5 comments about My Name is Caroline.

1. This was an interesting and revealing account of one woman's struggle with, and recovery from bulimia. The book is repetitive by its nature -- she describes her compulsive binging and purging from the time she was a young teenager to a young woman. However, while autobiographical, many of the stories/anecdotes she included were unnecessary or irrelevant, weighing the reader down with the feeling of, "Haven't I read this before?" or "Who cares?" All in all, though, this is an insightful book about the nature and pain of addiction, and one that gives much-needed inspiration and hope about the possibility of recovery.



2. What an amazing book, I read it last summer and its contents are still with me.Caroline is amazingly honest and open about her experiences, a recommendation for anyone, particularly those who struggle to understand eating disorders.



3. Ms. Miller gives us an honest and humble account of her struggle with bulimia. Not just for bulimics, this book offers insight into emotional attachments one may have to eating and food. It is truly an interesting and easy to read story. Keep this one on hand to reread when you need encouragement or have lost sight of your ultimate goal of staying healthy and happy.



4. Trying to find books dealing with bulimia is tough. Atleast books that are up to date. My Name Is Caroline is a wonderful book for anyone who is/was bulimic. She never tried to hide any of her feelings in this book. You understand and sympathize with her. She is the typical/textbook bulimic. Upper-middle class, perfectionist, controlling parents... She shows you that there is hope and that you don't have to live your life like this.



5. This woman's life paralleled mine in so many ways--Harvard undergrad, young to marry, overachiever, and now bulimic. Caroline offers a path to recovery that I personally think is the only truly effective way: enlisting the help of God. This book is written in such a way that it won't trigger eating disorder behaviors, which many of the books on the subject do. I highly recommend this book to people who are in a dark place right now looking for hope and an answer to their prayers.

No comments about Body Image, Eating, Disorders, and Obesity: An Integrative Guide for Assessment and Treatment.

1 comments about Abstinence in Action: Food Planning for Compulsive Eaters.

1. It is this book I used to plan my meals while recovering in a 12 step program from binge & compulsive eating. I can not praise this book enough. It made a difficult road much easier to travel. If you know you need help and you aren't just looking for a diet, this is where you should turn.

3 comments about Afraid to Eat: Children and Teens in Weight Crisis.

1. To be overweight is to fail" . It sums up our society's attitude towards eating and body size today. This is a quote from 'AFRAID TO EAT: Children and Teens in Weight Crisis' by Frances M. Berg. While the book is a cultural commentary, it is also filled with practical advice on ways to prevent eating disorders, obesity, and dysfunctional eating.

   The first step to help, is to help understand the roots of the problem. This book does that. It points out the many ways in which we are not nurturing our children, particularly our girls. We are a society that has become fatter and fatter, yet simultaneously bombards our kids with the message that they need to achieve a body size and shape that is biologically unsustainable for the majority of them. This may be the seed for eating disorders. How high levels of obesity and disordered eating and starving teens can coexist is explained. AFRAID TO EAT explores the many forces at play....cultural expectations, media, the role of family and athletics, peer pressure, and more. It explores the issue of size rejudice and lifestyle choices, both of which lead to eating disorders and obesity.

   The second half of the book focuses on how to prevent eating disorders, how to make changes to promote normal eating where it doesn't exist, and how to intervene with childhood obesity. There are guidelines for healthy food choices, designs for new health approaches for families, how to include schools in prevention programs, and finally a call to action that challenges us to make changes in attitude (e.g. a greater appreciation for healthy lifestyles versus being thin), lifestyle (e.g. active living, improving phys ed programs in school), prevention (e.g. by promoting healthy attitudes and lifestyles and developing special prevention programs for schools and communities), health care (e.g. reduce size prejudice in health care, focus on improving health, not on ineffective weight loss) and knowledge ( e.g. improved communication to consumers, better education in medical school).

   There is useful information in this book not only for a parent, but also for teachers and health care workers. Perhaps after reading it you can share it with your school nurse or phys ed teacher. I am sure you will find its approach not only informative but practical and useful. The word 'vitality' is used a lot in this book as it helps us focus eating away from dieting and size/shape obsession towards eating that promotes a healthy and 'vital' lifestyle.

   I work as a professional nutritionist and see firsthand the consequences of the fear of eating. This book takes a big stab at addressing the revolutionary changes that need to be made in our personal and societal approaches towards eating. I recommend it to any who want to join in that revolution, or simply wish to help their own kids enjoy nutritious, guilt free eating for life.




2. Without a doubt, this book should be reading material for all parents before their first child is born.

   We want to think our youth are active and healthy. During my years of teaching, I have been more and more disturbed at inactivity of our children, disruption of normal eating, and the amount of fat and sugar calories served in school lunch rooms.

