Eating With Your Anorexic: A Mother's Memoir

We just got introduced to the world of anorexia and all of our misconceptions of the disease were blown right out of the water. In a frantic search for answers and support, I read about this book on a blog. I ordered it immediately, and it is worth every penny. I found myself looking forward to reading it each day as I connected so deeply and thoroughly with the author. I felt connected to her story and such relief from her experience. Thank you, Laura (even though that's not your name). This book has been a beacon of hope for our family. I hope to share in the same success as you soon.

My daughter recently fell into the dark pit of an ED. The maudsley approach (luckily) was one of the first sites I hit when searching the subject. This book read like my own personal story and it felt good to know I was not the only one dealing with the same types of things other families go thru during this time. If you are looking for direction, comfort, hope... read this book and read it as soon as you know you are dealing with an eating disorder situation.

I found myself nodding in recognition on almost every page of this book. The advice, the real life examples, and the message of hope - that we parents are our children's best chance at success - are indispensable. We are still in the thick of our battle with ED. But the "Stockdale Paradox" is in full effect: I have faith that we will prevail, regardless of the difficulties. AND at the same time we must confront the most brutal facts of our current reality, whatever they might be. Thank you for this gift, Laura!

Helped

Incredible and eye opening.

provided plenty of insight into a dramatic problem for any family

I did not find this book helpful.

Unfortunately, there is strikingly little insight or empathy in this book about the daughter’s actual feelings or her actual suffering. As other reviewers have noted, there is just an assumption that ‘mom knows best,’ everyone else needs to get out of the way, and recovery equals more calories. In reality, genuine and lasting recovery requires much more. If you are like me, you just end up feeling ever more sad for her daughter, whose internal world we never learn much about.The foreword, incidentally, I found deeply offensive. It is simply, I hate to say, some of the most shallow, irresponsible writing I have ever read on eating disorders. Here’s a quote: “The way the bodies of people with anorexia experience the world is backwards.” They apparently just adore starvation (or at least it doesn’t seem to bother them), “hate fatty foods” and are “totally inverted.” People suffering from bulimia feel “euphoric” making themselves vomit. None of that is true.Find books that are insightful and compassionate instead. If you are a parent of a child with an eating disorder, please, do them and yourself a favor and skip this one. I would recommend instead “When Food is Family,” which it meant to help families and their loved one’s in recovery.

Informative, gives reasurance

Great book. Makes you realize your not alone. She expressed many of my own frustrations, battles and anguish. I am only hoping my/our outcome will be as rewarding and good as her family's.

This book was helpful to me. My daughter has anorexia. The book arrived quickly.