Amazon.com
"You will learn to accept and live with the uncontrollable thoughts and feelings that haunt you about your weight, and you will learn to take charge and move your life in directions that you value," promise the authors, both specialists in treating people with anorexia. They use the ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) philosophy: Accept the thoughts and feelings, and commit to actions that take charge of your life in a positive way. Step by step, you learn to understand that what you've been doing isn't working, deal with emotions and thoughts more effectively, identify your life values, start living a life that reflects those values, and cope with barriers. The overriding point is that you can act before you "get things right in your head." The style is warm, simple, and accepting--no stern lectures or commands to eat. The workbook has large pages and is well laid-out and easy to follow. Each chapter presents bulleted preview points at the beginning, clear content, and plenty of self-tests, exercises, and worksheets to get you immediately involved in each part of the process. Highly recommended for people challenged by anorexia and those who love them or work with them. --Joan PriceBook Description
Use the New and Effective Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to:
· Accept Your Thoughts and Change Your Behavior
· Cope with Critical Self-Talk Using Powerful Mindfulness Techniques
· Choose to Live a Healthy Life

Despite ever-widening media attention and public awareness of the problem, American women continue to suffer from anorexia nervosa in greater numbers than ever before. This severe psychophysiological condition—characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, a persistent unwillingness to eat, and severe compulsion to lose weight—is particularly difficult to treat, often because the victims are unwilling to seek out help.This book uses innovative new techniques based on a revolutionary model of psychotherapy called acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, to teach readers that efforts to control and stop anorexia may do more harm than good. Instead of focusing efforts on judging impulses associated with the disorder as "bad" or "negative," this approach encourages sufferers to mindfully observe these feelings without reacting to them in a self-destructive way. Guided to this more compassionate, more receptive frame of mind, readers are coached to employ various acceptance-based coping strategies.

Structured in a logical, step-by-step progression of exercises, the workbook first focuses on providing readers with a new understanding of anorexia and the ways they might have already tried to control the problem.Then the book progresses through techniques that teach how to use mindfulness to deal with out-of-control thoughts and feelings, how to identify choice that will lead to better heath and quality of life, and how to redirect the energy formerly spent on weight loss into those actions that will heal the body and mind. Although this book is written specifically to anorexia sufferers, it includes a clear and informative chapter on when readers need to seek professional treatment as well as advice on what to look for in a therapist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

wouldn't give to a teenager
I skimmed this and decided not to give it to my adolescent daugther who is recovering from A.N.; more approrpiate for an adult who has decided they want to make a recovery and lookwing for a workbook--there are some frightening pages that say, imagine you have died, what would you want your tombstone to say--I regret that i wasted the money

Helped me gain control and seek help
As someone with an "Eating Disorder Personality" I found myself in a difficult place before this book. I felt I couldn't talk to anyone because I wasn't fully anorexic but I knew that I was having thoughts. I found this book after skiping sevrel meals and i bought it . I can't tell you how much it helped me . It not only helped me with the way I was feeling but also to understand that I could talk to someone about it and not feel ashamed. I decided to see someone and helped me step away from the "edge" as I call it . It was really helpful to me and hopefully someone else out there. SO from someone who wasn't really an outsider but not really an Insider I recomend this to anyone who is dealing with an E.D. or cares for someone who is.

helpful
This book was helpful. It did not cure me. What it did do was help me realize that I didn't want to keep going in the path I was in. After having the eating disoder for many years and refusing help the entire time, thats actually an accomplishment. I would recommend this book to anyone who is on their last leg and not sure what to do.

A book of hope help and reassurance
Written in such a way that it helps people to understand how to overcome the addiction of anorexia and its hold on one's life. In doing that it makes it possible to change one's mindset instead of just covering up the layers.

Interesting and Helpful Book
This is a very practical book, and I would advice to read anyone who is involved with anorexia: patient or therapist. The one who suffers from anorexia will undestand the characteristics of the disorder and how to deal with it by herself. For the therapist this book will provide useful ideas based on the real life experience of the authors. This is a very compasionate book. ... Read more

Amazon.com
"I fell for the great American dream, female version, hook, line, and sinker," Marya Hornbacher writes. "I, as many young women do, honest-to-God believed that once I Just Lost a Few Pounds, suddenly I would be a New You, I would have Ken-doll men chasing my thin legs down with bouquets of flowers on the street, I would become rich and famous and glamorous and lose my freckles and become blond and five foot ten." Hornbacher describes in shocking detail her lifelong quest to starve herself to death, to force her short, athletic body to fade away. She remembers telling a friend, at age 4, that she was on a diet. Her bizarre tale includes not only the usual puking andstarving, but also being confined to mental hospitals and growing fur (a phenomenon called lanugo, which nature imposes to keep a body from freezing to death during periods of famine).Book Description

Why would a talented young woman enter into a torrid affair with hunger, drugs, sex, and death? Through five lengthy hospital stays, endless therapy, and the loss of family, friends, jobs, and all sense of what it means to be "normal," Marya Hornbacher lovingly embraced her anorexia and bulimia -- until a particularly horrifying bout with the disease in college put the romance of wasting away to rest forever. A vivid, honest, and emotionally wrenching memoir, Wasted is the story of one woman's travels to reality's darker side -- and her decision to find her way back on her own terms.

Why would a talented young girl go through the looking glass and step into a netherworld where up is down and food is greed, where death is honor and flesh is weak? Why enter into a love affair with hunger, drugs, sex, and death? Marya Hornbacher sustains both anorexia and bulimia through five lengthy hospitalizations, endless therapy, and the loss of family, friends, jobs, and ultimately, any sense of what it means to be "normal." By the time she is in college, Hornbacher is in the grip of a bout with anorexia so horrifying that it will forever put to rest the romance of wasting away. In this vivid, emotionally wrenching memoir, she re-created the experience and illuminated that tangle of personal, family, and cultural causes underlying eating disorders. Wasted is the story of one woman's travels to the darker side of reality, and her decision to find her way back--on her own terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (390)

If you liked Wurtzel, you'll LOVE Hornbacher
This is not a book about recovery. There is nothing suggesting recovery in this book. As I read it, I kept thinking about the ouevre of Elizabeth Wurtzel. Different maladies, but it sounds almost as if one of them copied the other's homework and they both turned in essentially the same thing.

