Bulimia

This book was written for practitioners working with bulimic clients and for clients themselves. Bulimia is presented as a multidimensional problem requiring a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment. An introductory chapter presents six treatment sessions with a bulimic client which provide an overview of the experiences and attitudes of the bulimic client. Chapter 1 calls bulimia an epidemic of the 1980s, defines bulimia, examines causes, and presents another 6-session case. Chapter 2 focuses on medical aspects of bulimia, again using case examples to illustrate points. In chapter 3, the role of individual differences is explored. Chapter 4 concentrates on the fanatical pursuit of thinness. Chapter 5 looks at dieting and depression and chapter 6 examines personality dynamics of bulimics. Chapters 7 and 8 look at early and later stages of treatment, respectively. Physical exercise as a component of treatment is explained in chapter 9 and chapter 10 focuses on group therapy. Family issues in therapy are addressed in chapter 11 which looks at family characteristics of enmeshed families and suggests family interventions. Recovery issues are considered in chapter 12. Chapter 13 focuses on the dietitian's role in the team treatment of bulimia and discusses issues of nutrition and health. Chapter 14 focuses on technical aspects of bulimia. References are included. Both a content and a name index are provided. (NB)