Books about Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a condition in which an individual eats, or avoids eating, in a manner which negatively affects both one's physical and mental health. Eating disorders can range from mild mental anguish to life-threatening conditions, and can affect every aspect of an individuals daily life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder, "feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one's experience of emotional well being are determined by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale." Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders generally recognized by medical classification schemes, with a significant diagnostic overlap between the two. Together, they affect an estimated 5-7% of females in the United States during their lifetimes and "approximately 10% of eating disordered individuals coming to the attention of mental health professionals are male". There are several other eating disorders which are prevalent amongst certain demographics that are being investigated and defined - Rumination syndrome, Compulsive overeating, and Selective eating disorder. More »