Can I Tell You about Eating Disorders? : A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals

Part of the Reading Well scheme. 35 books selected by young people and health professionals to provide 13 to 18 year olds with high-quality support, information and advice about common mental health issues and related conditions.

Meet Alice - a teenage girl with anorexia nervosa. Alice invites readers to learn about anorexia nervosa and how it makes her see herself differently from how other people see her. She also introduces readers to Beth who has bulimia nervosa, Sam who has selective eating problems, Francesca who has functional dysphagia and Freddie who has food avoidance emotional disorder. They all explain why they find food difficult and how their eating disorders are different.

This illustrated book is an ideal introduction to understanding the complex issues surrounding eating disorders. It shows family, friends and teachers how they can support a young person with an eating disorder and will also be a good place to start when encouraging open conversations about eating disorders at school or at home.

Professor Bryan Lask was Emeritus Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at St George's, University of London, UK, Medical Director at Rhodes Farm, Care UK, and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

Lucy Watson is an Assistant Psychologist at the Michael Rutter Centre, Maudsley Hospital. She is the Editorial Assistant for the journal Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research & Practice.