Same misplaced condescension to the reader, same self-centered whining, same blaming of others, same histrionics as Wurtzel. And to make it worse, Hornbacher gives several instances of how she lied to people or otherwise tried to trick them into leaving her alone with her ED. Why should anyone believe her now?

Like Wurtzel ... same bitter precociousness (all width and no depth), same obliviousness to other people, but very little substance and no self-awareness or wisdom of any kind. At the end of the book she sounds like the same manipulative person she ever was.

And what is Amy Fisher doing on the cover?

I've read reviews here written by people in recovery from EDs. If it matters, please know that my comments are not directed to you, nor was I saying anything about people with EDs in general. I just got really tired of Marya Hornbacher about halfway through the book, and the second half didn't improve my opinion.

i've never read this book.
i've never read this book, but i knowit very well,
mainly because my best friend in the entire world read this book while going through an extreme eating disorder.

if i ever saw this book in a store i would take it home and burn it. it ruined her life, it really did.

my friend used it as a guidebook itstead of a pleasure read. it was highlighted and had post-its all over it.

this book is not reading material, its a dangerous tool.

"Wasted" is not constructive
I did not finish this book, and I'm not going to review it's contents.

I picked up the book when I was beginning to emerge from the denial of my own eating disorder, and I thought it would help me find ways to recover, or at least give me some insight as to where to begin my recovery process. I found exactly the opposite, and I disagree with the recommendations in other reviews that we should give this book to teenage girls.

I found myself reading, and feeding off of the author's thoughts, behaviors, and feelings surrounding her perpetuating eating disorder [remember, I didn't finish the book]. I did not find empowerment to recoverfrom my eating disorder to avoid being where the author was in the times she wrote about. Rather, I TOOK ADVICE from the book! I guess it's my fault for picking up a memoir in search of empowerment.

This is NOT a good book to give to any teenage girl or any person with an eating disorder.

If you are looking for an empowering eating disorder recovery book for yourself or someone you love, I highly recommend "Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer.

And you thought your life was bad
This was a thorough and detailed account of Hornbacher's eating disorder and her vacillating between bulimia and anorexia. Overall it was an easy read and it will resonate well with those who are personally affected by an eating disorder. While this book had its strengths and is probably one of the better first-hand accounts of a severe eating disorder, one of the problems I had with Hornbacher stylistically is that she is very self-aggrandizing. If you want an example of this skip ahead to the "PS" section of "About the Author" which is an update about her life since the book was written.It is written in the third person but presumably Hornbacher wrote this herself since the page basically summarizes the accolades she has received as if to overcompensate for her lack of an educational history earlier in her life. This narcissism is rather typical of her writing as it presents itself throughout the book and she walks a fine line between appearing self-pitiful versus self-righteous.My other complaint is that I don't think Hornbacher herself was completely in tune with herself when she wrote the book. In other words she delivers the process and thinking behind the disorders, paints an excellent backdrop, but she is not necessarily self-aware of who she is as a person. She has the intellectual capacity to fill in the details but not necessarily the maturity and meaningful insight that makes for a compelling memoir. It is clear that a large part of her identity is lost in these disorders. Till this day she has a symbiotic relationship with her eating disorder. I get the feeling at the end that she feels self-entitled to her disorder which is why she clings on to it.She doesn't know of any other life without it or any other way.

Lurid details and brutal self-reflection, but look out for triggers
While reading the book, my main thought was how brave(?) Marya was to disclose all of the lurid details of her sickness. As a bulimic myself, my first priority is secrecy at all costs.

Yes, I thought she was a total jerk and it amazed me that other people put up with her as long as they did. While the details of her eating disorder are disgusting and shocking--not exactly glamorizing her sickness--I do agree that the book is a trigger. I had been in remission for several months, but started again soon after reading this book. Why? I believe it's because, thanks to the book, I know what rock bottom is. In comparison, I binge-purge only 2-3 times a week. As long as someone is worse than me (and still lives), I feel I can keep it around.

The book I read that did make me stop bingeing and purging was "Overcoming Binge Eating" by Chris Fairburn. There are plenty of personal story excerpts from those suffering from overeating and bulimia, but importantly there are very good suggestions for how to adopt a more normal, healthy diet and perspective. ... Read more

Book Description
More than five million adolescent girls struggle with eating dis-orders, and more than 80 percent of American women are unhappy with their bodies. Christie Pettit knows these statistics firsthand. As a college student with a tennis scholarship, she found herself eating less and less, compulsively exercising, and spiraling downward in a dangerous battle against anorexia. She was starving--but she didn't know it. Now with a two-color interior, Empty recounts Christie's gripping story, incorporating new statistics, reflections from her journal, and biblical insight. Her candid retelling of her experience shows the spiritual dimension of eating disorders and describes how Christie turned to the Bible as a source of strength and encouragement to help her overcome anorexia. Pastors, parents, counselors, and those battling anorexia--especially teen girls--will find hope and wise counsel in Christie's compelling story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

good book
If you want a story or an autobiography as I did than no this is not a goog book. But if you know someone or are domeone who is struggling with anorexia nervosa than this is a good educational and self help book. It contains a strong belief in God which is fine by me. I recommend it for someone who may need help with this topic or may need to help someone else.

Terrible
This book cannot be judged by its cover. I felt like this book had so much potential, but the word terrible keeps coming to mind. I was so disappointed. Everything the author talked about was in relation to God and the bible. Since I have different religious beliefs, I could not relate to anything the author was going through because I could not get past how much religion was the underlying theme to all of her entries. I thought this book was going to be about the author's struggle with her eating disorder, but really it just kept talking about what she felt God wanted her to do and how to deal with an eating disorder while believing in God. I would not recommend anyone purchase this book if their intention is to learn more about eating disorders.

