Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family: One Parent's Practical Guide to Recovery (Family Matters)

"Nine years ago my daughter came home after an abusive marriage and developed Anorexia, yet did not recognise she was ill. It was the beginning of a living nightmare." Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family: One Parent’s Guide to Recovery is the first supportive self-help guide written by a carer for other carers. This is the book Gráinne Smith searched for without success, as she battled against the wall of rejection and denial her daughter’s illness built around her, determined not to allow her to be one of the 20 per cent who die. It is her personal story that proves that these house guests can be evicted. But it is more than that. It is also a practical guide with many tips and suggestions, including how to deal with eating, kitchen and bathroom issues, how to manage dramatic changes in mood behaviour and personality, how to get the best from professional help, and how to survive as a family.Gráinne Smith knows there are no easy answers. She has researched the subject through world-leading authorities, worked as a volunteer and on a helpline. She is a mother who has lived through the nightmare, and so has her daughter. Written by a mother whose daughter suffers from an eating disorder, Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa is a supportive, helpful guide for families of those with eating disorders. Framed by the personal story of Gráinne Smith and her daughter, the book describes the onset and symptoms of the two disorders, as well as the typical situations family and caregivers can expect on the long road to helping the sufferer to recover. Readers will learn about the effects on family life, in particular the common feelings of isolation and helplessness, and get strategies for coping and finding more information and assistance.Gráinne Smith has worked for several years on the Eating Disorder Association helpline as a volunteer, putting to good use her training and experience as a former Samaritan. During that time she has spoken to hundreds of carers and sufferers as well as to many professionals. A founder member, now chairperson, of NEEDS Scotland (North East Eating Disorder Support) and a member of the Mental Health group that developed the Scottish Executive Health Department framework document for eating disorders services in Scotland, she has also taken part in Mental Health and Well-being Support Group visits to health boards and presented a petition on eating disorders to the Scottish Executive. She currently works to raise awareness of how poor mental health affects whole families while good mental health underpins physical well-being. During a long career in primary education, including nine years as head teacher of Fyvie Nursery and Primary School, Aberdeenshire, she enjoyed working with whole families and children aged from 3 to 12. As a writer, Gráinne has had short stories and poems published in magazines and anthologies; while working with Grampian Region she helped write and present courses for teachers and head teachers; she has also written many educational materials including coordinating and contributing to the pack''Fyvie Castle - Its Life and Legends''. Contents......Page 9 About the author......Page 11 Foreword......Page 13 Preface......Page 17 Acknowledgements......Page 19 Part I......Page 21 1 Introductions......Page 23 2 Arrivals......Page 31 3 Prepare for a long road......Page 39 4 Living with the volcano......Page 47 5 Horrible habits and ghastly games......Page 53 6 Family actions and reactions......Page 59 7 Control issues......Page 65 8 How bad can it get?......Page 71 9 Can the family survive Anorexia?......Page 79 10 You are not alone......Page 83 11 Read all about it!......Page 87 12 Research – past and present......Page 91 13 Anorexia, Bulimia and self-esteem......Page 105 Part II......Page 119 14 Anxious Annie, Soft Sue or Hard-hearted Hannah – the parents’ dilemma......Page 121 15 Tips, techniques and strategies......Page 129 16 Coming up for air – stress, distress and survival for carers......Page 151 17 Pathways to professionals......Page 167 18 End of the story . . . or rather, a new beginning . . .......Page 189 Appendices......Page 197 Definitions......Page 199 Family areas affected by anorexia and bulimia nervosa......Page 202 More carers’ conversations from the EDA help line and meetings......Page 204 Addiction/compulsive behaviour – going down . . . coming up!......Page 212 How to be a motivational carer......Page 217 Useful addresses, phonen umbers and websites......Page 221 Recommended reading......Page 223 Bibliography......Page 225 Index......Page 229 "Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family is the first supportive self-help guide written by a carer for other carers. This is the book Grainne Smith searched for without success, as she battled against the wall of rejection and denial her daughter's illness built around her, determined not to allow her to be one of the 20 per cent who die. It is her personal story, but it is more than that. It is also a practical guide with many tips, including how to deal with eating, kitchen and bathroom issues, how to manage dramatic changes in mood behaviour, and how to survive as a family. Grainne Smith knows there are no easy answers. She has researched the subject through world-leading authorities, worked as a volunteer and on a helpline. She is a mother who has lived through the nightmare, and so has her daughter. Book jacket."--Jacket

Written by a mother whose daughter suffers from an eating disorder, Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa is a supportive, helpful guide for families of those with eating disorders. Framed by the personal story of Gráinne Smith and her daughter, the book describes the onset and symptoms of the two disorders, as well as the typical situations family and caregivers can expect on the long road to helping the sufferer to recover. Readers will learn about the effects on family life, in particular the common feelings of isolation and helplessness, and get strategies for coping and finding more information and assistance.

Written by a mother whose daughter suffers from an eating disorder, Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa is a supportive, helpful guide for families of those with eating disorders. Framed by the personal story of Gráinne Smith and her daughter, the book describes the onset and symptoms of the two disorders, as well as the typical situations family and caregivers can expect on the long road to helping the sufferer to recover. Readers will learn about the effects on family life, in particular the common feelings of isolation and helplessness, and get strategies for coping and finding more information and assistance. Written by a mother whose daughter suffers from an eating disorder, Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa is a supportive, helpful guide for families of those with eating disorders. Framed by the personal story of Grainne Smith and her daughter, the book describes the onset and symptoms of the two disorders, as well as the typical situations family and caregivers can expect on the long road to helping the sufferer to recover. Readers will learn about the effects on family life, in particular the common feelings of isolation and helplessness, and get strategies for coping and finding more information an Pt. 1. Arrivals The long road Volcano Horrible habits and ghastly games Family actions and reactions Issues of control How bad can it get? Survival of the family You are not alone Read all about it! Research - past and present Anorexia, bulimia and self-esteem Pt. 2. Anxious annie, soft sue and hard hearted hannah - the parents' dilemma Tips, techniques and strategies Coming up for air Pathways to professionals End of the story - or rather, a new beginning. My life was opening up, I had lots of friends and an improving social life, a job that gave a lot of satisfaction as well as hard work, and I began to plan for my own future ... Work abroad for a children's charity?