From Publishers Weekly
Lock, a psychiatrist specializing in adolescence, and le Grange, an assistant professor of psychiatry, have written a comprehensive book on a difficult topic. They present some new concepts on the management of eating disorders that are somewhat contradictory to current thinking, and make valid points backed by research (the authors have a five-year grant for studying the treatment of anorexia nervosa). Early on, Lock and le Grange emphasize the need for parents to take immediate action in obtaining help for their teens and to not dwell on the "why." Many therapists balk at this approach, believing the motivations for an eating disorder are an essential part of treatment. But Lock and le Grange present research suggesting the disorder can be linked to personality traits and even genetics. The book then moves on to help parents understand eating disorders by delving into the complexity of these disorders, the distorted thinking behind a teenager's behavior and what the research says about the best ways to treat anorexia and bulimia. Finally, the authors address ways to make treatment work, drawing on experiences they've have had with families they have helped. There are many red flags that parents should recognize when it comes to their adolescent daughter or son's eating habits, and this intelligent book points them out clearly and concisely. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"Navigating the treacherous ground of a child's eating disorder can be a remarkable challenge. Written by two trusted figures in the eating disorders field, this book offers parents a clear and comprehensive roadmap for helping a child overcome this serious threat to health and well-being."--Kelly D. Brownell, PhD, Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders; author of Food Fight

"Parents receive lots of advice about how to help their children recover from eating disorders--but often it's the wrong advice. This book helps parents understand what is going on with their child and how they can take an active role in making treatment more successful. I highly recommend it."--W. Stewart Agras, MD, coauthor of Overcoming Eating Disorders

"If you are the parent of a teenager who is struggling with an eating disorder, you probably feel confused, anxious, and filled with questions. What should you do? Is it your fault? Can you help? This book, written by two eating disorder experts, will help you find some answers. It clearly explains what eating disorders are about and which treatments work best, and gives practical suggestions and encouragement. Recommended for any concerned parent."--Rachel Bryant-Waugh, PhD, University of Southampton, UK; author of Eating Disorders: A Parents' Guide

"The authors, both experienced in the field of psychiatric treatment of teens with eating disorders, make a cogent and compelling argument for greater involvement of parents in their children's care. In so doing, they serve to empower parents, marking a welcome departure from previous practice."--Iris F. Litt, MD, Adolescent Medicine Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine

"Truly excellent. An invaluable resource for parents. It provides sound, commonsense answers to all the most important questions. Written by experts--and it shows."--Christopher G Fairburn, DM, FRCPsych, author of Overcoming Binge Eating

"Finding appropriate treatment for our 15-year-old daughter has involved plenty of heartache, but this book provides information and empowerment that is helping us persevere. It offers a comprehensive account of the challenges of dealing with an adolescent's eating disorder--and what you can do to restore your child to a normal, healthy life. A 'must read' for parents!"--Mr. and Mrs. V., Naperville, Illinois

"Buy this book today, read it tonight, and tomorrow may be the first day of your child's recovery. With this groundbreaking book, parents can set aside guilt and helplessness and get on with the difficult but rewarding work of supporting their child toward healthy recovery."--Laura Collins, author of Eating With Your Anorexic


Book Description
Always harmful and potentially deadly, eating disorders can wreak havoc on families. Unfortunately, the same can often be said of their treatment: blaming parents for the illness, many eating disorder programs exclude parents and widen the rift in an already shattered family. This powerful and controversial book by top researchers James Lock and Daniel le Grange argues that parents are not the culprits but the key to their teen's recovery. Based on new research, Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder shows how parents can break the disorder's control over their child's mind and re-establish normal eating and family relations. The odds for full recovery drop precipitously if treatment is delayed. A radically important wake up call, this book urges parents to act now.

FROM THE PUBLISHER