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A review by utahmomreads
Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia by Harriet Brown
5.0
Harriet Brown's daughter Kitty is fourteen years old when she and her husband realize that something is very wrong. Kitty refuses to eat and is losing weight rapidly. When Kitty ends up in ICU, they understand that the problem is severe and Kitty is diagnosed with anorexia.
Instead of sending Kitty to a live-in rehabilitation center, Harriet and her husband decide to try Family Based Therapy (FBT) also known as the Maudsley approach to help Kitty overcome the anorexia demon that has taken over.
Brown has thoroughly researched eating disorders and includes all the current medical understanding of the disease. Using scientific evidence and her own experiences with anorexia, she details how Family Based Therapy, (essentially putting the parents in charge of refeeding the sick child) can have positive effects on the recovery of the child. In several instances of the book I was reminded of one of the basic truths of parenting -- that children (even teenagers) desire and need parents to set strong rules and boundaries for their children. Parents love their children and should be trusted more to make the right choices in regards to their children's health.
Though the fight is hard and Kitty has relapses, they are successful in helping Kitty gain weight and lead a productive life.
This memoir is well written and very readable. It can be a valuable resource for families struggling under the grips of this horrible disease. It offers what they need most -- hope.
Instead of sending Kitty to a live-in rehabilitation center, Harriet and her husband decide to try Family Based Therapy (FBT) also known as the Maudsley approach to help Kitty overcome the anorexia demon that has taken over.
Brown has thoroughly researched eating disorders and includes all the current medical understanding of the disease. Using scientific evidence and her own experiences with anorexia, she details how Family Based Therapy, (essentially putting the parents in charge of refeeding the sick child) can have positive effects on the recovery of the child. In several instances of the book I was reminded of one of the basic truths of parenting -- that children (even teenagers) desire and need parents to set strong rules and boundaries for their children. Parents love their children and should be trusted more to make the right choices in regards to their children's health.
Though the fight is hard and Kitty has relapses, they are successful in helping Kitty gain weight and lead a productive life.
This memoir is well written and very readable. It can be a valuable resource for families struggling under the grips of this horrible disease. It offers what they need most -- hope.