   The food the children who carry their lunch bring from home can be nourishing, but parents might be surprised if they watch their children eat. A child's lunch sack might have a good turkey sandwich with greens, two large cookies, a bar of candy, and a soft drink. The child almost always has the candy ond/or cookies at recess. When lunchtime comes, he often throws that good sandwich in the trash with the apple. The food he brought from home has now become two cookies, candy, and a soft drink.

   During recess too many children are inactive. Day after day, we watched the same ones stand around talking all recess while they eat their candy or cookies. After observing this for a few years, we scheduled a quarter-mile run twice a week and a full mile on Friday for P. E. Also, three times a week we have exercises appropriate to the age groups. You'd be surprised how many look forward to all the activity once they get used to it. We think it also stimulates brain activity in the classroom.

   On the other hand, there are the healthy, active children who might have a cookie at recess, then play hard. They eat their sandwich and apple at lunch and the cookies and are eaten or saved for after school. In these children's lunch boxes there is porbably no candy. What's happening here? Berg says studies show that parents that don't "bug" their children about eating, produce children who don't have hang-ups about eating.

   Berg writes that research shows that family attitudes can play a big part in the future eating patterns of their children. When a healthy baby's hunger is satisfied, it will then stop drinking. Parents who "urge him to finish the bottle, disguise cereal with applesauce to get it down" and thus feel frustrated for fear the baby isn't eating enough, is teaching the infant that it's important to eat more than his body needs. All parents should read carefully and think about what Berg has to say.

   A parent who "hesitates to let a chubby toddler have seconds, makes a preschooler stay at the table until she finishes her peas, insists that the child eat `two bites of each food,' or lectures a school-age child to get him to drink his milk...is overmanaging, and it teaches children to ignore their natural signals of hunger and satiety."

   By allowing a child to listen and heed these natural signals, Berg tells us that this is an important way to begin the youngster on a lifetime of healthy eating patterns.

   Americans serve too large portions. A friend of mine returned from a long vacation in England and remarked that she didn't see an overweight English person all the time she was there. I said I was surprised, I always thought Britons were gluttons. She said she did, too, but she didn't see any.

   Berg tells why. "A Healthy Weight Journal subscriber in London sent me an article titled: `Portions all out of Proportion' that decried `America's elephantine cuisine.' The writer compares national foods: hot dogs (350 calories in the U.S. versus 150 calories in Britain), cookies (493 vs. 65), ice cream cone (625 vs.160), muffin (705 vs. 158), and a meal of steak and fries (2,060 vs. 730). Until recently, our very large muffins were called "jumbo muffins," the article notes, now they are simply `muffins.' " Apparently, we are the ones who have become the nation of gluttons.

   Berg says that even some our food that is considered healthy, non-junk food is astoundingly high in calories. And the more a child above the age of 3 is served, the more he eats. Big portions promote over-eating. Berg says studies show that our school-age children are getting heavier every year. Younger and younger children are becoming anorexic to stay slim, an astounding number alternately diet and binge. These patterns used to be found among those high school age and older, now they appear among elementary children.

   Berg says problems such as eating disorders, dysfunctional eating, undernutrition of teenage girls trying to be thin, hazardous weight loss, and size prejudice all are increasing. Surprisingly, all that can be prevented. The author, Francie Berg, when asked why she wrote this book, says she grows more and more concerned about the appalling research on children and youth eating problems. The true facts were there, but no one was telling those who need to know: our parents and teachers.

   Now that she's telling us-we need to listen.

   Berg's research is well done. Anyone who doubts what she writes, can read the studies for themselves as her sources are well documented.

   Jeanie T.




3. Two important guides to weight and eating are presented in these excellent surveys by Frances Berg. Children And Teens Afraid To Eat (0-918532-55-8, ...) examines six major eating and weight problems, from undernutrition of teens to eating disorders and obesity, blending statistics with a survey of underlying social causes and the actions which need to be taken to help teens. Women Afraid To Eat (62-0, ....) documents the physical and psychological harm done by social images which focus on the detriments of eating. From fad diets to weight prejudices, this tells women how to break free of weight obsession.

No comments about How to Quit Whatever You Want to Quit: Ten Steps to Overcoming Lifelong Addictions.

5 comments about A Starving Madness: Tales of Hunger, Hope, and Healing in Psychotherapy.

1. Dr. Rabinor's beautiful book should do for women's body images, what Carol Gilligan famously did for women's relational consciousness. The two have much in common in their sensitive writing style, their originality, their kindness to our wounds. Highly recoomend this wonderful book. Five stars.



