Overcoming Binge Eating [Paperback]

Christopher Fairburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 1995

Written by Dr. Christopher Fairburn, an international expert on eating disorders, this unique book provides clinicians, sufferers, and interested others with an authoritative and accessible account on binge eating problems.
Overcoming Binge Eating provides all the information needed to understand the problem and bring it under control. Dispelling many of the myths associated with binge eating, Part One provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of current knowledge about binge eating problems. Chapters address such issues as:

* Who binges and why
* How binge eating differs from everyday overeating
* Whether binge eating is an addiction
* How binge eating affects people emotionally and physically
* Ways those who binge can gain control

Part Two of the book is a new self-help program based on the most effective strategies for binge eating problems. Designed to be used on its own or in conjuction with therapy, the program provides step-by-step guidance for:

* Overcoming the urge to binge
* Gaining control of eating behavior
* Reducing the risk of relapse
* Establishing stable, healthy eating habits

Presenting the most up-to-date information, as well as an effective program for treating those who binge eat, this book will be used by clinicians both as a comprehensive reference and as recommended reading for clients. Offering inspiration and insight, this book will help your clients empower themselves to deal with their binge eating problems, as well as the shame and isolation that characterize them.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Christopher Fairburn is one of the world's foremost authorities on problem eating. Because he is one of those rare individuals who understands and can work with people, but is also a top-flight researcher, his book offers state-of-the-art, helpful information, written in a caring way. You can trust this book. It is a landmark in the field. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From The New Yorker

An urgently needed source of information, this authoritative book presents the facts about binge eating and offers concrete solutions to help overcome it. This book is a must read for binge eaters and their families. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Reissue edition (March 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898621798
• ISBN-13: 978-0898621792
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Drug Dependency
  • #25 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Eating Disorders
  • #36 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

273 of 280 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Godsend---Fairburn's approach actually works!, May 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Binge Eating (Paperback)

As a binge eater since high school, I've tried many diets, starting over 30 yrs ago in college with the Scarsdale Diet. Later tried Atkins, the Zone, Ornish, not to mention the grapefruit, ice cream, and peanut butter diets and many others. I ordered diet pills from TV and spent untold hours in therapy trying to understand the "why" behind my binge eating. Some strategies helped me lose weight temporarily, but the pounds kept coming back--and the binging never really stopped.

The older I got, the harder it was to get back to a healthy weight. A couple of years ago, I had significant success with the Weight Watcher program--got to my goal weight relatively quickly, but even while on the program I was binging, though on lower-fat foods. Eventually the binges became more frequent, I went back to old favorites, and my weight began creeping up. I like the WW program but have become convinced that my ability to maintain a healthy and stable weight in the long run depends on reducing my binge eating. Since WW doesn't provide much insight/help with binging per se, I started looking for other sources and found this book. It's been a godsend.

The background information is clearly presented and helpful. Fairburn's analysis of the relationship between dieting and binge eating is especially interesting--a must read for anyone who has tried dieting as a means of controlling binge-induced weight gains. The step-by-step process for reducing binge eating and establishing a healthier attitude toward food and body weight is grounded in solid research--and it works. I could understand the rationale behind the approach Fairburn recommends, was making progress in only a few weeks, and achieved a signficant reduction in binge eating soon after. For years I thought the only way to avoid a binge was never to let myself eat the first bite of my favorite binge foods, but now I'm able to eat even those foods in moderation.

I know this review is long and sounds like a magazine ad for the latest diet pill. To others out there like me: Fairburn knows what he's talking about. He understands our problem and has developed a reasonable and realistic plan for solving it. This book helped me reduce my binge eating like no other I've ever read. Thank you Dr. Fairburn.

108 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Aunt Died from this disease but I don't have to....., May 22, 2004

By 

L. Griggs (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Overcoming Binge Eating (Paperback)

One year ago, I purchased this book out of pure desperation. I got a real scare when my Aunt died suddenly from complications of Binge Eating Disorder.I had the same problem and was going downhill fast. This book saved me from trying and failing at yet another diet. No matter how "healthy" the diets were that I've tried to control my binge-eating and resulting obesity, nothing worked. Not only did they not work, they were making me sicker both physically and emotionally. I'm a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and only way I every got to my "goal" weight was by starving more than bingeing.

Diets for me are like putting a bandaid over a gunshot wound. Under the bandaid is a oozing infected emotional wound that no diet or foodplan can ever fix. Dr. Christopher Fairburn not only understands the reasoning behind this, he tells you what you can do to help yourself recovery from this devastating disease. Dr. Fairburn even understands that many Overeaters Anonymous groups have misguided ideas of abstinence that are really no better (and perhaps even worse) than dieting.

This book is mostly directed for bulimics and binge-eaters. It could help anorexics but there are probably better books that devote more to anorexics directly.

Two things about me that have radically changed since I read this book: #1)My goal weight is now a healthy and realistic weight #2)I've lost a significant amount of weight without bingeing or starving.

This book has profoundly changed my life!

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essentail for anyone suffering from bulemia, March 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Binge Eating (Paperback)

I used Dr. Fairburn's step by step treatment plan to normalize my eating and stop my bulemia. I have gained control of my life and refer to his book often for reinforcement of its principles and to continue assisting me with my recovery. He provides a clear and comprehensive rational behind each step in treatment, making you feel very confident in his techniques and approaches. If you have a sincere desire to become healthy and well, buy this book, it will be the best thing you could do for yourself.