Books
So here are some books that our members/ trustees have written in or found useflu, plus if you follow the links and buy then we will earn some money.
DWED contributor Claire Kearns wrote a chapter on ED-DMT1/ Diabulimia in ths book. We highly recommend it
CBT is one of the proven methods to treat eating disorders, this book is a nice introduction with a work book feel and was recommended by one of our members
Ths is a book on recovery from Anorexia co written by our Trustee Prof Janet Treasure
We also recommend this book highly for carers also co written by Prof Janet Treasure
Needles. This is a personal story about growing up with diabetes and learning about insulin manipulation. Recommended by Erin from Diabulimia Helpline
Half workbook half story written by the mother of a former sufferer, highly recommended
BOOK REVIEW
Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) – a Survival Kit for Sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorders is a self-help book written by Ulrike Schmidt and DWED trustee Professor Janet Treasure. It was originally written to help patients at the Eating Disorders Unit Maudsley Hospital.
Describing what Getting Better Bite by Bite can and can’t do for the reader, it says: “This book can’t cure you. However, the book can help you get much better, so that the eating disorder doesn’t rule your life anymore.” The opening preface explains that it has been written with the aim of helping people to improve eating disordered symptoms and gain some control over their lives, rather than to delve into underlying causes. This, the book explains should be done at a later stage when eating is more stable and the mind is clearer.
I have to admit, when faced with the prospect of using self-help books in general, I am a sceptic. Seems this is not so unusual: ‘You may feel a temptation to “binge” on this book, i.e. to read it quickly and to throw it into a corner, and tell yourself you knew it all already. If you are honest with yourself, that is probably not true.’ It is suggested that the book is digested slowly, with active involvement from the reader. “The more you put in, the more you will get out of it.” It explains “so you may as well start now.”
The first chapter of the book titled “The Way Forward” includes a Bulimia Investigatory test which can help sufferers in identifying the severity of their problem. This is then followed by various exercises that explore the need for change, as well as questions regarding whether you need to reach out and seek help from others. There is a task of writing a letter addressed to two versions of yourself five years into the future, the first as if you are still sick, and the second to a well, recovered you. Consecutive chapters explore the use of a therapeutic food diary and stress the need in finding new ways of dealing with problems, instead of bulimia. Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) also provides practical info on the dangers of eating disorders, healthy weights and how much you should be eating. For those dealing with ED-DMT1/Diabulimia, some of this information can be passed over or simply taken with a pinch of salt, as of course dietary needs for someone with diabetes may differ somewhat from what the book suggests. Moreover, many of us know this stuff like the back of our hands. I quickly disregarded the suggestion that you should not consume diet fizzy drinks as they may cause you to crave sugar and binge. Sorry, definitely not going to happen!
During the final third of the book various other issues that may run alongside bulimia are addressed. These include such childhood abuse, alcohol and drugs misuse, and problems that may be encountered in relation to work life, having children, friendship and family and sexual relationships. Common psychological ills that are found in those suffering from eating disorders are also highlighted. For example, struggles with assertiveness, guilt, people pleasing, and a sense of hopelessness and ‘gloom-and-doom’ that can lead to depression. Readers are advised to try and questioning themselves in relation to bad feelings and to look for evidence for irrational thoughts, which often cannot be found. With regards to shame, the book suggests undertaking one “shameful” act each week to “shake off shame” and work on the uncomfortable feelings that arise. This could be dressing comfortably for a formal affair or deliberately letting a small thing go wrong at work.
The style of writing used by Schmidt and Treasure is unfussy and easy to follow, without being patronising, which I find to be particularly important in a self-help title. Rather than telling readers what to do, the book instead suggests and guides without putting on any amount of pressure. Every chapter of the book is broken up with small statements from those that have actively suffered with eating disorders, which back up specific points of topic. These sources share their experiences of illness and recovery, providing relatable information which can reassure the reader they are not alone, and that they also can overcome their difficulties. I found these snippets to be a crucial part of the book, because although the authors are experts in their fields they do not have concrete, direct experience themselves.
Arguably the most useful section of Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) is the chapter on how to stop binges, which are a common concern for those with ED-DMT1/Diabulimia. Importantly it is stated that: “Binging is not the result of being a weak-willed person. There are a number of important psychological reasons for binging.” The book then urges sufferers to identify binging patterns and provides valuable information on dealing with urges, including techniques of detachment, imagery and distraction. The proceeding chapter tackles purging in the form of laxatives, vomiting and diuretics section –unfortunately there is nothing that specifically addresses insulin omission in diabetics. This is perhaps the biggest drawback to using this book if you are someone with ED-DMT1/Diabulimia: the fact that it includes no information pertaining to the issue of insulin restriction and omission. Of course this aspect is a huge part of the illness and sufferers will specially need help in overcoming their fear of re-introducing insulin as they try to improve. Therefore working through Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) in stages as it suggests, may not be so possible for those with ED-DMT1. However, if you are willing to pick and choose from the book and just use the sections which you can relate to, I think it definitely can be beneficial. A huge number of patients with diabetes and eating disorders suffer with binging episodes, and some may purge by vomiting or other means alongside insulin omission. In turn, they will share many psychological aspects with those that suffer from bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders.
“Your eating disorder will remain your Achilles’ Heel for the rest of your life, and will be there to trip you up when you least expect it.” states chapter 8: “You need a plan to know how to prevent slips from occurring and what to do if a slip occurs.” The book helps sufferers with what to do if a lapse in recovery does occur, explaining how you can learn from such occurrences and move on. Crucially it states: “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Don’t damn yourself.”
The parting chapter of Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) is aptly titled “Is this the end of the journey – Or not?” Here the book tackles the dilemma of failure. It explains that eating disorders take a long time to overcome, especially if they have been long term. “Having worked through this book, ask yourself honestly how you feel.” It reads. “Did you know that the people who are most successful in life are the ones who don’t give up when they encounter failure? So try again.” Never a better word said.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone considering the idea of giving up their illness or looking to take those first tentative steps along the road to getting better. I think it could also be beneficial to those aiming to strengthen and maintain an existing state of recovery. There’s certainly nothing to lose in giving it a go, and it’s unlikely you will finish without learning something useful. You can purchase Getting Better Bit(e) by Bit(e) by Ulrika Schmidt and Janet Treasure through DWED’s website which is now affiliated with Amazon.co.uk. This means that a donation from your payment will be passed on to DWED. A very good reason to get buying now!
