Below is a selection of Self Help Books that are independent from the HSE. The HSE does not review or endorse their specific content.
However, they are found to be very useful by patients and clinicians, who find them helpful in supporting recovery.
Parents are always recommended to fully review any material that children under 18 are viewing.
Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide for Families, Friends, and Sufferers – 2nd edition 2013
A clearly written, practical guide for people with Eating Disorders and their families offering insight and guidance into the recovery process. It is divided into four sections – an outline of anorexia; coping strategies; advice for families and carers; guidelines for professionals
Author: Janet Treasure
Publisher: Psychology Press, 2013
ISBN: 1135888078, 9781135888077
ED Focus: AN; Relevant All
Skills Based Learning for a loved one with an Eating Disorder
Gives carers knowledge and skills needed to support and encourage those with an eating disorder to help them break free from the traps that prevent recovery
Author: Janet Treasure, Gráinne Smith, Anna Crane
Publisher: Routledge, 2016
ISBN: 1317564502, 9781317564508
ED Focus: All ED’s, Relevant Parents/ Carers
Overcoming Binge Eating – 2nd edition – the proven programme to learn why you binge and how you can stop
Provides information needed to understand binge eating disorder and bring it under control. Evidence based self-help book, based on CBT-e principles with step by step guidelines.
Author: Christopher G. Fairburn
Publisher: Guilford Press, 2013
ISBN: 1572305614, 9781572305618
ED Focus: BN/BED, Relevant 16+
Getting Better Bite by Bite: a survival guide 2nd edition
An evidence based self-help book for sufferers of Bulimia or Binge Eating Disorder with step by step guidance for change based on CBT-e principles, also suitable for their families/carers and professionals treating them
Author: Ulrike Schmidt; Janet Treasure
ED Focus: BN/BED; Relevant 16+ and Parents/ Carers
Eating Disorders: A Resource for parents
An Irish written, broad overview of the issues around Eating Disorders, answering some of the more Frequently asked questions that parents may have.
Author: Bodywhys
ED Focus: All ED’s: Relevant Parents/ Carers
Please Eat – A Mothers Struggle to free her teenage son from Anorexia
Describes how, with the help of his parents and therapist, and through his own determination, Ben slowly began to recover and re-build his life.
Author: Bev Mattocks
ED Focus: AN; Relevant Parents/Carers
Brave Girl Eating: A family’s struggle with anorexia
A courageous and honest account of a families struggle with anorexia offering hope and direction to families who take on the crucial role of being a young person’s main support in the fight for recovery. Uses F.B.T. techniques.
Author: Harriet Browne
ED Focus: AN; Relevant Parents/Carers
Anorexia and other Eating Disorders
A very comprehensive book, written for parents by a parent/scientist, a detailed companion to the F.B.T. approach. It has a hopeful, empowering but realistic approach which will resonate with parents. It has an accompanying website and videos www.anorexiafamily.com
Author: Eva Musby
ED Focus:All ED’s; Relevant Parents/Carers
Help your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder – 2nd Edition
Practical Advice and steps to supporting mealtimes and recovery for parents of teens. This book shows that parents can and must play a key role in recovery. It is also the companion book to F.B.T. for Anorexia
Author: JamesLocke; Daniel LeGrange
ED Focus:AN/BN; Parents/Carers of<18
The Eating Disorder Recovery Handbook
An empathetic handbook offering practical self-help tools and worksheets for people affected by any form of disordered eating.
Author: Dr N.Davis and E.Bacon
ED Focus: All ED’s and Disordered Eating; Relevant All
Crave: why you binge and how to stop
General advice helping readers understand why they crave specific foods and how to recognize what triggers their strong urges.
Author: Cynthia M. Bulik, Ph.D.
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, 2009
ISBN: 0802717101, 9780802717108
ED Focus: BED; Relevant 16+
My Kid is Back: Empowering parents to beat Anorexia Nervosa
How Family Based treatment can help in Anorexia, allowing the patient to return to normal eating patterns and their families to return to a normal life. Single stories can be read in 15 minutes and provide an anchor for parents when adrift in difficult periods.
Author: June Alexander, Daniel Le Grange
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group, 2015
ISBN: 1138138541, 9781138138544
ED Focus: AN; Relevant Parents/Carers
The Parent's Guide to Eating Disorders: What every parent needs to know
A book on eating disorders written for parents by a parent – offers parents understanding, practical suggestions, guidance and real hope. A compassionate introduction to Eating Disorders which helps parents know they are not alone
ED Focus: AN; Relevant Parents/Carers
ED Says U Said
Helps overcome the attempts of an Eating Disorder to isolate the sufferer from sources of support by helping the carer learn the Eating Disorder language so the young person can feel understood.
Author: June Alexander, Cate Sangster
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2013
ISBN: 1849053316, 9781849053310
ED Focus: All ED’s; Relevant All
Give Food a Chance
Offers a fresh perspective on childhood eating disorders. Valuable insights for parents and professionals based on the Kartini Clinic in Portland, Oregon
Author: Julie O'Toole
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2015
ISBN: 1784500992, 9781784500993
ED Focus: AN; Relevant Parents/Carers
The Year I Didn’t Eat
An uplifting story of one boy’s battle with anorexia
Author: Samuel Pollen
Publisher: ZunTold, 2019
ISBN: 1999863356, 9781999863357
ED Focus: AN: Male perspective, Relevant All
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Feeling Good about the Way You Look: A Program for Overcoming Body Image Problems
If dissatisfaction about your looks is a distressing preoccupation, this book offers a CBT based programme for overcoming Body Image problems.
Author: Sabine Wilhelm
Publisher: Guilford Press, 2006
ISBN: 1606237977, 9781606237977
ED Focus: Body Dysmorphic Disorder; Relevant All