It was Never About the Food

About the Book

It Was Never about the Food shows that recovery from eating disorders is possible. Whether you are someone entering treatment, returning to treatment, supporting someone in treatment, or even contemplating treatment, it is intended to shine a spotlight on the path to recovery. The authors share the stories of four individuals who developed and struggled with an eating disorder … and overcame it. The stories answer questions such as: • What role does an eating disorder play in someone’s life? • How does an eating disorder develop and how harmful can it be? • What does the path to recovery look like? Through these stories, you will see that recovery does not come from a predictable formula. You cannot say to anyone suffering from an eating disorder that if he or she would simply do X, Y, and Z, he or she will recover. Eating disorders require a personalized and comprehensive approach to recovery. A major component to recovery seems to be the willingness to ask for help and to accept support from others—and recognizing that it is never about the food.

About the Author

Tony Paulson, Ph.D. has treated patients with eating disorders for more than twenty-five years and has lectured extensively on the topic. He is an adjunct professor at Sacramento State and teaches core classes at JFK Universities’ eating disorders certificate program. He co-authored the book, Why She Feels Fat: Understanding Your Loved One’s Eating Disorder and How You Can Help to assist families in better understanding and responding to their loved one’s eating disorder. Eve Snyder, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She obtained her post-doctoral training at Sierra Treatment Center, where she met Tony Paulson. She has a private practice in Roseville, California, and enjoys reading, yoga and baking. She is a wife and mother of three. Mark Gibson is a licensed clinical social worker and has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders for the past twenty years. He has gained a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge while providing care at inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. For the past six years, he has worked in private practice in Auburn, California.