The Psychology of Eating Disorders

This book primarily benefits those who do not know a lot about eating disorders or who have not had any formal education with respect to the complexities of these disorders. This book is organized into several parts designed to address different aspects of eating disorders. The part I describes what eating disorders are and who develops them, including a brief history as well as signs and symptoms of the disorders, and who is likely or less likely to develop an eating disorder. Part II of the book describes factors that can be considered risk factors, co-occurring factors, or consequences of having an eating disorder. These factors are discussed in terms of whether they are biological or medical, psychological, interpersonal, or sociocultural in nature. The part III guides the reader through how to identify those who might be at risk for developing an eating disorder and how to effectively refer someone for an evaluation. This section includes a discussion of what types of professionals should be part of treating someone with an eating disorder and important sources of support who should be involved in the treatment process or kept informed about how treatment is progressing. The part IV describes prevention and treatment efforts commonly used and a brief overview of their effectiveness. It also includes a chapter on identifying and managing one's own emotional reactions to someone with an eating disorder. Finally, the book concludes with several scenarios designed to illustrate for the reader what an eating disorder might "look like" in the real world and what initial treatment efforts might entail.