The Secret Language of Eating Disorders: How You Can Understand and Work to Cure Anorexia and Bulimia

by Peggy Claude-Pierre

"A provacative new analysis" ( Newsweek) that offers a true path to healing eating disorders.

In this approachable look at the complex topic of eating disorders, Peggy Claude-Pierre examines the common misconceptions around anorexia and bulimia to discover the true causes and shares a groundbreaking path to healing.

"A gripping, often chilling view of what it's like to battle these horrific diseases."— Newsweek

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Health, Food, Mental Illness

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[La Petite Américaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Brave Girl Eating was such a colossal piece of crap, I thought I should at least mention that book's polar opposite. Brave Girl Eating is really just a rip-off and repackaging of Claude-Pierre's ideas and methods, which is why Harriet Brown's book should be trashed and Claude-Pierre's book should be reprinted for decades to come. If you really find yourself needing to read a book about eating disorders, this should be the one you choose.

If you'd asked me what I thought of Peggy Claude-Pierre when I was eighteen, I surely would have used words like "hero" and "genius" and "angel." Now that I'm thirty (and a little more worldly and a lot more wary) I do have some doubts about Peggy. Both of her daughters were anorexic, so that doesn't exactly make her super-mom to me. Also, her theories and methods have no scientific, psychological or medical basis, so I do wonder if they can apply to people outside of Peggy's clinic.

However, none of these things mean that Peggy is wrong.

You really can't argue with her results. She took people that were at death's door and brought them back to life. She was able to accurately describe what suffering from an eating disorder feels like and she was able to figure out what it took to get people eating again. She was able to show the world that people with disordered eating aren't self-absorbed, but they're suffering and they don't know why. And Peggy Claude-Pierre was the first person to say that eating disorders are 100% curable. That was everything. That was hope.

So while I do have a few small doubts here and there about Peggy and her methods, I am happy to dismiss them because of the overwhelming amount of good that she has done. And maybe, just maybe, somewhere beneath my tough exterior, hidden away in the depths of my black little heart, are quiet little sentiments for Claude-Pierre, something along the lines of "hero," and "genius," and "angel."

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you or someone you know has or has had an eating disorder - PICK UP THIS BOOK.

The stereotype on eating disorders (ED) has malnourished our society's ability to sympathize and aid coping to those who're now forever going to struggle with an ED. Even in years of wellness and no struggle, the mindset being those with an ED is almost the same anywhere despite who you are, where you come from or what you believe. Yes, we all know it's self-worth issues; self-esteem issues. What we don't know is the minds of those struggling.

As someone with an ED (currently doing very well), I was stunned at the author's ability to put into writing and so eloquently how I thought. How I sometimes still think. I've urged my husband and my mother to read this for better understanding... not just of the ED but of me as a person. I hope I can speak on behalf of many people struggling with ED's.

Not only informative, but truly a way to understand and help those with an ED. I applaud Peggy Claude-Pierre for her hardwork in the ED world. She is truly somebody who cares.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many books about eating disorders out there. This one has some good information, but know that there are other books that are better. I am a clinician that works with disordered eating and poor body image.

I read little that seemed unique to the author. She just "packaged" some things differently and coined her own terms. She spends a good amount of time talking about her two daughters and seems to build a case against blaming the parents or life events.

I remember one part where she spoke about her divorce and how it didn't play a role in the ED of her children. Seemed defensive and while maybe it didn't play a role, I felt it was more about her justifying herself than allowing her daughters to name and own every piece of their story.

[Marzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fame d'amore" P. Claude-Pierre: 7
Libro interessante e che offre un'altra possibile spiegazione a diversi disturbi tra i quali i disturbi alimentari. L'autrice, in seguito all'ammalarsi di anoressia, in tempi diversi, di entrambe le figlie, crea un approccio nuovo nel trattamento. La sua teoria si basa sul fatto da lei riscontrato che esistono persone particolarmente sensibili ed empatiche che sarebbero più predisposte alla creazione e cronicizzazione di una "mente negativa", da immaginarsi come contrapposta alla "mente reale". La mente negativa, nel tempo e con le giuste condizioni, assume sempre più potere sulla vittima che non riesce a contrastarla e cade in una "condizione di negatività cronica " che si esplicita attraverso diversi disturbi, tra i quali quelli alimentari. Il compito delle persone addette alla cura è quindi quello di inondare di amore incondizionato la persona, più precisamente la "mente reale" per darle sempre più appoggio e potere in modo che possa relegare la mente negativa in maniera consistente. Così facendo, la vittima può guarire e tornare a vivere senza le interferenze interne che provocano tanta sofferenza e senso di inutilità da desiderare la morte per fame.
Io non sono del settore e non conosco le reali statistiche e casistiche sulle quali si basa questa teoria/approccio, ma credo che possa essere un buon metodo per molte persone malate e, in definitiva, mi sento di consigliarne la lettura in caso di necessità.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very informative about anorexia, but I felt a little disappointed that she did not write as much about bulimia of which I know less information.

