My Kid is Back

June Alexander is a diarist, author, life-writing mentor, and ardent eating disorder advocate. Anorexia nervosa has shaped June’s life and writing career. Her PhD explores diary writing as a self-help tool in eating disorder recovery.Daniel Le Grange, PhD, holds a distinguished professorship in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California in San Francisco and is the director of the Eating Disorders Program in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

‘Eating disorders cause indescribable suffering, but the cruellest trick they play is in making families and those affected feel like they are going through it alone. As an FBT clinician, I know how much the treatment asks of families - and how hard it can be to understand if you haven't been there yourself. My Kid is Back Second Edition is a lifeline for families just starting their FBT journey and for anyone who wants to know what an eating disorder looks and feels like 'in the wild'.’Jocelyn Lebow, PhD, LP, associate professor and clinical psychologist, Mayo Clinic (USA)‘Sharing the stories of those who have been through the challenging journey of anorexia recovery has incredible power. This book highlights the importance of early intervention and parents' crucial role in using FBT to enhance the chances of faster recovery. This second edition is written with compassion and insight and provides hope by sharing real-life examples. Hearing from those who have faced similar challenges will empower parents and reinforce that with persistence, unity, and compassion, success is possible.’Kellie Lavender, co-director of New Zealand Eating Disorders Clinic, FBT supervisor and trainer with the Training Institute for Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders‘This insightful, moving and step-by-step book engenders hope and provides strategies for reclaiming one’s child from anorexia. Building on diverse lived experiences of families, carers will become empowered with knowledge about anorexia and various approaches for supporting emotional and physical recovery. These compelling stories illustrate that early intervention is possible with parental involvement and experts in the field of eating disorders acting in unison to support youth affected by eating disorders.’Gina Dimitropoulos, MSW, PhD, FAED, professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary‘Anorexia nervosa in a child or adolescent thrives on its insidious ability to create bewilderment, conflict, emotional chaos, helplessness, and hopelessness. Exhausted families generate paralysing questions (e.g., "Who is to blame?") instead of "We know and love our child, so what can we immediately do at home to reverse self-induced starvation and recover our unique, healthy kid?" My Kid is Back (2nd Edition) demonstrates that Family-Based Treatment is a versatile, powerful, team-based answer. Paraphrasing Belinda Caldwell's inspiring afterword, this book provides authoritative guidance to deploy the family's natural resources: love, knowledge, skill, cooperation, tenacity, compassion, selflessness, trust, and hope.’Michael P. Levine, PhD, FAED, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Kenyon College (USA)‘When a child is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, parents need ready, high-quality information and advice on the mindset and skillset needed to bring their child back. This book is it. Clinicians who understand the evidence and its application can be pivotal in successfully treating children with anorexia nervosa. However, I am always impressed by the power that good reading by parents has on their child's recovery. This book, in its first edition, has helped many families; the second edition broadens our understanding of people’s experiences and therapy. I commend it to every parent once they find themselves on this path and to every clinician committed to supporting families and young people to recover their lives.’Professor Sarah Maguire OAM, director, InsideOut Institute, University of Sydney

• Introduction 1. Family-based Treatment of Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: From the Maudsley Hospital Beginnings to Today Part 1: At Home with the Family 2. Heidi –mother of Paul 3. Veronica–mother of Toby 4. Elizabeth –mother of Lily 5. Peta – Mother of Briony 6. Tessa –mother of Julia 7. Stuart and Marie – Parents of Harry 8. Sarah and Peter– Parents of Isla 9. Grace –mother of Erica 10. Fiona --mother of Elly 11. Jill –mother of Michelle 12. Miranda --mother of Frankie Part 2: When a Twin has Anorexia Nervosa 13. Maree –mother of Twin Girls, Charlie With AN 14. Jane and Michelle Parents of Twin Girls, Lily With AN 15. Leanne –mother of Twin Boy/girl, Paige With AN Part 3: How my Family helped me to get Back 16. Frankie’s Story 17. Michelle’s Story 18. Paige’s Story 19. Erica’s Story 20. Briony’s Story Part 4: Then and Now Stories 21. Kristen: Her Story in 2009 -1 Reflects 21.1 Kristen (Original Story in Mkib 1st Ed) 22. Alice – Cathy Reflects 22.1 Alice (Original Story in Mkib 1st Ed) Part 5: What are Parents To Do 23. Important Strategies for Coping 24. Navigating the Search for Family-based Treatment Afterword: Together We Thrive