Self-help means all the therapeutic methods which the patients themselves can perform completely or partly.

There are self-help forms where the patient alone, with the help of a handbook, conducts a complete therapy, or guided self-help, supervised by a doctor or psychologist trained in therapeutic program use.

Since the main aim of self-help is to involve patients in an active way in their Eating Disorder therapy, and since the active involvement of patients in the treatment is the major factor in Eating Disorder therapy, a form of self-help is always included in all therapeutic programs for Eating Disorders both in the hospital and as outpatient treatment.

Self-help programs are recommended for all patients who realize that they are attaching too much importance to their weight in Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or other Eating Disorders.

Guided self-help can be suggested to people suffering from an Eating Disorder of moderate gravity (BMI not below 17,5).

In all other cases it is advisable to link self-help with a specialist therapeutic program.

Self-help handbooks for Eating Disorders in general and specific disorders are avaliable in bookshops.