Hunger for Understanding

About the authors vii

Foreword ix

Acknowledgements xi

1 The purpose of the workbook 1

Who is Hunger for Understanding for? 2

Who can use Hunger for Understanding? 3

When and how should Hunger for Understanding be used? 3

Accessing the workbook electronically 4

Issues of confidentiality 5

2 Psychological interventions for anorexia nervosa and the role of psycho-education 7

Psychological interventions 8

Motivational-enhancement therapy (MET) 9

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) 10

Psycho-education in anorexia nervosa 11

The psychological symptoms of starvation 12

The cultural context of eating disorders 12

Set-point theory 12

The physical effects of starvation 13

3 Therapeutic challenges, skills and techniques 15

Challenges of work with people with anorexia nervosa 15

Physical issues 15

Psychological issues 16

Therapeutic skills and techniques 17

Externalisation 17

Instilling hope 17

Empathy 17

Developing emotional awareness 18

Rolling with resistance 18

Dealing with distress 18

Managing relapses 18

4 The contents of the workbook and guidelines for use 21

Section 1 What is anorexia nervosa? 21

Section 2 What causes anorexia? 22

Section 3 How does dieting affect us? 25

Section 4 How does anorexia affect you? 25

Section 5 What keeps anorexia going? 26

Section 6 The tricks anorexia plays 27

Section 7 Thinking about change 27

Section 8 Getting better 29

Section 9 Teamwork 30

Section 10 Becoming assertive 30

Section 11 Myths and questions about anorexia nervosa 31

Some good advice and messages of support 31

Ending the workbook 31

The Workbook 33

Useful contacts 161

References 163

Index 167