Men and Hunger: A Psychological Manual for Relief Workers
For family members and friends who struggle with understanding that the behavior and cognitive processes of those affected by an eating disorder are real, I strongly recommend this pamphlet Men and Hunger: A Psychological Manual for Relief Workers.
In many books and articles related to eating disorders, the reader will come upon a reference to the Minnesota Experiment conducted by Ancel Keys, physiologist at the University of Minnesota. This experiment which took place in the mid-1940’s was significant. Its findings, put in print, describe the emotional and behavioral symptoms often associated with anorexia that are by-products of starvation.
What many of the books and articles do not mention is this pamphlet Men and Hunger: A Psychological Manual for Relief Workers that complements the study. The pamphlet was originally developed to prepare relief workers who were traveling to Europe. Their purpose for travel was to provide support to the large number of people malnourished as a result of WWII.
If I had read this pamphlet as one of my first resources, not only would I have had a better understanding of the impact that restriction was having on my daughter, but I would have been better prepared to support my daughter.
The dedication of the pamphlet is poignant.
“To the men who starved voluntarily in the hope that their privation might aid millions who starve involuntarily”
I invite you and others to take the brief time required to read this booklet in its entirety.
