Maintains that eating disorders serve a purpose in people's lives, and addresses the underlying factors - such as family background, pain and fear of responsibility - that contribute to eating disorders. The book is a practical and compassionate guide based on extensive personal experience.

'WHEN FOOD HIDES FEAR'

Those suffering from anorexia, bulimia or compulsive eating are often running from fear in their lives, maintains Helena Wilkinson. Pressure to achieve, emotional deprivation and fear of responsibilities that can lead to an eating disorder.

Writing from her own experience as an ex-anorexic and councellor, Helena Wilkinson explores the underlying contributory factors, including family background, sexuality struggles and emotional hunger, and provides guidelines for full recovery from chaotic eating. She outlines the various types of help available, including councelling, family and group theraphy, friendship and self-help, and offers insight and hope to sufferers, their families and carers and to professionals involved in eating disorder treatment.

'Helena Wilkinson'is Editor of 'Carer and Counsellor' and the author of two autobiographical books on eating disorders, and a consultant to Anorexia and Bulimia Care.