Anorexia and Bulimia : Anatomy of a Social Epidemic

Since the publication of the first edition of this work in 1990, eating disorders have become a high profile news item featuring regularly in magazines, newspapers and television debates and documentaries.

Still the incidence of anorexia and bulimia in western society continues to increase with ever younger victims and is a real cause for concern amongst parents and teachers.

In this second edition, the author brings together historical and cultural perspectives, as well as his own clinical experience, in order to examine the socio-cultural roots of what must now be considered an epidemic of our time.

Through the discussion of topics such as body image and fashion trends, obesity and the representation of eating disorders in the mass media, Richard Gordon examines why western societies in particular have witnessed such an enormous increase in such disorders.

The much neglected subject of treatment and recovery is covered in a new chapter re-inforcing the text's applicabiltiy to all those studying, suffering from or caring for those with, anorexia or bulimia nervosa.