Surviving an Eating Disorder: New Perspectives and Strategies for Family and Friends

Siegel and Brisman are founders of Bulimia Treatment Associates; Weinshel is on the faculty of the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, both facilities in New York City. These psychologists here offer counsel on bulimia, anorexia and/or compulsive overeating. The text concentrates on women who binge and vomit or starve themselves, primarily female aberrations, and discusses gourmands, mostly male. Starting with case histories that posit family experiences as the root of bizarre eating, the authors progress to information on how to recognize symptoms of disorder and how to help the sufferers. Victims must face their illnesses squarely, the first step on the long road to recovery, stress the authors. ""Don't go it alone,'' they add, appending a list of organizations that provide information on professional help. (April)