Comments on: The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders: Supporting Self-Esteem, Healthy Eating, and Positive Body Image at Home

By: Harriet Brown

Harriet Brown — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:21:00 +0000

If you’re a parent looking for information on family-based treatment (also known as the Maudsley approach), don’t buy this book. Herrin has taken some of the principles of Maudsley and adapted them in ways that are contrary to both the letter and spirit of true Maudsley treatment. Much of the advice dispensed here is the same old conventional “wisdom” on treating eating disorders.

Herrin’s “adaptations” of the Maudsley approach are often way off the mark. For true Maudsley information, read Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder by Daniel le Grange and James Lock.

–Harriet Brown

Co-chair, Maudsley Parents

http://www.maudsleyparents.org

Rating: 1 / 5

By: Caring Father

Caring Father — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:25:13 +0000

This book offers the usual list of eating disorder warning signs and dangers, some discussion of culture and body image issues along with a brief version of the author’s personal story. That may be of interest to some readers.

The back cover promises “four chapters devoted to the Maudsley approach” but doesn’t quite follow through. Rather, the author describes a form of treatment she terms PAMS (Parent Assisted Meals and Snacks) that departs in several ways from the Maudsley approach (also known as Family-Based Treatment). Parents interested in learning about Family-Based Treatment would be better off reading Lock and Le Grange’s Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder.

The book’s advice on communication borrows heavily from Difficult Conversations. Again, readers may wish to go right to the source for that information.
Rating: 2 / 5

By: annonymous

annonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:22:17 +0000

The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders contains an excellent section devoted to PAMS, or Parent-Assisted Meals and Snacks. I cant tell you how valuable and necessary this information is for a parent implementing the Maudsley approach to an eating disordered child. The author discuss the importance of monitoring and “forcing” your child to eat, what you should serve, how to deal with food fears, and what to expect. Nothing is sugar-coated, there is actually an example “Jessie’s Story”, in the middle of the chapter that provides support and encouragement. They stress the importance of being as loving as possible and give real advice on outlasting the child’s resistance and not giving up. This process, sitting with a child, arguing over calories and trying to get them to just eat, can be so frustrating,and the authors help parents provide a united front and find the courage and strength within themselves to bring an end to their kid’s ED. Any parent thinking of using the Maudsley method would find this book an invaluable resource
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Judi S.

Judi S. — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:18:18 +0000

Eating disorders seem to be epidemic, especially among young women, and this book offers sensible advice to those struggling with body image and those who love them. It questions some of our dangerous cultural assumptions, acting as an antidote to the toxic beliefs that are poisoning us. Every parent concerned about a child’s eating habits should read this book! Based on years of clinical experience, Ms. Herrin’s analysis is profoundly simple and applicable to the world in which we really live. I wish I had read it sooner!
Rating: 5 / 5

By: M. Levin

M. Levin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:00:37 +0000

This is a comprehensive and well-written book that will help parents navigate a vast amount of complex information about eating disorders. It clearly explains the various eating disorders and provides concrete information about treatment, about supporting children at home and in treatment, and about how to foster a positive body image at home.
Rating: 5 / 5