Sprinkled with over 100 quotes from recovering individuals, Why She Feels Fat explores eating disorders from the inside out to convey the emotional experience and perspectives of those who have them. Decoding the deeper meaning of the statement “I feel fat” is at the heart of this simple and straightforward book that also includes basic information, such as signs, symptoms, medical complications, causes, approaches to treatment, and stages of recovery.

CONTENTS:

Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I – UNDERSTANDING THEIR WORLD
1 – The Basics of Eating Disorders
2 – The Causes of Eating Disorders
3 – Beyond the Symptoms

PART II – HEARING THEIR WORDS
4 – Understanding Anorexia
5 – Understanding Bulimia

PART III – SUPPORTING THEIR RECOVERY
6 – Treatments for Eating Disorders
7 – The Phases of Recovery
8- Supporting Her Recovery
Helpful Organizations

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Johanna Marie McShane, PhD, has been working in the field of eating disorders treatment for eighteen years. After working at an inpatient facility for many years, she went into private practice in 1994, working with adolescents and adults who have eating disorders, their families and significant others. She is co-developer of the Diablo Valley Family Centered Model, a psychotherapeutic treatment model for working with families in which there is an eating disorder or related issue.

In addition to working directly with patients, Dr. McShane leads seminars for professionals and facilitates workshops for people who suffer from eating disorders. She has spoken extensively about causes and treatment of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders, and regularly provides consultation for clinics, hospitals and private practitioners. She has published in Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, Eating Disorders Today, The Journal of Trauma and Dissociation (in press), and other publications, and has made numerous television and radio appearances speaking about eating disorders.

Tony Paulson, PhD, Holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work, both from Sacramento State University. He earned his doctorate at Saybrook Graduate School, where he received the Charles Thuss Award for exceptional writing and research, based on his work in eating disorders.

More than 17 years ago, he began treating people suffering from anorexia and bulimia nervosa. After developing a passion for this population, he committed himself to providing compassionate, effective treatment, and to increase patient and family understanding of these diseases. Dr. Paulson currently serves as Clinical Director for Summit Eating Disorders Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program and Day Treatment Program serving Northern California. Dr. Paulson lectures extensively on the topic of eating disorders on state and national levels.

REVIEWS:

“In Why She Feels Fat, McShane and Paulson give parents the all-important perspective of their suffering child—this book explains the incomprehensible. When read with an open mind and heart, it brings to friends and family alike much needed understanding and guidance.”
—Doris Smeltzer, MA, MFTI, author, Andrea’s Voice: Silenced by Bulimia

“Like never before, this book takes the reader into the mind of someone with an eating disorder and explains the unexplainable. Combining personal insights from sufferers with clinical expertise, the authors provide step-by-step guidance for maneuvering the long and winding path from illness to full recovery. Why She Feels Fat is an essential resource for all families and friends.”
—Jenni Schaefer, author, Life Without Ed

“With the plethora of books on eating disorders these days, few are dedicated to the loved ones of those suffering from these illnesses. Why She Feels Fat is a welcomed addition to the field…From understanding medical issues to grasping why a person with anorexia says they feel fat, this book will help guide those lost in the quagmire that dealing with someone else's eating disorder inevitably brings.”
—Carolyn Costin, Director, Monte Nido Treatment Center; author, The Eating Disorder Sourcebook

“Why She Feels Fat provides an inside view of the intense struggle and emotions behind an eating disorder...we look forward to adding Why She Feels Fat to our patient library.”
—Martha Peaslee Levine, MD & Richard Levine, MD, Eating Disorders Program Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

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