Resources
This is a list of resources that I’ve found useful and hope you will too. They are not intended as replacement for evidence-based treatment and, if you are worried about your health, you should always consult a doctor.
The No Nonsense Guide for People Who Think They Might Have an Eating Disorder
This is a straightforward guide for people who think they may have a problem, written by someone who has recovered. It explains the possible biological origins of anorexia nervosa and what’s needed for recovery to happen. It includes practical tips and, best of all, there is no judgement and no attempt to explain in psychological terms why an eating disorder might develop. Highly recommended and a great starting point for someone looking to recover. Update: B, AKA the No-Nonsense Guide Guy, has recently become a regular and valued contributor to this site. You can find his contributions here.
By far the most helpful recovery resources I’ve found are by Tabitha Farrar, a British woman who figured out how to recover from anorexia nervosa through trial and error and help from an online forum. Tabitha’s honesty is refreshing. Her book, Rehabilite, Rewire, Recover! is a comprehensive recovery tool with loads of practical tips and helpful advice. And if you don’t believe me, read all the five-star reviews!
Tabitha also has a podcast, The Eating Discovery Recovery Podcast, which can be found wherever you get your podcasts. She has some brilliant guests, from dieticians to therapists to scientists, and the conversation is always engaging and enlightening. She also has a YouTube channel and a blog.
And if you love someone with an eating disorder, I’d really recommend Tabitha’s memoir, Love Fat, which offers great insight into what it’s like to live with an eating disorder — and is just a cracking read.
F.E.A.S.T. has a wonderful forum for parents and carers where you can chat with others who understand what you’re going through, and lots of useful information on all things eating disorder related.
If you want to learn about the science behind eating disorders, Carrie Arnold’s Decoding Anorexia is a great place to start. Carrie recovered from anorexia nervosa and writes with great clarity, even when the science gets complex. Please note that this book was written in 2012 and there have been some major discoveries since. Time for an update, Carrie?
Eva Musby has some great advice and a book aimed at carers of people with eating disorders. She has personally offered some really helpful advice to our family and I am very grateful to her.
The UK charity Beat has a useful guide to give to your doctor with information about eating disorders.
Emily Troscianko, who recovered from anorexia after many years with the illness, has a site called the Hunger Artist which is packed with useful information for those looking to recover. Emily was another person who was very kind to me in the early months of my daughter’s illness, writing long and helpful emails. She is also the person who first alerted me to the idea of ‘overshoot’ — temporarily going beyond your original weight to allow the body and brain to fully repair — which made total sense to me and still does.
If you suspect a loved one with an eating disorder has anosognosia, it is worth having a look at the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia. It offers training for families and professionals who are trying to help people who have lack of insight into their illness. Also see this book on the same topic: I am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help by Xavier Amador.
I will add to this list as soon as I discover more. Let me know if you have any suggestions.