When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Anorexia and Bulimia

Deborah Michel and Susan Willard have drawn from their wealth of experience treating patients in one of the most enduring and effective inpatient eating disorders programs to create a concise introduction to anorexia nervosa and bulimia. When Dieting Becomes Dangerous is written plainly enough to provide a working knowledge of eating disorders to patients and families while going into sufficient depth to give treating professionals a valuable resource. It provides an elegant model of the treatment team, clearly defining the roles of each member as the team deals with both the target behaviors and the underlying struggle to create an enduring sense of self beyond the limits of body image. Richard A. Moskovitz, MD, author of Carousel Music and Lost in the Mirror, 2nd Edition: An Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder

This small book by Michel and Willard is one of the best and most accessible pieces of writing I have read about eating disorders. Without the hype and drama that the conditions usually inspire, the authors discuss calmly and thoughtfully the possible root causes of anorexia and bulimia as well as the route to recovery. There were several items in this book that I found useful - one was the comprehensive discussion of the ideal team approach to treating the disorders. The role of the dietitian is particularly interesting - I had never thought of the possibility that someone with an eating disorder would need a professional with that training not just for information about eating healthfully but to give the patient an outlet for his or her obsessive concerns about food, so that therapy could address other issues. Along those lines, Michel and Willard highlight the roles that other health professionals, such as dentists, can play in identifying and treating eating disorders. This is a must read for any health professional who might ever encounter someone with an eating disorder and not be sure of what to do. I also welcomed the discussion of the male patterns with respect to eating disorders - very often we categorize these as female problems and overlook the fact that boys and men can and do suffer from them, albeit in slightly different proportions and manners. I think this is also one of the few texts that discusses the role of the family without implicitly blaming family members for what has happened - and that is valuable to all concerned. All in all, a good read - quick and informative - and essential for anyone who has an eating disorder or knows someone who does.