Bright, popular and a star on the rugby pitch, 15 year old Ben had everything he could want. But then food-loving Ben began to systematically starve himself. At the same time his urge to exercise became extreme. In a matter of months Ben lost one quarter of his bodyweight as he plunged into anorexia nervosa, an illness that threatened to destroy him.
"Please eat… A mother’s struggle to free her teenage son from anorexia" is his mother’s heart-breaking yet inspirational account of how she watched helplessly as her son transformed into someone she didn’t recognise, physically and mentally. It also describes how, with the help of his parents and therapist, and through his own determination, Ben slowly began to recover and re-build his life.
Now with new Epilogue (November 2014)
“I have just finished Please eat… and it such a powerful page turner! Bev Mattocks has captured the complexity of her family’s journey so honestly, bravely and with such clarity of writing. It is a compelling read.” - Susan Ringwood, Chief Executive, BEAT
“Bev Mattocks describes the story of her son’s anorexia but also provides insight for other families facing this complex illness in a world where anorexia is still associated with teenage girls. Totally recommended.” - Sam Thomas, Founder of Men Get Eating Disorders Too
“Bev Mattocks shares her painful personal story so beautifully that the reader feels a deep connection. She models the tenacity needed by parents to stand up to these deadly illnesses for the long haul.. This is a powerful account which health care providers around the world need to read before meeting with their first eating disorders patient.” - Becky Henry, Founder of Hope Network, LLC & Award Winning Author of Just Tell Her To Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders
“The world is slowly coming to realise that ‘Boys Get Anorexia Too’. Bev Mattocks writes honestly and from the heart about helping her teenage son to overcome anorexia. Like ours, this is another success story of a family working together with friends, school and clinicians to beat this insidious illness. Many families will find great comfort from reading this story as well as much needed energy to fight the eating disorder.” - Jenny Langley, Author of Boys Get Anorexia Too
“This is a wonderful book. It's quite hard to read because the story is so painful, but easy to read because of the clarity and simplicity of style.” - Gill Todd, RMN MSc, former Clinical Nurse Leader at the Gerald Russell Eating Disorders Unit, Bethlem & Maudsley Hospitals, London
“Please eat… is gut wrenching and touching. It captivated me and I could hardly breathe as I was reading it. I read the first six chapters in one sitting.” - Parent
“Cancel your plans for the day when you open this book: the riveting story will have you caring and cheering for a family that the world needs to meet.” - Laura Collins, Founder of FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) & Author of Eating With Your Anorexic
“Bev Mattocks is doing such amazing work empowering other parents and helping to raise awareness that boys get eating disorders too.” - Leah Dean, Executive Director, FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
“This book takes you on an emotional journey through the everyday reality of dealing with anorexia. If you're a health professional, read it to understand what parents are struggling with at home. If your friends or relatives think that anorexia is simply a refusal to eat, get them to read Ben's story. And if you believe anorexia is a girl thing, this book will sweep away your misconceptions.” - Eva Musby, Parent and Writer
“Please eat… made me very emotional, it’s hard recalling those moments when you realise that something is wrong. I am sure the book will be a valuable resource for many parents.” - Parent
Listen to Bev talk about their story here: http://bevmatto
"Please eat… A mother’s struggle to free her teenage son from anorexia" is his mother’s heart-breaking yet inspirational account of how she watched helplessly as her son transformed into someone she didn’t recognise, physically and mentally. It also describes how, with the help of his parents and therapist, and through his own determination, Ben slowly began to recover and re-build his life.
Now with new Epilogue (November 2014)
“I have just finished Please eat… and it such a powerful page turner! Bev Mattocks has captured the complexity of her family’s journey so honestly, bravely and with such clarity of writing. It is a compelling read.” - Susan Ringwood, Chief Executive, BEAT
“Bev Mattocks describes the story of her son’s anorexia but also provides insight for other families facing this complex illness in a world where anorexia is still associated with teenage girls. Totally recommended.” - Sam Thomas, Founder of Men Get Eating Disorders Too
“Bev Mattocks shares her painful personal story so beautifully that the reader feels a deep connection. She models the tenacity needed by parents to stand up to these deadly illnesses for the long haul.. This is a powerful account which health care providers around the world need to read before meeting with their first eating disorders patient.” - Becky Henry, Founder of Hope Network, LLC & Award Winning Author of Just Tell Her To Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders
“The world is slowly coming to realise that ‘Boys Get Anorexia Too’. Bev Mattocks writes honestly and from the heart about helping her teenage son to overcome anorexia. Like ours, this is another success story of a family working together with friends, school and clinicians to beat this insidious illness. Many families will find great comfort from reading this story as well as much needed energy to fight the eating disorder.” - Jenny Langley, Author of Boys Get Anorexia Too
“This is a wonderful book. It's quite hard to read because the story is so painful, but easy to read because of the clarity and simplicity of style.” - Gill Todd, RMN MSc, former Clinical Nurse Leader at the Gerald Russell Eating Disorders Unit, Bethlem & Maudsley Hospitals, London
“Please eat… is gut wrenching and touching. It captivated me and I could hardly breathe as I was reading it. I read the first six chapters in one sitting.” - Parent
“Cancel your plans for the day when you open this book: the riveting story will have you caring and cheering for a family that the world needs to meet.” - Laura Collins, Founder of FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) & Author of Eating With Your Anorexic
“Bev Mattocks is doing such amazing work empowering other parents and helping to raise awareness that boys get eating disorders too.” - Leah Dean, Executive Director, FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
“This book takes you on an emotional journey through the everyday reality of dealing with anorexia. If you're a health professional, read it to understand what parents are struggling with at home. If your friends or relatives think that anorexia is simply a refusal to eat, get them to read Ben's story. And if you believe anorexia is a girl thing, this book will sweep away your misconceptions.” - Eva Musby, Parent and Writer
“Please eat… made me very emotional, it’s hard recalling those moments when you realise that something is wrong. I am sure the book will be a valuable resource for many parents.” - Parent
Listen to Bev talk about their story here: http://bevmatto
