Anatomy of Anorexia

by Steven Levenkron

"Invaluable to clinicians, parents, teenagers, and adults who are struggling with anorexia." ―Lynn E. Ponton, M.D. Anatomy of Anorexia is a tremendous tool for families: now more than ever, early diagnosis and treatment, and family participation, are crucial in helping the anorexic. Preeminent therapist Steven Levenkron demystifies this life-threatening disease and shows how the millions of girls and women who are afflicted with anorexia can be helped―and can look forward to rich and productive lives. "The nation’s premier expert in treating anorexia has written the nation’s premier book for parents, relatives, and friends of young women afflicted with this life-threatening disease."―Joseph A. Califano Jr., president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare "[Levenkron’s] insights, descriptions of family relationships, and treatment recommendations for therapists create a rich, deep, and most helpful guide for a community of people whose lives are deeply and painfully affected by this persistent illness."―Samuel C. Klagsbrun, M.D.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Research

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

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I kept thinking about museums when I was reading this book. These bodies were strange enough for exhibition. And why stop there. Their mind are a mystery of function. But I do not intend to have a stab at the wounded, since I was nearly one of them myself. It's a silent disease, yet it boils the pot over in indignation. Unless you were embarking on this malicious mind over matter at the behest of a clique, friend, or worse, a family member.
Thou shalt refrain from a Carrie reference.
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Hey, 'A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a crushed spirit drieth the bones.'
But it was unnerving how easy it was to listen to the general public. Perhaps that is not entirely fair to glop together the masses. But when it comes to the idea of true health, we might just be lost. Well, perhaps not.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyl...

[Kiersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I ever read on Anorexia-definitely worthwhile for anyone looking for information.

[Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I struggled to get through this, but when he brought up woman wearing a mini skirt "asking for sexual harassment" I lost all respect. He bought up some interesting observations, but constantly introducing patients by their height and weight to tell the reader how severe the case was to him was also off putting. Along with some other things that didn't age well, this book needs to be left in the past.

[Alexis Wickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. It really helped me understand anorexia better with it's example stories. It shows how anorexia does not fit just one person. Someone could develop it for a numerous amount of reasons. I'm not a big non-fiction reader, but I would recommend to someone looking to understand anorexia better.

[Marga Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Paternalista y con sesgos de género muy descarados. Viene a ser, como es de costumbre con el tema de la anorexia, otra lectura misógina más.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This doctor has the most powerful god complex. 😐... see now I'm the doctor muah hah hah

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a good friend of mine told us that she was anorexic, I had the reaction most people do to the news- disbelief, followed by the nagging question- why?. Levonkron dissects the disorder in an accessible way, explaining that there are larger forces at work beyond simple self esteem issues.

At times, this book is disheartening, though appropriately so given anorexia's low recovery rate. At the same time, while Levonkron is good at tearing apart the disorder and singling out the underlying causes, he's rather pessimistic about finding ways to tackle the disorder. He is very centered on his own methods- probably something fairly common in the psychological world- and I don't feel like he gave alternative therapies much consideration.

I would recommend this book to virtually anyone, especially those who have had or know someone with an eating disorder. This book articulates things that aren't easy for victims or their loved ones to come up with on their own, and that in itself can help a great deal on the road to recovery.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Levenkron probably understands eating disorders better than most clinicians out there (which really isn't saying much, but I mean this as a compliment). There is a lot of very accurate insight into anorexia to be found here, but I cannot give this book more than 3 stars because SL's avuncular tone just drives me nuts. He seems to reduce all patients to needy little girls, and he is the big bear of the doctor/daddy/savior come to save them. Nevertheless, if you can bear the author, there is a lot of good information to get out of this book. And if you are a parent of an anorexic, wooh-ey, you are in for a kick in the arse!

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Levenkron has decades of experience as a psychotherapist dealing with patients with anorexia. He writes with authority and compassion making the whole subject both accessible and moving. As I'm currently writing about the whole subject of body image myself I found the book valuable, but so well does he illuminate the pathology, psychology and sociology of the illness, I also overly identified with the negative aspects and found myself feeling very low in spirit and troubled. But I guess that's the measure of how good the book is: we probably all need to sympathise more with these families.

[Owlseyes]

"In one of Levenkron's most recent books, Anatomy of Anorexia, the author boasts of his above-average recovery rate in working with those suffering from eating disorders. "In the last 20 years I have treated nearly 300 anorexics," he wrote. "I am pleased to state that I have had a 90 per cent recovery rate, though tragically, one fatality." That was Karen Carpenter".

in:http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010...

and:
The Carpenters - Rainy Days And Mondays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPmbT...

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Levenkron's book on cutting a lot more. He seemed so smug when he was discussing the success he had with his patients. I would have liked to hear some stories about surviors or victims who did not survive. He gave the impresssion that he has/had a 100% success rate with all he treated. But I do have to say, I did learn a lot about treating victims of anorexia and his book is one I will refer to once I start seeing clients privately.

[Selkie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book deals too much with the cliches of anorexia to be of much interest. Of the case studies presented, only one male example was provided. In his case he had stopped eating due to a digestive disturbance he had been suffering from, & not any conscious desire to stop eating. The other case studies fell under the perfectionists, &/or incest victims.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seemed pretty outdated -- as I started reading it I was under the impression that it was written in the 70's, but after flipping to the front cover, it's from 2001. I would have liked more personal stories and less textbook from it, or more depth from the personal stories.

[brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite non-fiction eating disorder books...one of the first of its kind, and very informative.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would classify this book as psychological voyeurism. I felt the case histories were chosen not for edification, but for titillation. I agree with others who noted that the book feels dated.

[Tfalcone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much new.

[~Akweley♡Mazarae♥~★☆★oblivion★☆★~I CAN'T BREATHE~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finally finished is book. It was extremely interesting and informative, and gave me an insight on this disease and the effects of it. I recommend it if you want to learn more.

[MarylineD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I love Steven Levenkron and have read all his books!
Based on his research, his experience, his patients... a psychotherapist who cares about people for real and wants to help!

[Annabel Smyth]

Haven't completely finished yet...