Increasing numbers of people have a problem with eating disorders and poor body image. Anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating all bring their own distressing social and health problems, while a distorted body image can result in a severely restricted life. In this book, Christine Craggs-Hinton explains clearly the social pressures behind the need to be an ideal shape, and how we can fight back. She also examines why some people see themselves as overweight or ugly although they are normal, healthy, and the right body weight and size for their sex, age and build. Topics covered include: - the role of the media in creating unrealistic portraits of how we should look - the importance of self-esteem, and how to boost it - body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and its link with media influence - alcoholism: also a problem of low self-esteem - and its link with eating disorders - tackling negative thoughts - dealing with anxiety, and how to relax - practical exercises to get back to a healthy relationship with food Recovery from eating disorders and poor body image is possible, so start today!

""I wish to be the thinnest girl at school, or maybe even the thinnest eleven-year-old on the entire planet,"" confides Lori Gottlieb to her diary. "I mean, what are girls supposed to wish for, other than being thin?"
For a girl growing up in Beverly Hills in 1978, the motto "You can never be too rich or too thin" is writ large. Precocious Lori learns her lessons well, so when she's told that "real women don't eat dessert" and "no one could ever like a girl who has thunder thighs," she decides to become a paragon of dieting. Soon Lori has become the "stick figure" she's longed to resemble. But then what? "Stick Figure" takes the reader on a gripping journey, as Lori struggles to reclaim both her body and her spirit.
By turns painful and wry, Lori's efforts to reconcile the conflicting messages society sends women ring as true today as when she first recorded these impressions. "One diet book says that if you drink three full glasses of water one hour before every meal to fill yourself up, you'll lose a pound a day. Another book says that once you start losing weight, everyone will ask, 'How did you do it?' but you shouldn't tell them because it's 'your little secret.' Then right above that part it says, "'New York Times" bestseller.' Some secret."
With an edgy wit and keenly observant eye, "Stick Figure" delivers an engrossing glimpse into the mind of a girl in transition to adulthood. This raw, no-holds-barred account is a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of living up to society's expectations.

The first of its kind, this edited volume provides in-depth, culturally sensitive material intended for addressing the unique concerns of Black women with eating disorders in addition to comprehensive discussions and treatment guidelines for this population. The contributing authors-all of whom are Black professionals providing direct care to Black women-offer a range of perspectives to help readers understand the whole experience of their Black female clients. This includes not only discussion of their clients' physical health but also of their emotional lives and the ways in which the stresses of racism, discrimination, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences can contribute to disordered eating. Through a wealth of diverse voices and stories, chapters boldly tackle issues such as stereotypes and acculturative stress. Clinicians of any race will gain new tools for assessing, diagnosing, and treating disordered eating in Black women and will be empowered to provide better care for their clients.