Just a repackaging of previous book
This is actually her previous book, "Starving," with a new cover and layout.Misleading info on Amazon.

Disappointing
I thought it would be more of an autobiography or memoir, but it was divided into short chapters that would discuss some feature of her struggle with her eating disorder, and then connect them to a bible verse and discuss her relationship with God. If you're looking for a spiritual memoir, then go for this book. Otherwise, don't go near it. It's choppy and in my opinion, not well written.

Excellent
I have read Christie's previous book and thought it was excellent.Along comes a second book and it is written at a more teen oriented audience which I believe is a crucial component in looking at the beginnings of eating disorder.

Christie admits early on in her book that she is not sure why she is writing the book.She also explains that her spiritual side has developed from living this disease and that she feels the need to pass along her experiences.

This book is well written, not technical and is a compassionate memoir.She pulls no punches and tells it like it is - does not glamorize the whole eating disorder thing and honestly tries to remember and reflect on the thought patterns as she re-reads some of the entries made in her journal during her struggles.

I loved this book because it is down to earth and is aimed at the generation that needs it the most.Eating Disorders ARE NOT cool -

Buy this book. ... Read more

Book Description
A first-time examination of sexual anorexia, an extreme fear of sexual intimacy and obsessive avoidance of sex, by the acknowledged leader in the treatment of compulsive sexual behavior and recovery.Author Dr.Patrick Carnes begins by defining sexual anorexia and demonstrating how it and its parallel disorder, sexual addiction and compulsivity, often arise from a background of childhood sexual trauma, neglect, and other forms of abuse, Carnes explores the numerous dimensions of sexual health, examining key issues which must be addressed and resolved for recovery to proceed.Utilizing extensive research and elucidating case studies, Carnes develops concrete tasks and plans for restoring nurturing and sensuality, building fulfilling relationships, exploring intimacy, and creating healthy sexuality.Woven throughout the book are stories of recovery which illustrate sexual healing principles, model new behavior, and support motivation for change.Sexual Anorexia enables those suffering from this disorder to recognize that sex need not be a furtive enemy to be fought and defeated but, instead, a deeply sensual, passionate, fulfilling, and spiritual experience that all human beings are innately entitled to.Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., the best-selling author of Out of the Shadows and Contrary to Love, is an internationally known speaker and writer on sexual dysfunction and recovery.He is currently Clinical Director of Sexual Disorders at The Meadows, a treatment facility that works with clients who deal with a wide range of behavior disorders, addiction, and psychological conditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Absolultey on the mark
I have only just recently begun to read this book.But already I am absolutely shocked by how on target everything it says is.As I read the pages, I find myself wondering if the author has not been observing me and taking notes.I have always held a strong fear of sexuality, and always feel guilty when I find myself watching pretty girls or getting aroused.The author's descriptions if an interior world of denial and self doubt are precisely on the mark.I have not begun to utilize any therapeutic tips offered within, but so far I am deeply impressed.

Great book I hate
This is a great book to get out of the denial of problems with intimacy and sexuality.It is to the point and gives great help for recovery.

Finally a deeper perspective
After having tried different kinds of books and therapy which mainly is focusing on the technical aspects of sex with little success or progress, I feel that this book really goes behind the technical and offers a more complete explanation as to why some people have a difficult relationship with sex.
In comparison to other books that seem to tell you that if you have difficulty with sex you must have been sexually abused as a child, this book offers a more complete analysis and makes you think of little things and details which along the way might have caused you to find sex difficult, but in an uplifting manner, saying that it is ok and that you can solve it. It also tells you that you are not the only one suffering from this fear of intimacy and that it is ok and you can do something about it.
In my opinion it is a very well written book and is worth reading for a lot of people in order to get a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them, focusing on how intimacy can be difficult and providing solutions to work through it.

Empathetic and brave
This book has been very useful to me. It's written with a good deal of compassion and insight, and even though I think the authors oversimplify some issues, they manage to get near the heart of what makes sex so difficult for many people. The recommended activities are generally weak and none too useful, but that's true of most self-help books. Even the good ones.

About the Book
Enables those suffering from this disorder to recognize that sex need not be a furtive enemy to be fought & defeated but, instead, a deeply sensual, passionate, fulfilling & spiritual experience that all humanbeings are innately entitled to. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

For Professionals I'm Afraid!
This treatment manual has an amazingly simple structure for such a complex problem. Keeping to the symptoms at hand, starting with what is attainable and streamlining the treatment are key-words in this book. Although purchased at Amazon, it actually is something for the professional setting though. Excellent book, something to recommend to therapists involved in the treatment of AN. ... Read more

Book Description
Anorexia nervosa, in simple terms, is self-starvation. However, it is a complex problem with intricate roots; and, recovery is best accomplished with a grasp of sound information, specific tasks, and the support of others. All of that is provided in this guidebook, which includes:

o Answers to questions most often asked about anorexia

o Insight from recovered and recovering anorexics

o Monika Ostroff's story of recovery

o Specific things to do that have worked for others

o Information on healthy eating and weight

o Suggestions for how to stay committed

o A special section for parents & loved ones ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Inspirational
I've read 3 other books on this topic and found this to be the easiest to read and very inspirational.Short chapters, pick-up and read as much or as little in one sitting.Practical, real life examples of dealing with the complexities of an eating disorder.Not sugar coated, yet it does not dwell in the depths of dispair.Encouraging, hopeful, realistic.I consider this a must read for anyone dealing with an eating disorder, their friends, and family included.I am a mom to a recovering daughter.

Encouraging and Full of Insight
This book is not only a wonderful resource for sufferers of anorexia.But it is also a resource for thier family and friends.The book explains anorexia, tells Monika Ostroff's personal story, and has a special chapter for family and loved ones.Everyone who suffers from anorexia or has a spouse, family member, or friend with anorexia, should read this book.

