Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

When an eating disorder (ED) is involved, the problems caused by miscommunication can have serious consequences. A remark from a parent that is intended as positive encouragement could act as a trigger and a criticism from someone with an ED might really be a cry for help.

This book aims to improve communication between someone with an eating disorder and their friends and family by revealing the eating disorder mind set and decoding language choices. Using examples of real-life, everyday conversations, ED says U said translates the highly charged language of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and unravels the emotional chaos that can surround sufferers and those who care for them. It provides clear examples of the common pitfalls and gives invaluable advice about how to help in defusing the triggers and regaining the personality swamped by the illness.

A unique resource of information on EDs, this book will be essential reading for everyone who has been affected by eating disorders: sufferers, carers, family and friends, together with health care professionals treating people with eating disorders.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. 11)
• Acknowledgements (p. 15)
• 1 Introduction (p. 17)
• Part 1 Setting the Scene
• 2 'Ed' the Eating Disorder (p. 24)
• Part 2 Early Signs and Symptom
• 3 Behaviour (p. 32)
• 4 Food (p. 43)
• 5 Relationships (p. 54)
• 6 Sense of Self (p. 65)
• Part 3 Treatment
• 7 Look Out for the Triggers (p. 80)
• 8 Behaviour (p. 92)
• 9 Food (p. 102)
• 10 Relationships (p. 116)
• 11 Sense of Self (p. 135)
• Part 4 Recovery
• 12 Behaviour (p. 154)
• 13 Food (p. 170)
• 14 Relationships (p. 177)
• 15 Sense of Self (p. 185)
• Part 5 From Recovery to Recovered
• 16 Aim for a Full Life ù You Deserve It (p. 194)
• 17 Bulimia and EDNOS (p. 200)
• 18 Binge Eating Disorder (p. 210)
• 19 Anorexia (p. 218)
• 20 Anorexia and Bulimia (p. 222)
• 21 Who Am I Without Ed? (p. 231)
• Part 6 Carers, Families and Friends
• 22 Looking Out for Ed (p. 238)
• 23 Helping the Recovery Process (p. 247)
• Part 7 Myths and Truths
• 24 Focus on the Facts (p. 258)
• Appendix: Eating Disorder Advocacy and Support Organizations (p. 275)
• Afterword (p. 279)
• Index (p. 282)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Both writers and women who have struggled with eating disorders (ED), Alexander and Sangster draw from their combined years of personal experience and the stories of contributors to describe the internal dialog of negative, destructive thoughts that ED sufferers commonly experience. They provide examples of both clinical and conversational exchanges, written in the vernacular of social media, to shed light on the communication pitfalls encountered by well-meaning friends and family who don't realize their words can be misinterpreted or even provocative to sufferers who speak a different language. Although this easy-to-read book does an excellent job as a comprehensive resource and offers clear-cut explanations for a complex mental illness, its focus is less on the cultural aspects of the disorder than, for example, Mary Pipher's Reviving Ophelia. Rather, it focuses on understanding the eating disorder "voice," thus improving communication and breaking down barriers to recovery. Verdict Included tips from survivors of the disorder are especially insightful and helpful. Families and friends affected by eating disorders should benefit from this book.-Linda Petty, Wimberley, TX (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

June Alexander is an Australian writer and former journalist, columnist and newspaper editor. At the age of 11, she developed anorexia nervosa, followed by bulimia, and recovered four decades later. June is now a prominent eating disorder awareness writer and campaigner, Ed says U said is her fourth book on eating disorders. June lives in Victoria, Australia. For more information about her work, visit www.junealezander.com. Cate Sangster is a health and physical education teacher. She has a background in neuroanatomy, publishing and freelance writing and has had work published in international scientific journals. She is recovering from a 20-year battle with an eating disorder and writes a blog. See keepcatebusy.blogspot.com. Cate lives in Victoria, Australia.