Skills-based Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: The New Maudsley Method

by Janet Treasure, Gráinne Smith, Anna Crane

Skills-based Caring equips carers with the skills and knowledge needed to support those suffering from an eating disorder, and to help them to break free from the traps that prevent recovery. Through a coordinated approach, it offers detailed techniques and strategies, which aim to improve professionals' and carers' ability to build continuity of support for their loved ones. Using evidence-based research and personal experience, the authors advise the reader on a number of difficult areas in caring for someone with an eating disorder. This new and updated edition is essential reading for both professionals and families involved in the care and support of anyone with an eating disorder.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Parenting

Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2007

Reviews

[Charlotte Bevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For us as a family, we used many skills from this book to help our daughter recover. We are not a natural family of dolphins but learnt how to be in the face of an eating disorder.

I also went on a training day with Gill Todd, which transformed my life, at the Maudsley.

Professor Treasure is one of the top clinicians in the world and shares her (and her team's) skill and experience - what works and what doesn't with generosity.

There are films that go with this book - some are on C&MED on You Tube, others are videos sponsored by the Succeed Foundation.

Strongly recommended as an adjunct to refeeding an eating disorder patient and as a help for the whole family.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent resource for those who know someone suffering from an eating disorder. The book is written by the clinically-minded, and hence can be technical at points, but it is written with a general audience in mind and is generally not too hard to understand. The authors cover a fair amount of ground, from the explanation of what an eating disorder is and what the risks of it entail to strategies for living with someone suffering from an ED and being a part of the solution. The authors do repeat themselves a fair amount from section to section, although they seem to throw around a fair number of acronyms in the process. Their advice is helpful, but it really does seem to call the reader out to near-perfection, as straying very far to the left or the right of the path they lay out can be downright counterproductive. The book is not really designed with the person suffering from the ED in mind so much as those who might live with him or her, especially parents. It does have brief sections on spouses and siblings. The book covers a range of EDs, so not all of the points are equally applicable in every case. The authors are based in the UK, so a few of the fine points are more oriented to British institutions and laws, but the concepts they cover are universal.
For more of a self-help guide, I would recommend 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Experience, whereas Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too provides an easier-reading motivational piece. Still, if you know someone suffering from an ED, I'm not aware of a better resource.

[BVC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buono per parenti/genitori e amici di merda.

[Techiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a concise book to build practical skills to walk along someone with an eating disorder, this is one of the best I have read. It uses imagery to deal with tough concepts and it is a very good introduction to motivational interviewing. I'm not convinced that all the skills presented could be used for early teen suffers. All in all it is a great book.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was advised to read this book in order to help me to communicate more effectively with my family. These are life-skills that can be applied to any situation and not just an eating disorder.
Please can this important, life-changeing book be made into an audiobook?

[Caitlin]

read for work

[G3DDU · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wish is that no one has to read this book but it has been an immensely helpful guide.

[Alice inthe Eve · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book generically creates a character called "Edi" to encompass the person written about with an Eating Disorder. This title, "Edi" is at every turn and frankly, is such a distraction, I cannot get through a sentence everytime it is mentioned..which is ALOT. There is no flow to the text with this choice.
Often, the name "Ed" becomes the thing to describe the part of a person that is their eating disorder, to be distinguished as an ancillary part. Now this book fails to see that the primary thing you must do is precisely, realise that the latter point works very well and so naming the "character" Edi, is a) too close to a different meaning. b) is completely unoriginal c) does not flow within the content and d) does not separate the person from this part that has come into play. The title of the character should not be an acronym for anything like an "ED".

Additionally, this book is meant to guide carers, so that they are educated by specialists and not having to wing it by themselves which can often be harder without guidance, but get this line..." I realise you are the only person who can DECIDE to stop bingeing or not...I'd like to help in any way I can".
I will tell you right now, these authors have lost the plot if they think it is a choice. LOST THE PLOT.
For these authors to suggest that a parent say this, just invites a harsher eating disorder experience for their "loved one". DO NOT, DO NOT, REPEAT SUCH A PATHETIC CONCEPT.

FAIL FAIL FAIL

If you want to help a person with an Eating Disorder, ask them kindly, what is stressing them and help them work out solutions. Eating disorder literature is either "sicklit", that's sick literature and is wallowing rubbish that needs to be kept in a private diary, or it is by self proclaimed specialists.

It's about time, people changed the way they look at and document ED "treatment"

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely cannot recommend this book enough to people who are caring for loved ones, friends, or family with an eating disorder! I've done a lot of reading on the subject in an attempt to both gain an understanding of ED and learn how to cope with it as a caregiver and supporter. Most texts offer recovery insights for the ED victim only, and very limited advice for those looking after them during the recovery (and relapse) stages. This book answered so many questions, gave so much practical advice, and really motivated me to take the time for introspection, be honest, and improve on my own coping mechanisms so I can better help my friend. There's no text more indispensable than this one.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for work having recently joined Beat (the UK's leading eating disorder charity). It was educational and informative, yet still accessible and understandable for someone who is newer to the field of eating disorders. The book also describes lots of tangible examples, roleplay scenerios and resources that are very helpful to understand how to best support someone with an eating disorder.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of helpful advice that anyone can implement. If you have a loved one who suffers from an eating disorder, this book will help you navigate the many challenges you'll face as you coach them on the road to recovery.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource for parents of young people with eating disorders. I feel this would be particularly applicable for parents of older adolescents or young adults. Valuable practical solutions to common challenging situations.

[AT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invaluable read for carers of anyone with an eating disorder. Helps the carer to analyse how they communicate with their loved one and how they can better support them. I really recommend this most helpful book.

[Mekenna Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to understand manual which provides relatable information and techniques on how to care for a loved with an eating disorder. Using the Maudsley Method it is easy to resonate with the various animal character responses that’s caregivers have to an eating disorder.

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential text for anyone caring for or close to an eating disordered individual.

[Fran Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written similar to a textbook. Great book for those walking with someone through an Eating disorder. Practical.

[Marisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's is an absolute great book. It helps you to understand the illness and gives you very good advice with useful verbal examples to use in encouraging, supportive and recovery process.