Getting a daughter or son through an eating disorder can be challenging to say the least. 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.)
Few, if any, people expect their son or daughter to develop an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. Also, eating disorders are notoriously insidious illnesses; they can creep up slowly, almost undetected, over several months or even years. By the time families are aware that something is seriously wrong with their child, the illness can be deeply entrenched. And, once the penny drops, families are faced with the struggle of getting a diagnosis, referral and treatment whilst being forced to undergo a huge and often distressing learning curve.
In "When Anorexia Came To Visit" 20 families (21 if you include the author's own account which appears at the end of this new, updated edition of the book) have come together to describe their own experiences of getting their child through a serious eating disorder: boys as well as girls, from across the UK including England, Scotland and Wales, and across a wide age range from pre-teens to 20-somethings.
Not only do these 20 families want to help other parents understand this complex illness and demand prompt and effective treatment for their child - and learn that there is hope for a full recovery - they also want to provide healthcare professionals with a unique insight into what goes on, at home, beyond the confines of the consulting room as families battle with the eating disorder 24/7. Thus - in addition to parents and carers - this book is important, informative reading for everyone, from GPs and school or university medical teams to mental health practitioners and other professionals.
Of course with such a complex illness and widely differing personal circumstances, each story is different. Nonetheless there are overlaps that many families will identify with. By describing their experiences, these 20 brave families want to help others to identify the warning signs, get help and read about the tools, resources and coping strategies they found most helpful on the journey to recovery.
May these accounts offer other parents and carers the hope, strength and inspiration they need and deserve in the fight for full and sustained recovery for their daughter or son.
"Note: This book is not a medical reference, nor does it endorse any particular treatment method. For diagnosis and treatment of an eating disorder you should always consult a physician."

Bright, popular and a star on the rugby pitch, 15 year old Ben had everything he could want. But then food-loving Ben began to systematically starve himself. At the same time his urge to exercise became extreme. In a matter of months Ben lost one quarter of his bodyweight as he plunged into anorexia nervosa, an illness that threatened to destroy him.
"Please eat... A mother's struggle to free her teenage son from anorexia" is his mother's heart-breaking yet inspirational account of how she watched helplessly as her son transformed into someone she didn't recognise, physically and mentally. It also describes how, with the help of his parents and therapist, and through his own determination, Ben slowly began to recover and re-build his life.
Read the first 6 chapters free here: http: //www.anorexiaboy.co.uk/Please_Eat.pdf
""Cancel your plans for the day when you open this book: the riveting story will have you caring and cheering for a family that the world needs to meet. If only the world knew the truth told in this memoir " Laura Collins, Founder of F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) & Author of Eating with Your Anorexic"
""The world is slowly coming to realise that 'Boys Get Anorexia Too'. Bev Mattocks writes honestly and from the heart about helping her teenage son to overcome anorexia. Like ours, this is another success story of a family working together with friends, school and clinicians to beat this insidious illness. Many families will find great comfort from reading this story as well as much needed energy to fight the eating disorder." Jenny Langley, Author of Boys Get Anorexia Too"
""An essential read for anyone trying to understand more about eating disorders in teenage boys. Bev Mattocks describes the story of her son's anorexia but also provides insight for other families facing this complex illness in a world where anorexia is still associated with teenage girls. Totally recommended." Sam Thomas, Founder, Men Get Eating Disorders Too"
""A powerful, painful account, beautifully written... this book will benefit parents in reducing isolation and feeling more powerful when speaking with healthcare providers." Becky Henry, Founder of Hope Network, LLC & Award Winning Author of Just Tell Her To Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders"
""Bev Mattocks is doing such amazing work empowering other parents and helping to raise awareness that boys get eating disorders too." Leah Dean, Executive Director, F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)"
""This is a wonderful book. It's quite hard to read because the story is so painful, but easy to read because of the clarity and simplicity of style." Gill Todd, RMN MSc, former Clinical Nurse Leader at the Gerald Russell Eating Disorders Unit, Bethlem & Maudsley Hospitals, London"
""I have just finished Please eat... and it such a powerful page turner Bev Mattocks has captured the complexity of her family's journey so honestly, bravely and with such clarity of writing. It is a compelling read." Susan Ringwood, Chief Executive, BEAT"
""Please eat... is gut wrenching and touching. It captivated me and I could hardly breathe as I was reading it. I read the first 6 chapters in one sitting. Bev Mattocks has done such a great job of bringing her story to us in a vivid and personal way." Parent"