Conquering Eating Disorders: How Family Communication Heals

by Sue Cooper, Peggy Norton

Overview

One out of every one hundred young women is anorexic. Four out of every one hundred are bulimic. Overall, research suggests that eight million Americans—men and women—have an eating disorder. Yet in the face of these startling statistics, parents do not have a clear understanding of how to help their child overcome an eating disorder.

In Conquering Eating Disorders, Susan Cooper, a licensed psychologist and group psychotherapist, and Peggy Norton, a dietician with thirty years of experience, bridge the gap between the statistics and the real-life issues to help teens and parents gain the communication skills necessary to support the healing process. Parents need to know that only in Conquering Eating Disorders will you hear directly from teens struggling with eating disorders and get expert advice on how to interpret and respond to what your teen is saying—even when they're not talking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786726240
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	09/16/2008
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	225
File size:	631 KB

About the Author

Susan Cooper, PhD, PC, a licensed psychologist and group psychotherapist, is currently the VP for Academic Affairs and a core faculty member at the University of the Rockies. Susan has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders for more than two decades. In 2005, Susan coauthored a chapter (Eating Disorders) in a book entitled Applying Sport Psychology: Four Perspectives edited by Taylor, J. & Wilson, G. Susan will use Conquering Eating Disorders in her eating disorder courses, as well as at the Eating Disorder Treatment Center of Denver, Remuda Ranch, and Sierra Tucson (all are inpatient treatment centers in the Western United States).

Peggy Norton, RD has worked in the field of dietetics for over 30 years. Peggy has a private practice where she specializes in treating clients with eating disorders, in partnership with a team of therapists. She also has experience running groups for clients with eating disorders as well as overweight individuals. She is an equine facilitator, partnering with therapists to develop specialized programs using horse therapy for treatment. She speaks often to high schools and community groups on various nutrition topics.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Power of Live ix Epigraph: Facts and Story xxi Scenario 1 Lost In the Fog: When a Parent Is Depressed 1 Scenario 2 Great Expectations: When Teens Are Pressured to Mend a Parent's Broken Dreams 15 Scenario 3 "Who Am I Now?": When a Teen Faces a Sudden Identity Crisis 25 Scenario 4 The Family's Good Name: When Teens Are Expected to Keep Up Appearances 37 Scenario 5 The Blame Game: When a Parent's Insecurities Become Paralyzing 47 Scenario 6 Hiding Out With the Skeletons: When Parents Suffer from Addiction 57 Scenario 7 Too Cool for School: When the Rules of Friendship Suddenly Change 69 Scenario 8 So Little Time: When Kids Are Overbooked 79 Scenario 9 Tread Softly...: When a Teen Has a Sensitive Temperament 89 Scenario 10 A Final Farewell: When a Parent Is Terminally Ill 101 Scenario 11 Who's the Favorite?: When Sibling Rivalry Creates Barriers 113 Scenario 12 In Control: When Teens Show Signs of Perfectionism or OCD 123 Scenario 13 Whatever it Takes to Win: When Athletes Feel Compelled to Control Their Weight 131 Scenario 14 The Runner's High: When Athletic Euphoria Becomes an Addiction 139 Scenario 15 Mother May I?: When Parents Project Weight Concerns onto Their Teens 149 Scenario 16 Lengthening the Leash: When a Close Relationship Is Too Close 157 Scenario 17 A Well-Stocked Pantry: When a Teen Needs More Food Choices 167 Scenario 18 Leaving Home: When a Teen Goes Off to College 177 Scenario 19 The Supermodel Seduction: When the Brainwashing Begins 189 Scenario 20 An Island Unto Himself: When Overweight Teens Start to Withdraw 199 Scenario 21 Everybody Else's Girl: When TeensBecome Caretakers 211 Scenario 22 A New Kind of Family: When Divorce Strikes a Teen's Life 221 Scenario 23 Uprooted: When a Teen Is the New Kid in Town 223 Scenario 24 Two Worlds Colllide: When a Teen Struggles with Bicultural Issues 247 Conclusion: Perfecting the Art of Balance Appendix Tools for Families 269 Family Meals 269 Family Meetings 273 Forgiveness 277
"I" Messages 281 Supplementary Reading and Additional Resources 283 Acknowledgments 289 About the Authors 291