Please eat… A mother's struggle to free her teenage son from anorexia

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 (December 2023)

"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. If only the world knew the truth told in this memoir!" Laura Collins, Founder of F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) & Author of Eating with Your Anorexic

"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

"An essential read for anyone trying to understand more about eating disorders in teenage boys. 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, Men Get Eating Disorders Too

"A powerful, painful account, beautifully written... this book will benefit parents in reducing isolation and feeling more powerful when speaking with healthcare providers." Becky Henry, Founder of Hope Network, LLC & Award Winning Author of Just Tell Her To Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders

"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, F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)

"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

"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

"Please eat… is gut wrenching and touching. It captivated me and I could hardly breathe as I was reading it. I read the first 6 chapters in one sitting. Bev Mattocks has done such a great job of bringing her story to us in a vivid and personal way." Parent