Gentle, reassuring and helpful
Reading this book evokes the feeling of talking to a concerned and supportive friend about anorexia.The authors don't throw out harsh statistics or Freudian theories, and there are no disturbingly graphicdepictions of binging or purging.Instead, the reader is treated withaffection and respect.It is assumed that anorexia develops as a method ofcoping, and the reader receives suggestions for new ways to deal withfeelings.This book gives the reader a feeling of hope and self-reliance,and avoids shaming language.The authors give helpful, practical methodsof overcoming anorexia and learning to love oneself.

This book cradels you. It makes you feel good and not guilty
I have had anorexia for 11 years. I am now 24 and am in treatment. Hall and Ostroff's book helped me to understand that I was not alone, and that I was in charge. Most importantly, and the most difficult issue to deal withis that anorexia teaches you things about yourself. I strongly recommendthis book to someone who does not know where to start. No, once you readit, you will not be cured but at least you will have explored what you aremost afraid of--letting go of the control and the selfdestructive copingstrategies. I read the book within the first week of group therapy and camethe next week with photocopies of certain sections that were very helpfulfor the rest of the members. This book helps you want to get rid of theanorexic thoughts. You will be much happier while on the road of recovery.Letting go of the obsessive thoughts that come with anorexia was the bestthing I have ever done.

Very Effective Guidance for Those Struggling with Anorexia
Hall advises, "The first step in recovery from anorexia is simply to choose life."Echoing that decision in her own epiphany, Ostroff observes that women she knew who had recovered had in common that "they accepted whothey were.They knew how to herald their successes, be patient with theirflaws, and gentle with their pain."From these compassionate insights intothe turning point in one of the most enigmatic disorders of our day, thesetwo survivors chart the path to healing in this extraordinarily helpfulbook.Straight answers to common questions about anorexia and practicaladvice on all aspects of the recovery process sandwich a frank personalaccount in a well-balanced presentation of fact, support, and guidance.

Ifound of particular value two chapters speaking straight to the anorectic:one section devoted to what has worked for many others who have won thebattle; and another section on how to remain committed to recovery. Concrete ideas, exercises, and insights are given, all written in thelanguage of those familiar with the territory, sharing a love and hope thatis nothing short of nutrition for the starving heart.I feel I can give nogreater praise for this book than to acknowledge that it will save andchange many lives. ... Read more

Book Description
Winner of four major awards, this updated edition of Joan Jacobs Brumberg's Fasting Girls, presents a history of women's food-refusal dating back as far as the sixteenth century. Here is a tableau of female self-denial: medieval martyrs who used starvation to demonstrate religious devotion, "wonders of science" whose families capitalized on their ability to survive on flower petals and air, silent screen stars whose strict "slimming" regimens inspired a generation. Here, too, is a fascinating look at how the cultural ramifications of the Industrial Revolution produced a disorder that continues to render privileged young women helpless. Incisive, compassionate, illuminating, Fasting Girls offers real understanding to victims and their families, clinicians, and all women who are interested in the origins and future of this complex, modern and characteristically female disease. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fun Informational Read

This book was very well done.

I had previously read a book like it called "From Fasting Saints to Anorexic Girls" which was written in the manner of a stuffy academic. At first I was afraid this book might turn out to be the same but thankfully I read the reviews on it and decided to give it a try.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an eating disorder or interested in the history of the relationship between women and their bodies.

Stunning!
I never knew there was a history of girls refusing to eat. This book starts all the way back from Midevial times up until the 1980's, when the book was written. I found it extremely fascinating. I would reccommend this book to anyone with an eating disorder, people who are into psychology or history, or just if you are looking for a great non-fiction book. Do not pass this one up!

Absolutely fascinating
This book was totally absorbing.I didn't want to put it down.Who would have thought that such a terrible disease would have its origin in the Medievel church, as women starved themselves for their beliefs and to become (as they believed) holy.But, like most things under the sun, it's all been done before, so there really shouldn't be any surprise that self-starvation has a very long history.

I really enjoyed the histories of the individual "fasting girls."And Ms. Brumberg's description of the Victorian middle class was priceless and eye opening, considering how that era is so romantizied by a lot of us today.

The book revealed so much about how culture (present and past) shapes our opinions of ourselves, especially us women.Reading the book brought out my anger that society and culture expect women to have "perfect" bodies..."perfect" everything, and the pressure that is on us, both as teenagers and adults.

I recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about anorexia nervosa and its history.There is a great deal of fascinating information.Just keep your dictionary handy to look up all the medical terms Brumberg quotes (and for some of her own words as well).My only disappointment in the book was that it ended too abruptly.Her book had me hooked, and then, finally, it had to end.I think there is a great deal more to be said about this disease, and I hope that she keeps up with the history and maybe writes another volume.Kudos to you, Ms. Brumberg.Very well done.

Incredible insight into a perplexing disorder...
I've become an avid reader of medical history. When in medical school for my degree in neuroscience, my favorite class was one that dealt with the neurological basis of psychiatric disorders. The professor had MDs come in with a patient with a particular problem (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, anorexia) and we would have the opportunity to listen to them tell their own story and their frustrations with their illness.

When they brought in a girl who was probably 5'8" and weight 78 pounds, it was fascinating to see the guys in the class who were normally very vocal and aggressive, totally shut up! From behind she looked like someone from a Nazi concentration camp, yet she continued to consider herself 'fat'. When she left, the MD had the nerve to turn around and tell the boys, that basically...anorexia was the fault of men. All of us were stunned. He put up an obviously much used power point slide showing the weights of women in both Playboy magazines and in the Miss USA pageant from the beginning to that year (1997). The line was steep and steady from the upper left-hand corner of the slide to the bottom right corner of the slide. This was the change in weight of the women who were participating in these 'endeavors' that the MD said were run by men (it was a male MD). Then he went further and said...most women's magazines are still mainly male bastions, as is the fashion industry both here and in Europe. The men in the class were absolutely horrified (and the women were thrilled that someone had the nerve to say this to them!)

