Shadows and Lies: The Unseen Battle of Eating Disorders 1999
Distributed by Fanlight Productions, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Karen Pascal, Windborne Productions
Director n/a
VHS, color, 24 min.
Adult
Psychology, Women's Studies, Health Sciences
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Samantha Gust, Niagara University Library, Niagara University, NYAccording to this video, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia strike all segments of society, and 86% of victims report their illness by age 20. Furthermore, victims and experts say that eating disorders are not actually about food, but about finding a way to gain control in one's life.
Although the video indicates that both men and women can develop eating disorders, only four women are profiled, and one is filmed anonymously in silhouette. Each of these women talk frankly about why they think they developed an eating disorder and how they are recovering and dealing with the physical and emotional effects of the eating disorder. These firsthand accounts give the viewer a fascinating glimpse of what goes on in the mind of an eating disorder patient. One victim's husband talks about the active role he plays in his wife's recovery.
Gail Winemaker, MA, Psychotherapist, Valerie Ritchie, Addiction/Family Counselor and Helen Martinic, R.D., provide useful information about causes and treatments.
The sound, narration and video quality are good.
Recommended for academic, health sciences, high school and public libraries.