Anatomy of Anorexia [Hardcover]

Steven Levenkron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

This work offers information on how families can help their loved ones. Early diagnosis and treatment, and family participation are crucial in preventing anorexia from becoming a chronic condition and can save the life of the anorexic. Writing for those who suffer from anorexia as well as their parents, friends and therapists, Steven Levenkron traces the stages of the disorder from an innocent desire to "lose a few pounds" to the lethal stage of the disease where the life of the victim is at stake. He discusses the multiple origins of this disorder: childhood trauma, society's role in demoralizing girls and women by encouraging an obsession with body image, genetics and familial origins. Incldued are segments of therapy sessions followed by dicussions of what transpired betwen therapist and patient which reveal the benefit of the therapeutic relationship in treating anorexia. The book seeks to demystify a life-threatening disease, showing how the girls and women who are afflicted with anorexia can be helped - and can look forward to rich and productive lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to the author, a psychotherapist who has treated close to 300 anorexics and written widely in the field (Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa, etc.), this very serious mental illness, which chiefly afflicts teenage girls, has a recovery rate of only 25%-35%. Because current health care policies severely limit hospitalization for anorexia, Levenkron concentrates on the importance of detecting early symptoms. Drawing on case studies from his practice, he outlines the progressive physical and psychological stages that, if unchecked, lead inexorably to life-threatening weight loss. Reacting to a societal obsession with thinness, adolescent girls at first delight in the sense of achievement they feel after successfully dieting away a few pounds. For some, it can lead to a compulsion to lose even more weight by engaging in rigorous exercise programs and severely restricting calories. When those close to a girl express concern about her thinness, the anorexic typically responds by aggressively defending her behavior, often frightening her parents--who usually wish to avoid exacerbating the situation--into leaving her alone. The anorexic now considers her thin body a special accomplishment and resists all efforts to make her gain weight. In this clearly written and informative study, Levenkron reviews several treatment options, including individual, group and family psychotherapy, self-help groups and behavior modification, as well as medication and hospitalization when necessary, and emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to the complex and highly individualized needs of each anorexic. He recommends combining professional treatment with altering negative family dynamics when possible--even between divorced parents--and fostering an atmosphere of communication and trust. Agent, Olga Wieser. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Steven Levenkron has done it again. Once more he has taken a complex clinical entity and clearly explained what is known of its symptoms, etiologies, and treatment. His many years as a therapist, his obvious love for the work he does and his writing skills combine in a work that is fascinating, human, engaging and chock full of information that the reader painlessly assimilates. I heartily recommended it to patients, their families, their interested friends, and their therapists. -- Michael Kenin, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine

Steven Levenkron's exploration of identity and eating is invaluable to clinicians, parents, teenagers, and adults who are struggling with anorexia. Anatomy of Anorexia clarifies the basic nature of eating problems. -- Lynn E. Ponton, M.D.

The nation's premiere expert in treating anorexia has written the nation's premiere book for parents, relatives and friends of young women afflicted with this life-threatening disease. Steven Levenkron's Anatomy of Anorexia is a book full of hope and common sense for such young women and those who love them. -- Joseph A. Califano, President of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393048357
• ISBN-13: 978-0393048353
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,956,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Concise, Detailed, and Engaging, July 13, 2000

By 

Michael Armey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of Anorexia (Hardcover)

A wonderful book for those professionals beginning to work in the field, or those simply interested in knowing more about this complex disorder. Definately not a book for individuals currently battling Anorexia, Levenkron outlines major therapeutic crises and complications, and applies them to his own experiences with clients. The language is very plain and straightforward, but requires some knowledge of basic psychotherapy. An excellent book to add to your library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, comprehensive, and useful., April 17, 2002

By 

Rebecca (Salem, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of Anorexia (Paperback)

I've been teaching young adults on the college level for a couple of years now, and in that short amount of time, several of my female students have confided that they've struggled with eating disorders. This book helped me to understand what they went through, and it therefore has my unequivocal recommendation.

The strength of this book is that its author has written such a clear, easy-to-understand dissection the anatomy of anorexia. Levenkron analyzes factors contributing to anorexia; its effects on victims, their families, and friends; and several treatments. He uses explanations and case-study examples to demystify a disease that often seems inexplicable, making this a useful book for anyone who wants a clearer picture of anorexia.

Readers will come to understand the mental nature of anorexia as Levenkron does: as an obsessive-compulsive disorder. This concept is critical for family members and friends of anorexics to understand, for, as Levenkron states, it is impossible for anyone but a professional to cure an anorexic.

His major point: that the longer anorexia goes untreated, the more it strengthens its grasp on its victims, underscoring the need for *professional* help as early as possible. Therefore, if you think someone you know has an eating disorder, don't understand why, and don't know what to do about it, then this book is for you.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible insight, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Anatomy of Anorexia (Hardcover)

As a recovering anorexic, I found Dr. Levenkron's insight into this disease almost frighteningly accurate. He was not only right on with his descriptions of the stages of anorexia-- I couldn't stop nodding as I was reading-- but he managed to put words to things I've felt/am still feeling, but have been unable to verbalize. With his emphasis on listing the weights of his patients, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone not yet ready for recovery. But for family, friends and those fighting their way out of this disease, Anotomy of Anorexia is excellent.