This outstanding book is a must read for anyone going into psychology, neuroscience, working with adolescents, education, public health, etc. I've read few books with such deep understanding as to the history and ramifications of social mores on young women and girls. Since I am a mother and a grandmother of girls, I have been truly horrified at picking up Bazaar magazine in the doctor's office and seeing what they are promoting as being beautiful. I told them to remove that magazine, because the models in it were way beyond Twiggy-skinny. When society promotes models whose bones are showing through their pelvic in whatever they wear, then something has gone desparately wrong in our society.

I am not a feminist per se, but I do believe in equal rights for all. Yet, viewing this particular disorder is a feminist need, and Brumberg does that magnificently, without overdoing it or carping on feminist thinking. I wish more 'feminists' would express deep concern and become activists to change our society from it's obviously deep-seated biases towards what constitutes beauty, for the sake of our girls. This is definitely more important in controlling and curtailing than almost any other societal gender-related bias...because it is literally killing our young women.

Brumberg's ability to write medical history is phenomenal. This is definitely one of the finest books I've read in this genre. Her research is meticulous; I was surprised and impressed with the sheer amount of information she provides concerning this problem during the 19th century. Many in the medical profession still believe that this disorder is something brought on by our society in the 20th century, but she shows that anorexia has been with us for a long time. I highly recommend this book!
Karen SAdler,
Science Education,
University of Pittsburgh

Fascinating, Stunning
This book brings up the issue of a modern subject, and takes it all the way back through the pages of history.It is a stunning account of the history of anorexia as it was once considered to be miraculous fasting: the utter paradox of a living being existing without food.Anorexic girls seem to transcend into a new evolution from symbolizing spiritual exaultment to the modern beauty ideal.A very interesting read, a must read for anyone interested in an in depth look at the disorder, and frankly for anyone with a daughter- to better understand her world and how it came to be. ... Read more

Book Description
"Something changes. It's so sudden it's like a bus has charged down the road and hit me straight in the face. I have a plan. I could lose weight."All Jasmine Harwood has ever wanted is a true friend, a best friend. But Corisande isn't trustworthy. In fact, sometimes Corisande doesn't act like she wants to be Jasmine's friend at all. With Cori's bullying, almost everyday turns into hell. That is until Jasmine finds an escape...A dangerous world begins. A world of anorexia and silence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Needs Work
The beginning of the book moved too quickly at times (which made the book unrealistic) and some things were unclear.

However from the middle of the book on, it became suprisingly profound. If the beginning of the book had been better it would have desearved 4 or 5 stars.

Having an eating disorder myself I was able to identify and be somewhat inspired by the main character. Overall I was to some degree disapointed (especially that the quality of the book didn't match the price when it cost $14.15), but enjoyed reading The Echo Glass.

Realistic approach
I am not a teenager but as I have an interest in anorexia I decided to read this book.

It follows three years of Jasmine's life (as EDd people know, an ED does not come and go in a short period of time). She faces emotional bullying and as a result struggles to deal with life. She then falls into the trap of anorexia without really realising or understanding it.

There are some stunning scenes that had me at the edge of my seat unable to put the book down. It becomes apparent at the end of the novel what `the echo glass' actually stands for (there are various suggestions throughout which makes you think you've worked it out earlier but the real meaning comes later). Once Jasmine understands what the Echo Glass is the way is made clear for a possible step towards recovery. I felt that this was very important. The book realistically deals with an eating disorder and as a result does not have the cliched `happy ending,' (as many are aware these certainly don't occur over night!) The hint of optimism and a possible way forward are apparent but we are never sure if Jasmine takes this route or not (though the ending is far from depressing as we feel Jasmine has a new understanding). What we do know is that she has learnt what it is inside her and that she has the support of true friends.

I feel that this is a very important book and the imagery gives real depth. It is not only realistic in its dealings with eating disorders and bullying but it gives insight into the way that EDd people think. It also dealt with therapy in an interesting and thought-provoking way.

All in all I would recommend this book.
... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Do not bother reading this book.
This book typifies the problem of our patriarchal society.Not only is it poorly researched, but I find the writing self-indulgent and empty. Bell's understanding (or lack there of) of anorexia is insulting to humanity.

The present as window on the past
Bell compares modern descriptions of anorexia nervosa with the recorded behavior of some of the best-known Italian female saints from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. He argues that Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, and other holy women were not only victims of a disease, but also in a way victims of a medieval Christian culture which allowed young women no other way to experience the disease's effects than as symptoms of religious fervor.

Bell's attitude toward his sources is capricious - sometimes he treats his medieval sources as literal truth, sometimes as distorted, agenda-ridden hagiography. They are, undoubtedly, a bit of both.Nonetheless, it is obvious that these holy women were more likely than their male counterparts to practice ascetic - even bizarre - food rituals in lieu or excess of other ascetic behavior. In this respect, Bell's book necessarily suffers in comparison with Caroline Walker Bynum's _Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women_, for Bynum spends a great more deal of time considering the phenomenon of female fasting in the both its broad medieval and specific Christian contexts. Still, Bell's argument for a connection between the rise of "holy anorexia" and the development of the mendicant orders is an intriguing bit of historical cause and effect.

Bell's methodology suggests that the "bizarre" behavior of women so removed from our own time is actually very familiar. While the argument itself falls flat at times, he does shed new light on an issue which could otherwise too easily be dismissed as spiritual excess.

Holy Anorexia
This book is an excellent historic study of women possesed with piety, most of these women were nuns from the 14-15th century.They expressed a dedication to Christ through an aesthetic lifestyle that includedstarvation, self-inflicted torture, mystical hallucinations and extremeself-denial.The women who starved to death gained a martyr like status. A facinating book! ... Read more

Book Description
The synthesis of forty years of pioneering work by the world's leading authority on the emotional aspects of eating disorders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very Comprehensive
This book accurately described the cognitive processes that lead to and are present in someone with an eating disorder.Several case histories on individuals with anorexia nervosa and obesity are present, but you won't find much information on bulimia.If you are or have suffered from anorexia or are struggling with obesity, this book will contain lots of relevent and useful information and you will understand your condition much better. This book is thick but does not read like a text book.I recommend it to ANYONE with an eating disorder.

unique insight
Studies today revolve around body image and ignore the emotions and thoght processes vital to understanding eating disorders. Bruch brilliantly describes what it is to suffer from these wayward thought processes, andoffers an incredibly insightful and intimate look into the world of ananorexic. Excellent for those who are suffers and for those trying tounderstand. ... Read more

Book Description
A journey within the hearts and bodies of those fighting anorexia/bulimia.

