provides the tools you need to build a united family front that attacks the illness to ensure that your child develops nourishing eating habits and life-sustaining attitudes, day by day, meal by meal. 

Hunger for understanding: a workbook for helping young people to understand and overcome anorexia nervosa

Eivors, Alison -- Southern Gate, England: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2005.

This workbook-style book has many practical tasks designed to help the young person reflect on their own experience and to engage in the recovery process.

I'm, like, SO fat: helping your teen make healthy choices about eating and exercise in a weight obsessed world

Neumark-Sztainer, Diane -- New York: The Guilford Press, 2005.

Contains ideas to help kids feel better about their looks and make healthier choices about eating and exercise.

My kid is back: empowering parents to beat anorexia nervosa

Alexander, June; Le Grange, Daniel. -- London; New York: Routledge, 2010.

In this book, ten families share their experiences of living with anorexia. By focusing on the Maudsley family approach and expert advice, and including clear lists of illness symptoms, strategies for parents and carers to follow, and information on getting further treatment and support this book is a resource for families who want to win the battle with anorexia nervosa.

Off the C.U.F.F.: a parent skills book for the management of disordered eating

Zucker, Nancy -- Durham, NC: Duke University Medical Center, 2006.

This skills manual is designed to give parents tools to manage their children's illness when their child is struggling with an eating disorder. It provides information on managing the disorder, coping with the disorder, and methods to practice these coping strategies together.

A parent's guide to defeating eating disorders: spotting the stealth bomber and other symbolic approaches

Boachie, Ahmed; Jasper, Karin. -- Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011.

This book will help caregivers to reach out to young people having difficulty cooperating with treatment. It uses analogies and metaphors effectively to help explain eating disorders and the treatment process. Integrating medical, psychological, and narrative aspects, it encourages the reader to conceptualize each step towards health.

The parent's guide to eating disorders: supporting self-esteem, healthy eating, & positive body image at home

Herrin, Marcia -- Carlsbad, CA: Gürze Books, 2007.

The authors focus on teaching parents how to examine and understand their family's approach to food and body image issues and its effect their child's behaviour. Parents learn to identify an eating disorder early, to establish healthy attitudes toward food at a young age, and to intervene in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way.

Skills-based learning for caring for a loved one with an eating disorder: the new Maudsley method [2nd ed]

Treasure, Janet. -- New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2017.

Through a coordinated approach, this book offers information alongside detailed techniques and strategies, which aim to improve professionals' and home carers' ability to build continuity and consistency of support for their loved ones. The authors use evidence-based research and personal experience, as well as practical support skills, to advise the reader on a number of difficult areas in caring for someone with an eating disorder.

Surviving an eating disorder: strategies for families and friends

Siegel, Michele; Brisman, Judith; Weinshel, Margot. -- New York: Collins Living, 2009.

This updated and revised edition provides the latest information on how parents, spouses, friends, and professionals can thoughtfully determine the right course of action in their individual situations. With its combination of information, insight, case examples, and practical strategies, this book opens the way to new growth and helpful solutions in your relationship with your loved one.

Talking to eating disorders: simple ways to support someone with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or body image issues

Heaton, Jeanne Albronda -- New York: New American Library, 2005.

This compassionate guide offers ways to tackle the tough topics of body image, media messages, physical touch, diets, and exercise-along with a special section on talking about these issues with children. It includes information about when to get professional help, how to handle emergencies, and answers to difficult questions such as "Am I too fat?" or "Is this ok to eat?”

When your teen has an eating disorder: practical strategies to help your teen recover from anorexia, bulimia & binge eating

Muhlheim, Lauren. -- Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2018.

Having a teen with an eating disorder can leave parents feeling helpless. To help empower these parents, a clinical psychologist and expert in eating disorders offers an evidence-based program using family-based treatment (FBT) to help parents and caregivers take charge of their teen's nutritional rehabilitation.

Websites

  • Association québécoise d'aide aux personnes souffrant d'anorexie nerveuse et de boulimie / Anorexie and Boulimie Québec
  • Understanding Eating Disorders in Adolescence

  • Maudley Parents
  • National Eating Disorders Association
  • Hopewell Eating Disorders Support Centre of Ottawa
  • National Eating Disorders Information Centre
  • Eating Disorders – Kids Help Phone
  • Eating Disorders – Canadian Mental Health Association
  • F.E.A.S.T
  • Around the Dinner Table Forum
  • Canped - Understanding Eating Disorders in adolescents

Pamphlets

Eating disorders: information for youth

You are free to copy and redistribute these materials in any medium or format. This work may not be used for commercial purposes. View the full Creative Commons license. 

YouTube

Eating Disorders Meal Support – Kelty Mental Health – BC Children’s Hospital

Apps

RR: Eating Disorder Management

  • From Recovery Record
  • Free
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes

Local contacts

  • Hopewell Eating Disorders Support Centre of Ottawa
    404 McArthur Ave.
    Ottawa, ON K1K 1G8
    613-241-3428
    info@hopewell.ca
  • ANEB - Anorexie et boulimie Québec
    5500 Transcanadienne
    Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 1B6
    Téléphone: 514-630-0907
    Sans frais: 800 630-0907
    ados@anebquebec.com
  • National Eating Disorder Information Centre
    Helpline: Monday - Thursday: 9 am EST to 9 pm EST
    Friday: 9 am EST to 5 pm EST
    Chat
    For help and understanding, call:1-866-633-4220
    nedic@uhn.ca
  • Parents' Lifelines of Eastern Ontario / Parents : lignes de secours de l'est de l'Ontario
    Ottawa : 613-321-3211
    Outside Ottawa / À l'extérieur d'Ottawa 1-855-775-7005
    Helpline is staffed Monday-Friday 9am-7pm
    Notre linge d'aide téléphonique est disponible de lundi au vendredi : de 9h à 19h
    info@pleo.on.ca

Disclaimer

These resources are for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.

Understanding Eating Disorders in Adolescence

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