Assessment of Eating Disorders

James E. Mitchell, MD, is currently the NRI/Lee A. Christofferson MD Professor and Chair of the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and President and Scientific Director of the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute. Dr. Mitchell is on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Eating Disorders and the Eating Disorders Review, and he has published more than 300 articles and book chapters, as well as 12 books. His research is currently funded by the National Institute of Health.Carol B. Peterson, PhD, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a research associate and an assistant professor in the Eating Disorders Research Program at the University of Minnesota, where her investigations have focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and obesity. Dr. Peterson has authored more than 50 articles and book chapters and has served as an investigator on several federally funded research projects focusing on eating disorders. She is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota and has a part-time private practice in which she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders.

A critically important book that will have a significant impact on clinical care and research in the field of eating disorders. Top eating disorder researchers provide the necessary tools for integrating observation and verbal inquiry to deliver state-of-the-art care. The book offers a thorough review of assessment techniques for eating disorder clinicians (mental health, primary care physicians, and nutritionists) and researchers. It will be a valuable text for graduate students and psychiatry residents.--David B. Herzog, MD, Harvard Eating Disorders Center, Massachusetts General HospitalAn outstanding group of contributors have joined forces to offer a comprehensive review of eating disorder assessment, from well-established interview and self-report instruments to cutting-edge technology such as ecological momentary assessment. This invaluable resource provides clear research and practice guidelines for investigators and clinicians in all areas of eating disorders. For students in clinical psychology or psychiatry, this definitive text will be of great use in graduate-level assessment courses or in more specialized courses on eating disorders.--Janet D. Latner, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, New ZealandThis book offers 'one-stop shopping' in that it neatly describes many issues that are relevant for diagnosing and treating eating disorders. From recognized experts, it offers a wealth of information for the clinician who is new to the field, and also is a resource for the experienced clinician. This excellent text should be on the bookshelf of everyone who treats anorexia and bulimia nervosa.--Walter H. Kaye, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine- The book constitutes a valuable review of the evaluation instruments available, includes good examples of questions to be included in the diagnostic interview, and may be of use for numerous mental health professionals working with clients with eating disorders. Graduate students following courses on mental health disorders will find the text useful in understanding the multidimensional nature of eating disorders and their evaluation and treatment. --PsycCRITIQUES, 12/20/2007

• 1. Diagnostic Issues, B. Timothy Walsh and Dana A. Satir2. The Classification of Eating Disorders, Kathryn H. Gordon, Jill M. Denoma, and Thomas E. Joiner, Jr.3. Conducting the Diagnostic Interview, Carol B. Peterson4. A Standardized Database, James E. Mitchell5. Structured Instruments, Carlos M. Grilo6. Self-Report Measures, Carol B. Peterson and James E. Mitchell7. Medical Assessment, Scott Crow and Susan Swigart8. Nutritional Assessment, Cheryl L. Rock9. Family Assessment, Daniel le Grange10. Assessment of Body Image Disturbance, J. Kevin Thompson, Megan Roehrig, Guy Cafri, and Leslie J. Heinberg11. Ecological Momentary Assessment, Scott G. Engel, Steve A. Wonderlich, and Ross D. Crosby12. Treatment Planning, James E. Mitchell