When anorexia came to visit: Families talk about how an eating disorder invaded their lives

Getting your child through an eating disorder is one of the toughest things you will do as a parent. In When Anorexia Came To Visit 20 families from across the UK talk frankly to Bev Mattocks (Please eat... A Mother's Struggle To Free Her Teenage Son From Anorexia) about the effect that anorexia had on their lives. With a Foreword by Professor Janet Treasure, OBE PhD FRCP FRCPsych Myths and misconceptions about the nature and causes of eating disorders are still endemic. Thankfully, understanding of these complex and life-threatening illnesses is increasing as new and more effective evidence-based treatments are being developed. Across the world, enlightened healthcare professionals are coming to realise that a collaborative approach between professionals and families can result in a better outcome for the patient. 'When Anorexia Came To Visit' describes the experiences of 20 families from across the UK who have undergone treatment for eating disorders, families of boys as well as girls, and of young teenagers through to the post 18s. Bev Mattocks has gathered together these 20 stories because she, and the book’s contributors, do not want other families to suffer and fight alone. The families described in this book want to offer hope to others by showing what worked (and what was less successful) in their individual circumstances. All of the contributors to this book hope that other families may be able to draw inspiration from these accounts and feel empowered when approaching their treatment providers. The other purpose of this book is to show healthcare professionals what goes on at home, beyond the confines of the consulting room. And, as parents who are living with this illness on the front line for many, many exhausting hours a week, all the families that have contributed look forward to the day when it will be accepted practice for parents to be recognised as a vital part of the treatment team. Within the pages of 'When Anorexia Came To Visit' you will read many positive and inspirational stories of hope - of excellent GPs and healthcare professionals working with parents to get the child well. But you will also read stories where families have battled with, and in some cases are still battling with, inadequate services and treatment, especially evident once a child reaches the age of 18 and no longer qualifies for adolescent services. These families hope that, with multiple books like this one, the tide will shift and outdated theories will finally be put to rest - and that funds will be spent on ensuring people have access to high quality treatment wherever they live, and to get these most deadly of all mental illnesses the research, recognition and understanding that is needed. Most important of all, these families want to offer other families hope and inspiration; to show that, with the right treatment, knowledge and support, eating disorders can be overcome, and that a full and sustained recovery is possible.