The Anorexia Workbook: How to Accept Yourself, Heal Your Suffering, and Reclaim Your Life

by Michelle Heffner, Steven C. Hayes, Georg H. Eifert

Statistics suggests that as many as 2.5 percent of American women suffer from anorexia; of these, further research indicates that one in ten of these will die from the disorder. This is the only book available that addresses the particular needs of anorexics with the techniques of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a revolutionary new psychotherapy. The authors of this book are pioneering researchers in the field of ACT, with numerous research articles to their credit Despite ever-widening media attention and public awareness of the problem, American women continue to suffer from anorexia nervosa in greater numbers than ever before. This severe psychophysiological condition-characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, a persistent unwillingness to eat, and severe compulsion to lose weight-is particularly difficult to treat, often because the victims are unwilling to seek help. The Anorexia Workbook demonstrates that efforts to control and stop anorexia may do more harm than good. Instead of focusing efforts on judging impulses associated with the disorder as 'bad' or 'negative, ' this approach encourages sufferers to mindfully observe these feelings without reacting to them in a self-destructive way. Guided by this more compassionate, more receptive frame of mind, the book coaches you to employ various acceptance-based coping strategies. Structured in a logical, step-by-step progression of exercises, the workbook first focuses on providing you with a new understanding of anorexia and the ways you might have already tried to control the problem. Then the book progresses through techniques that teach how to use mindfulness to deal with out-of-control thoughts and feelings, how to identify choices that lead to better heath and quality of life, and how to redirect the energy formerly spent on weight loss into actions that will heal the body and mind. Although this book is written specifically as self-help for anorexia sufferers, it includes a clear and informative chapter on when you need to seek professional treatment as well as advice on what to look for in a therapist.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572243627
• ISBN13: 9781572243620
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

Anorexia Workbook

This workbook has been such a big help in my struggle with anorexia. I am seeing a therapist and we are working through this book together chapter by chapter. I didn't think that any book could really help me, but this one did. It has given me strategies to take back control of my life. It truly has been a lifesaving book!

Helped me gain control and seek help

As someone with an "Eating Disorder Personality" I found myself in a difficult place before this book. I felt I couldn't talk to anyone because I wasn't fully anorexic but I knew that I was having thoughts. I found this book after skiping sevrel meals and i bought it . I can't tell you how much it helped me . It not only helped me with the way I was feeling but also to understand that I could talk to someone about it and not feel ashamed. I decided to see someone and helped me step away from the "edge" as I call it . It was really helpful to me and hopefully someone else out there. SO from someone who wasn't really an outsider but not really an Insider I recomend this to anyone who is dealing with an E.D. or cares for someone who is.

helpful

This book was helpful. It did not cure me. What it did do was help me realize that I didn't want to keep going in the path I was in. After having the eating disoder for many years and refusing help the entire time, thats actually an accomplishment. I would recommend this book to anyone who is on their last leg and not sure what to do.

A book of hope help and reassurance

Written in such a way that it helps people to understand how to overcome the addiction of anorexia and its hold on one's life. In doing that it makes it possible to change one's mindset instead of just covering up the layers.

Interesting and Helpful Book

This is a very practical book, and I would advice to read anyone who is involved with anorexia: patient or therapist. The one who suffers from anorexia will undestand the characteristics of the disorder and how to deal with it by herself. For the therapist this book will provide useful ideas based on the real life experience of the authors. This is a very compasionate book.