Demystifiying Anorexia Nervosa: An Optimistic Guide to Understanding and Healing

by Alexander R. Lucas

Emotionally and physically devastating, anorexia nervosa is the third most common chronic illness in teenage girls, striking one in every two hundred (boys only make up 10% of all cases). And while there are a plethora of books on the subject, most are either personal accounts of recovery or attempts to explain the disease from only one perspective, be it psychoanalytic, behavioral, cultural, or biological.
Now, in this much-needed resource, Dr. Alexander Lucas draws on 40 years of experience, mostly at the Mayo Clinic, to offer clear guidance and authoritative advice on how to overcome anorexia nervosa. Based on his own unique research with thousands of patients, and striking a careful balance between psychological, cultural, and biological approaches, Dr. Lucas demystifies this seemingly irrational disease and guides parents through the harrowing process of recovery. The book defines anorexia, illustrates how it can evolve and how common it really is, and outlines every part of the treatment process, from the early warning signs that parents should watch out for, to the initial evaluation, to specific treatment plans. Dr. Lucas emphasizes the patient's role in defining the healing process, with the support of the family and medical team. Throughout the book, he counsels optimism, stressing that in spite of the destructive power of the disease, most who suffer from anorexia nervosa
fully recover and are able to live normal, healthy, and productive lives.
For anyone seeking level-headed, medically sound, and comprehensive guidance on the most effective treatments for this life-threatening disorder, Demystifying Anorexia Nervosa offers a wealth of reliable, reassuring information.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2004

Reviews

[Cera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been fascinated with anorexia since, as a very young girl, I read The Best Little Girl in the World. This was a really fascinating & (as promised) very optimistic look at the disease. I don't know how widely accepted Lucas' premises are -- for instance, he firmly believes that psychotherapy for anorexic patients is usually not indicated until they start approaching a healthy weight, as he argues that the physical changes caused by starvation make it very difficult for patients to think clearly and understand their own emotional states. This makes sense to me, but I'd need to do a lot more reading to know if it works in practise, and I suspect that reading will be saved until I'm in grad school. Still, I'm glad I read this; it was very helpful in updating my mid-80s thinking!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear, understandable and optimistic. Seems well-researched and documented and presented in easy to grasp language and with good example cases. I really like how although it's a factual book, you get the author's point of view and can tell that he's writing this book to show that you can understand the basic information about this illness and that people can get better with time. Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in reading on this subject.

[Zyonese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book! If you are researching on ED's this would be an excellent starting point of reference. Well written and easy for anyone to understand.