This book takes readers inside the minds, bodies, and feelings of anorexic patients and tells the stories of those who have successfully fought back from this disease. Through first-person narratives, readers get a rarely seen look inside this disease. Anyone who has suffered from anorexia/bulimia, or who has had a loved one struggle with it, will benefit from the insights in this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Buy This Book!!
This is an exceptionally well written book which serves as an excellent resource for those seeking recovery or for anyone trying to better understand what it's like to battle an eating disorder.

Reader Review
This is just an awesome book.As a recovering anorexic, i have found this book not only hopeful and inspiring, but helpful and fascinating.It has made me think of my eating disorder in a whole new way.Instead of talking about afflicted people as "sick," it refers to "insiders" and discusses a way of thinking where one views their disorder as separate from themself, rather than who they are.It's fascinating and i highly reccommend it for people suffering from an eating disorder, those who are recovered, friends and family of sufferers, and just anyone who has an interest.great!

Highly recommended
As someone who has struggled with anorexia for over half my life, I have often found myself reading anything on anorexia I could lay my hands on; desperately searching for the reassurance that comes from knowing one is not alone in one's experiences, as well as for some elusive insight that might assist me in resisting anorexia's stranglehold over my life.Yet frequently I have come away from such reading feeling dissatisfied and disheartened.Not so with 'Biting the Hand that Starves You'; in this book I found so much of what I had been searching for and a whole lot more.

While the authors are not the first professionals to draw on `insider knowledges' (the knowledges of people with first-hand experiences of anorexia/bulimia), the prominence and the respect accorded to such knowledges is unprecedented.The result is a book that speaks compellingly of anorexia/bulimia, and crucially, does so in a manner that is never patronising, pathologising or didactical.

Providing exciting new ways of thinking and speaking about anorexia/bulimia, the book engenders a sense of hope - a 'commodity' that is often desperately lacking, yet so vital when it comes to resisting anorexia/bulimia.

I highly recommend the book to all readers, from those struggling with anorexia/bulimia, to their family and friends, and health professionals.

Waiting for this Great Book!
I only wish that Rick, David, and Ali had written this book years ago! Because Biting the Hand that Starves You would have been an incredible source of information, motivation, and hope when I was desperately struggling in the depths of my eating disorder.

I was thrilled to see that the book vividly illustrates the vicious dialogue that occurs between the eating disorder and the individual who suffers with it. Throughout my recovery, psychotherapist and author Thom Rutledge encouraged me to practice this very dialogue between my true self (Jenni) and my eating disorder (`Ed') over and over again, which was crucial to my finding the amazing freedom I experience today.

Biting the Hand that Starves You includes many uplifting, inspirational personal accounts that reveal people can and do beat anorexia/bulimia! Within the book, the authors compassionately share how you can really make practical steps to join the ranks of those who already walk that path of independence.

Unlike many other books, Biting the Hand that Starves You goes a step beyond just focusing on how to recover from specific eating disordered behaviors. It also talks about moving on and reclaiming your life --- providing great insight on overcoming perfectionism, taking risks, and even pursuing dreams and passions.

This is one book that I am glad I came across on the shelves of eating disorder literature. I just wish it would have appeared a little bit sooner!

Jenni Schaefer, author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too (McGraw-Hill)

Extraordinary book
Biting the Hand that Starves You is a very special book that it likely to change the way you view eating disorders.It contains many first hand accounts of women's struggles to free themselves from the ways bulimia and anorexia control their lives.And it maps out the nature of this control, which is beyond the attempt to control food and weight--it's tied to societial messages about how women should behave (take care of others, be nice to everyone, perform well in many arenas, etc.).The book is primarily written for therapists but will be helpful to others affected by bulimia and anorexia. ... Read more

Amazon.com
What makes Claude-Pierre's treatment of anorexia and bulimia revolutionary? Perhaps it's that the astonishingly high success rate of even the most chronic cases at Claude-Pierre's Montreux Clinic (only sufferers near death who have not been helped by doctors and hospitals are admitted) defies the common misconception that eating disorders are incurable. Claude-Pierre has made a personal commitment to dispel this damaging myth. Having cured her own two daughters of anorexia, you might say hers was a vested interest. The Secret Language of Eating Disorders reveals the details of Claude-Pierre's unique program.

Myths and misconceptions have shaped conventional treatment of anorexia and bulimia, leading to a cycle of hopelessness for those who suffer. Claude-Pierre's work reveals that victims share a common feeling of self-contempt. Further, she asserts that these overwhelming feelings of worthlessness are established at birth and slowly erode the healthy self. The revolutionary aspect of Claude-Pierre's program stems from her conviction that this negative mindset can be completely reversed.

The book describes the five stages of recovery, discusses the challenges peculiar to working with them at home, and presents a plan for working with health professionals. Also offered are stories of former Montreux patients, adding insight and depth to understanding these disorders. The book and the program have already saved many lives and will continue to do so.Book Description
Self-Help/Women's Health

Acclaim for Peggy Claude-Pierre's
The Secret Language of Eating Disorders

"Peggy Claude-Pierre has gone beyond the surface of eating disorders to discover their true causes and then present a valid and healing path. In this extremely constructive book, she offers incredible insights into the mind of the sufferer and the myths of eating disorders."      --Keith J. Karren, Ph.D.,
Department Chair, Health Sciences,
Brigham Young University

"Peggy Claude-Pierre is a warrior--ferocious and relentless--whose work has rescued a decade of sufferers."                        --Edward Feller, M.D., F.A.C.P.,
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine,
Brown University School of Medicine

"Peggy Claude-Pierre has created a paradigm shift in the way we view and treat anorexia. Peggy has shifted the focus of care from that of controlling the symptoms of disordered eating to healing the negativity that would otherwise plague the individual for the rest of his or her life. I have developed the utmost respect for her, for I realize that she has translated the secret language of anorexia. Now it is up to us to use the knowledge she has revealed."
--Daniel J. Smith, M.D.