2. A Starving Madness: Tales Of Hunger, Hope, & Healing In Psychotherapy is a collection of stories based on the clients of Judith Rabinor, a New York psychologist who specializes on eating and body disorders. With its candid presentation of the art of psychotherapy, and a compelling testimony of hope for finding the right balance in body and mind, A Starving Madness is highly recommended reading, especially for anyone seeking or needing professional help to deal with body image distortion and eating disorder conditions.



3. Judy Rabinor has the rare gift of educating through beautifully crafted stories. Each chapter could stand alone as a beautifully written short story, and the cumulative effect grows, so that by the book's conclusion, the reader has an ever-deepening understanding of this most difficult issue. I have recomended this book to patients who suffer from eating disorders, their parents, mates and friends. They thank me for the recommendation, and tell me that not only is each chapter filled with the realities that they have faced, but also that their understanding of this profound problem is further deepened. Dr. Rabinor's honesty about not only her patients, but also her own experience of the therapeutic process, including the pain some of the cases have induced in her, was especialy welcome. This is a book that belongs on the shelf of anyone who has been touched by this problem, and any therapist who treats it.



4. In her book, Dr. Rabinor weaves a beautiful tapestry of hope using the unique stories of her patients with eating disorders. Her spirituality shines through in this wonderful book, while her openness about her own human shortcomings and doubts creates an endearing image of a very caring therapist.
   Whatever your path, I can gaurantee you will benefit from reading this book. It brings a true message of hope and lets us know that healing from eating disorders takes a lot of work, but with committment it is possible.
   Bravo!



5. her book was a total wake up call for me. after suffering from this illness for almost 17 years i had lost all hope of ever recovering. it was as if a light went on in the dark. thank you judy!!
   !!!!read this book!!!!

5 comments about Just a Little Too Thin: How to Pull Your Child Back from the Brink of an Eating Disorder.

1. Dr. Michael Strober has taken his life's work, synthesized it, and encapsulated in a very well written, accessible text. Dr. Strober is known internationally in academic psychiatry and psychology as a "triple threat". This means he has the highest respect as a clinician, teacher and researcher. When it comes to eating disorders you want Dr. Strober to care for you; you want him to teach you and you want to follow his research findings. Now all of these arenas are covered in one place: Just a Little Too Thin: How to Pull Your Child Back from the Brink of an Eating Disorder. I consider this a must read for any patient or family dealing with anorexia as well as all students and clinicians interested in eating disorder.



2. Dr. Michael Strober provides excellent insight for parents of girls suffering from eating disorders. His combination of academic research and clinical experience makes his advice both practical and effective. There is no other guide like this out there.
   
   Another excellent resource for parents is STICK FIGURE: A DIARY OF MY FORMER SELF by Lori Gottlieb. I heard a reading from both books tonight, and having both the doctor's and patient's points of views was invaluable. As a parent of a teen girl, I highly recommend reading both books together.



3. Eating disorders are ever more prevalent in an image-obsessed society, the phenomenon affecting young girls at an alarming rate. Faced with this concern, parents are often understandably overwhelmed, at a loss for information. This book is designed to help parents define their daughter's behavior, whether there are signs of a passing phase or more serious symptoms, making specific suggestions to interpret eating behavior. The focus of this volume is pre-disorder, appropriate information for parents before their daughter has slipped into pathology, offering insights for using this information proactively, concentrating on a developing girl before she falls victim to peer pressure and media saturation. The authors outline three stages of eating behavior: the innocent (but rigid) dieter, the exhilarated dieter and the distressed and preoccupied dieter. The evolution of these stages is subtle, the obsessive dieter ever more skilled in exercising aberrant behavior, offering logical excuses for a temporary problem that may, in fact, be accelerating, a condition that "weakens her emotionally, cognitively and physically."
   
   Puberty is a critical factor in the onset of eating disorder or preoccupation with weight, the body's natural changes occurring with social expectations and hormonal acceleration, all of which may distort a girl's perception of her body, her food obsession and lack of nutrition gaining in significance. Other triggers include: intense participation in athletics, genetic predisposition to weight gain and the messages of family, society and peer pressure. Certainly the media sends a strong and consistent drumbeat of impossible perfection, television, the movies and the music industry major contributing factors. Add in an adolescent's need for control and the potential for an eating disorder deserves serious attention. One chapter offers detailed suggestions for counteracting the pervasiveness of a thin-oriented culture, changing the dialog before the damage is done, speaking positively about physical image, avoiding injurious remarks about overweight people, developing inner resources and natural talents and articulating feelings. Specific case studies offer insights into pre-adolescent thinking, some misperceptions that can be corrected as a girl views her identity and body in relation to the world at large.
   
   Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are disorders that require immediate intervention, a clearly defined diagnosis of specific behaviors and a fear of fat that is not relieved by weight loss. In contrast, Just a Little Too Thin addresses the diet obsession, adolescents and pre-adolescents tailoring their eating habits to control weight gain, a still viable situation where parents can effectively work with their daughters to prevent more serious issues. The most effective treatment is preventive, focusing on teaching girls how to develop healthy self-perception, a valuable asset aimed at dealing with body image before it becomes a problem. Luan Gaines/ 2005.



4. Eating disorder authority Michael Strober, Ph.D. and therapist Meg Schneider MA, LMSW combine their expertise in Just A Little Too Thin: How To Pull Your Child Back From The Brink Of An Eating Disorder, a straightforward guide to recognizing the dangerous signs of when one's daughter (or more rarely, one's son) shifts from becoming an "innocent" to "exhilarated" to "preoccupied dieter" - when dieting has less to do with weight and health and more to do with emotional issues that could prove fatal. Offering compassionate, no-nonsense advice on how to talk to one's children about weight issues, and guide him or her away from the slippery slope that can lead to anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders, Just A Little Too Thin is a valuable, jargon-free guide. Additional chapters also offer insight concerning when professional help or medical intervention are necessary, and if so, how to go about it. Highly recommended.



5. Eating disorder authority Michael Strober, Ph.D. and therapist Meg Schneider MA, LMSW combine their expertise in Just A Little Too Thin: How To Pull Your Child Back From The Brink Of An Eating Disorder, a straightforward guide to recognizing the dangerous signs of when one's daughter (or more rarely, one's son) shifts from becoming an "innocent" to "exhilarated" to "preoccupied dieter" - when dieting has less to do with weight and health and more to do with emotional issues that could prove fatal. Offering compassionate, no-nonsense advice on how to talk to one's children about weight issues, and guide him or her away from the slippery slope that can lead to anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders, Just A Little Too Thin is a valuable, jargon-free guide. Additional chapters also offer insight concerning when professional help or medical intervention are necessary, and if so, how to go about it. Highly recommended.

2 comments about Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa.

1. MAKE A BOOKTALKS ABOUT 2 PAGES TO TELL ABOUT THIS BOO



2. This book is waste of time if you really want to learn about anorexia. It's very difficult to understand and the author seems to have some odd ideas concerning his clients. I also think he tends to encourage being too blunt and forceful with anorexia sufferers, something that only pushes them away. He also doesn't permit his clients to have enough choices in thier treatment.

2 comments about Helping Your Child Overcome an Eating Disorder.

1. Bethany Teachman et al., Helping Your Child Overcome an Eating Disorder (New Harbinger Publications, 2003)
   
   I like the way this book is laid out; a good portion of it is in workbook form, for you to write down answers to the questions the authors ask you as they go along. It's also relatively easy reading, and clearly written.
   
   As with, seemingly, most books on the subject of childhood and teen eating disorders, the authors tend to focus more on anorexia and bulimia than binge eating disorder, but not to the extent of some of the books I've either read or skimmed on the subject. And the authors do address the subject more in depth than a number of books.
   
   Useful. ***



2. Although this book claims to educate parents about empirically (scientifically) supported treatments for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, it does not mention the Maudsley Method of treatment. In this book, Teachman and her coauthors perpetuate the outdated ideas that parents should be kept largely in the dark about their child's therapeutic progress, and that parents should stay away from trying to influence what their anorexic child eats. To the contrary, active parental involvement can be vital in a child's recovery from an eating disorder. The Maudsley Method has been empirically shown to be extremely effective in treating adolescents with eating disorders. The Maudsley Method supports parents in effectively encouraging their children to eat sufficient food to gain weight to a healthy weight for their own body, while also addressing other important facets of treatment. For this different perspective on the treatment of eating disorders, see the books by Drs. James Lock and Daniel Le Grange.

2 comments about A Victim No More: How to Break Free from Self-Judgment.

1. Really enjoyed this book. It was much more than just a typical self-help book because Lori walks her talk. She's been through every vile thing a woman can have happen to her--several rapes, a lifetime of eating disorders,and even a suicide attempt--yet her life and her book gives testimony to her triumph over the long dark night of the soul.
   
   A Victim No More is at heart a feel good book chock full of golden nuggets about how Lori gradually released old patterns that no longer served her and replaced them with microscopic honesty about each and every choice she makes. Her hard fought victory over victimhood is an inspiring story and shows us the way to consistently make the right choices to bring forth all the joy, the happiness and the love which is our birthright.



2. It is the worst self-help book I have ever seen. I could get no help out of it whatsoever; it is just empty crap full of citing other authors, and telling you what to read to maybe get some help. I don't recommend it, to say the least.