337 pg, paper, ‘02

Those suffering from an eating disorder often ask themselves in despair, "How can I ever stop?" While many books describe the descent into eating disorders and the resulting emotional and physical damage, this book describes recovery.

Psychologist Sheila M. Reindl has listened intently to women's accounts over the years. Reindl argues that women with bulimia nervosa avoid turning their attention inward to consult their needs, desires, feelings, and aggressive strivings. These women fear they will encounter an annihilating sense of shame. To recover, bulimic women need to develop a sense of self. They also need to know that neediness, desire, pain, and aggression are not sources of shame to be kept hidden, but essential aspects of humanity necessary for zestful life.

CONTENTS:

1 – Coming to Their Senses
2 – Sensing When Enough is Enough
3 – Physical, Psychic, and Social Experience
4 – Beauty and the Beast
5 – Learning to Sense Self–Experience
6 – Sensing Self through Relationship
7 – Sustaining Recovery
8 – Implications

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sheila M. Reindl is a psychologist at Harvard University's Bureau of Study Counsel and has a private practice of psychotherapy in Cambridge.