"Peggy Claude-Pierre's work begins where attachment to the limiting obstacles of theory end. She has brought back from the dead many young lives the world deemed hopeless. . . . There are many who possess the title of 'doctor' who have never come close to her incredible example of the selfless healer."
--Craig T. Pratt, M.D.,
Chief, Division of Addiction Medicine,
Grant-Riverside Methodist Hospital ... Read more

Customer Reviews (60)

If You're Struggling and Need Help...
Are you seeking an answer?

Though this Book isn't a "cure all", it does answer some questions you may have. Questions such as:

"Why do I/my daughter/my son/my wife hate herself?"
"What can I do to help myself (or him/her)?"
"What have others done that may apply to me (or him/her)?"
"What methods/actions should I take to help my/their future?"
etc etc...

This book is pretty big (not huge) but it's pact full of useful information. Peggy even shares information of the many rehabilitation center's she has set up in and around the country and shares success stories of her own patients (without disclosing their names).

Having gone through this struggle myself in High School (when I bought the book), and even re-reading this book to date - it still sits on my shelf where it will remain because it IS useful. It does give life-changing information that WILL help you.

If you have a question about eating disorders, it has the answer. :)

Absolutely Insightful
Working on recovery of my own, I found this book wonderfully validating and insightful.I never knew that others had the same thoughts that consumed my mind and not only did this book show me that others were out there, it showed me there were people in this world who not only understood those girls but who even loved those girls unconditionally.

Although unable to finish the book since I am unable to deem myself somehow worthy of ridding myself of this ED, I have shared it with those closest with me to try to help them understand where I am coming from and what I am struggling with.

I know others bash this author for not having formal training - but no matter what I say she has absolutly amazing insight into the Eating Didsordered mind.

A friend to the isolated
I found this book a light in the dark.Claude-Pierre writes with extreme sensitivity and empathy on a killer disease which in fact kills because its victims are so sensitive.She manages to articulate on what others seem to miss i.e. that anorexia is not merely about feeling fat, or having a distorted body image but correctly identifies the 'other voice' as being the real poison within the sufferer.This book gave me the strength to get well and I know that other sufferers will find in it a source of real help and comfort.Words alone cannot praise this book enough.Suffers and non-sufferers alike must read it.

The Secrets Exposed
Author Claude-Pierre explains in layman's terms the mechanics of eating disorders. This greatly helped me to understand the mindset of the sufferer and seriousness of these types of disorders. The book offers a through explanation of symptoms, who is at risk, treatment, advice and support to family and friends of sufferers. In addition, there are some excellent references for reading materials and websites for help and support.

Not The Best
This book misrepresents eating disorders and makes eating disorder sufferers almost seem psychotic. The author is very inexperienced with eating disorders and only has her word to back up her statements. She puts down eating disorder facts that have proven to be true for many of us that have suffered with eating disorders. The one good thing about the book is how she encourages treating victims of eating disorders with love and compassion and her methodsmay work with some individuals, yet I have talked to those that have said that working with her was a terrible experience. I think her kindness is what drew her clients. She states that her way is the only way to help anorexics which ignores the fact that people are individuals. And she ignores the fact that other therapists besides her have had a high success rate and she puts down therapies that have helped me and many others. Some of her theories almost seemmystical. Almost like those with eating disorders are saints or psychics of some sort.It is good to note that her clinic was closed down for operating without a license.
... Read more

Product Description
Inside Anorexia provides valuable insight into the experiences and challenges faced by teenage girls with anorexia and their families.
The authors use the stories of individuals and their families as a starting point for understanding the issues associated with anorexia including: physical effects, the effect on siblings and parents, related psychiatric problems, causes and treatment. Useful fact boxes in each story provide an overview of current knowledge from a variety of disciplines as well as new findings from the authors' own research into anorexia nervosa.
Inside Anorexia is an accessible resource for anyone who wants a better understanding of anorexia nervosa. It will be an informative guide for health professionals as well as for people with anorexia and their families. ... Read more

Book Description
Feeding Anorexia challenges prevailing assumptions regarding the notorious difficulty of curing anorexia nervosa. Through a vivid chronicle of treatments at a state-of-the-art hospital program, Helen Gremillion reveals how the therapies participate unwittingly in culturally dominant ideals of gender, individualism, physical fitness, and family life that have contributed to the dramatic increase in the incidence of anorexia in the United States since the 1970s. She describes how strategies including the meticulous measurement of patients' progress in terms of body weight and calories consumed ultimately feed the problem, not only reinforcing ideas about the regulation of women's bodies, but also fostering in many girls and women greater expertise in the formidable constellation of skills anorexia requires. At the same time, Gremillion shows how contradictions and struggles in treatment can help open up spaces for change.