However, Peggy has done incredible work, not only with her two daughters who suffered from anorexia, but with many victims of these life-threatening diseases.

Reading the thoughts of some of her patients was heartbreaking, but I am glad I read it.

[Cheryl Blask · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the edition I read, but the closest I could find here. As a therapist, I wished I had read this years ago. Valuable approach to a pervasive set of disorders.

[Kiersten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book despite all the "drama" surrounding the author. The press came down on her pretty hard saying she used unethical treatment with her patients. The book that explains this furthers is far out of my price range and I can't find it in a library. So, I am basing my review on how I felt about the book. Not too shabby. However, her clinic was closed so I wonder...thus three stars instead of the four I would give it.

[Jen Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book first came out I remember a sense of pride. Having met and corresponded with Peggy Claude-Pierre during my own struggles with anorexia, she gave me inspiration and (seriously) was the only one who "got" what was going on in my head.

Peggy did go on to help treat EDs and despite any claims of her center having been contreversal, she still did so much good for so many people.

This is a wonderful book.

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down this book has opened my insight and has enabled me to further understand the essence of an Eating Disorder. It explores beyond the traditional reasons/ underlying causes and myths and allows room to extend past that. Peggy Claude-Pierre is a genius in my opinion. This book isn't anything your going to expect ESPECIALLY if you've read any other books on Eating Disorders before this one. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT- IT PUT IT IN PERSEPCTIVE FOR ME.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this once before in college, and I reread it recently. Anyone who works with children, and especially teens, could garner some helpful perspectives from this. Even though I never reached the extreme of a diagnosable eating disorder, this insightfully sketches a singular mindset that leads to those extremes.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at eating disorders and why they manifest themselves. After saving both of her daughters from eating disorders, Peggy Claude-Pierre went on to develop her own theory and treatment process. Towards the end, I grew bored with reading it, but found the first half very interesting.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the single best book I've read so far on the subject because it breaks down the disease into actually that: a mental disease and coping mechanism for many environmental aspects in one's life. Also, she shows how it affects females in particular but makes it more than a girl trying to be like the media images or whatever other shallow things people usually think about eating disorders.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended reading when I did my undergraduate psyc field placement at an eating disorders clinic, powerful stuff! I remember one anecdote about a girl choosing the blackest, ripest, banana to eat and eating on the floor like an animal. Sad.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still a bit unsure about the "Negative Mind." The phrase just doesn't seem scientific enough for me yet. But it is hard to argue with the author's success at helping people with eating disorders. There was so much in the book that was inspirational.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provided some very good info on eating disorders. It would be good for counselors, medical professionals, etc. but also for parents who are struggling to get quality care for their kids who are suffering from eating disorders.

[Cylia Of Nazareth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wished it focused more on all types of eating disorders. Even bulimia is barely brushed. So this is more of a book on anorexia. I have learnt quite a bit on the topic and, even after learning about the author's "fall from grace", it was still an interesting read.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great book if you know someone or are someone with an eating disorder. very haunting but extremely insightful

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everything this woman says is any good and I don't think you can teach what worked for her, however, the book was very interesting.

[Marilisa Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful to eating disorders. Really helps if you have someone in your family that has experienced this and you want to help them and understand more.

[Jodi Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as I was trying to understand a friend's struggle with an eating disorder. Helpful. Insightful.

[Marnie]

An old one, but a good one!

[Deborah Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book, helped me understand more about the mindset that is there for individuals who suffer with an eating disorder.

[Jan Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

good information, better able to understand the method for recovery

[Katrin]

Real good book!!!!