Feeding Anorexia is based on fourteen months of ethnographic research in a small inpatient unit located in a major teaching and research hospital in the western United States. Gremillion attended group, family, and individual therapy sessions and medical staff meetings; ate meals with patients; and took part in outings and recreational activities.She also conducted over one hundred interviews-with patients, parents, staff, and clinicians.Among the issues she explores are the relationship between calorie-counting and the management of consumer desire; why the "typical" anorexic patient is middle-class and white; the extent to which power differentials among clinicians, staff, and patients model "anorexic families"; and the potential of narrative therapy to constructively reframe some of the problematic assumptions underlying more mainstream treatments.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent
With the surfeit of publications on eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, from a psychological and biomedical standpoint Helen Gremillion's Feeding Anorexia is both a refreshing and much needed addition to the literature on eating disorders. Through observations of a small adolescent inpatient eating disorder unit in the Western United States Gremillion uses ethnography to deconstruct the many facets of the unit including interactions among the staff, clinicians, patients and their families. Her "outsider" perspective allows for a unique critique of the treatment facility she observed. Gremillion's distinctive approach is a shift from the traditional route of analyzing "patient pathology" she instead focuses on the patient as a player in a complex power structure. She convincingly argues that some treatment programs for anorexia, despite their best efforts, reinforce aspects of anorexia by adding to the societal pressures on young women that are shaped by gender, fitness, self-control, and family dynamics. Gremillion's analysis not only breaks down problematic aspects of mainstream treatment, but also provides a brief introduction to a possible solution narrative therapy. Narrative therapy uses metaphor to establish a rapport between the patient and anorexia, separating the person from the disease. This externalization of anorexia can help individuals discover anorexia's voice and reveal its evil intentions, thus helping sufferers distinguish anorexia's influences from their own will. Examining the individuals relationship with anorexia also allows the client and family to develop a sense of responsibility for the extent to which anorexia influences them and thus a sense of control over it. As both a student and someone who has personally dealt with anorexia I have gained a great deal from reading Feeding Anorexia. I now have a new understanding of the theories and applications of medical anthropology and I have a new perspective on anorexia as a whole. Before reading Feeding Anorexia I accepted the common belief that the poor response among individuals to therapies and treatments for anorexia was due to the nature of the disorder. Now I see a broader picture of both the disorder and the means by which it is treated. In addition I was inspired to learn more about narrative therapy. Feeding Anorexia is sure to be a catalyst for discussion and controversy. It has already made me personally question, critique and analyze my own experience and has caused my thirst to understand eating disorders to increase. As she states, "a critique of psychiatric approaches to anorexia does not imply a disgruntled acceptance of the psychiatric status quo, or mere criticism." Accordingly Feeding Anorexia has caused me to focus my efforts on advocating for new treatment models and awareness. ... Read more

Book Description
Recovering sufferers of Anorexia Nervosa describe in their own words their personal experiences of this illness, providing not only support for fellow sufferers but also invaluable insights for the families of sufferers and for carers and professionals. In each case the contributors describe:

* the progression of their illness
* the effect on their families
* the treatment they received and its effectiveness
* their perceived reasons for developing the illness
* where they are now. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent
I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it. Not only is it useful to any sufferers or carers, but it is also an excellent book to educate people whose knowledge on the subject is very little.

The fact that the book is made up of a wide selection of sufferer's personal stories means that a very varied picture of the disease is painted. The editor has ensured that every gender and age is represented here, which helps to highlight the way in which Anorexia can effect many different people. People who are recovered, people who are still suffering, people who had fairly short experiences of the illness and people who had lengthy battles are all shown here.

I can find absolutely nothing to fault with this book. In a word, superb.

not bad, but expected better
I couldn't wait to get this book.I wanted to hear others' insights into their anorexia--I wanted to hear from others going through the same thing I am.It wasn't a bad book.Maybe I would have liked it more if it were one of the first books I read on eating disorders.Maybe now I'm too picky because I've read so many books.I just expected more from this one.It's a good read though, and I don't regret that I read it.It was good to hear from those who have conquered their anorexia as well as those who still battle through recovery.I do recommend that people read it even though I was a bit disappointed.

A different perspective
I think this book is important for ANYBODY involved with anorexia nervosa - not just the victim but also family and friends. The book gives you an incite into how other anorectics feel and think about the disease, and help one to understand the complexities lying behind anorexia. I highlyrecommend this book to read for a general understanding of feelings andemotions as well as a device for recovery. ... Read more

Book Description
Anorexics and bulimics are often lost for words.Most are women.They feel they have no way to communicate effectively. They have not found the words to express and name the turmoil of their experience to themselves or others.This leaves them in a world where neither food nor words can provide nourishment and sustenance. This book explores the nature of anorexia and bulimia, paying particular attention to the issues of mortality and the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship.It stresses the importance for technique of understanding the violent and agonising nature of these individuals' inner worlds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Loss for Words
Whew, this book left me confused and was returned to the library the next day. If you like to read about Freud and his ideas behind why we are Anorexic or Bulimic then you may like this. It also blames the mother for everything!

Drivel
This is one of the worst books on this topic that I have ever read.It is not well written, is hard to follow, and is so far out in left field that I couldn't finish it.I'm ashamed to say I even bought the book.The author needs to do some current research on the subject.This is a terrible book and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Insightful theories
This book has some very insightful theories on the development of anorexia.Well worth adding to your collection if you are interested in the topic.

Challenging, informative, "reader friendly" survey.
In Lost For Words, psychoanalytic psychotherapist Em Farrell presents achallenging and informative survey on the psychoanalysis of patientssuffering with anorexia or bulimia. After concluding his informativeintroduction, Farrell surveys our psychanalytic understands of theseconditions, then explores the body and "body products" astransitional objects and phenomena within the context of psychanalytictheory, details implications for psychotherapeutic techniques, andfinishing with an thought-provoking conclusion. Lost For Words is highlyrecommended reading on the subjects of anorexia and bulimia for students ofpsychology, as well as practicing counselors and clinical therapists. ... Read more

Book Description
`This brief and powerful book has very important things to say to a wider audience; to health care professionals, to therapists, and also to social scientists who deal with questions of femininity, the body, and poststructuralism' - Journal of Health Psychology

`A readable book that contains simplified information of some complicated concepts. It will prove of benefit to those readers in the field of women and social studies' - European Eating Disorders Review

The concepts presented in this book are carefully argued, succinctly organized, and genuinely stimulating.... It provokes clinicians to think about treatment and the effect of diagnostic practices, it provokes researchers to ask different questions, and it provokes students to read beyond dominant and conventional texts. This is a timely and important publication that deserves to feature prominently in the ongoing study of anorexia nervosa' - Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology

`This book is intelligent, well-written and thought provoking addition to current literature on eating disorders' - Feminism and Psychology

In this wide-ranging book, Julie Hepworth casts a critical light on our contemporary understanding of anorexia nervosa. She locates contemporary discourses of anorexia nervosa within their historical context, showing how current practices continue to be influenced by medicine, psychology, ideology and politics. She argues