The Secret Language of Eating Disorders : How You Can Understand and Work to Cure Anorexia and Bulimia

Customer Reviews

When I first starting reading the book, I was pretty amazed at her observations of the anorexia mindset and her theories of how it is a "symptom" of a much more powerful disorder called CNC, rather than a primal cause of itself and/or many other self-deprecating disorders. They had me enthralled, to say the least. But...as I read on I couldn't help but notice that despite being in the title, bulimia somehow seemed barely addressed (except by a few textbook or case study descriptions). Having suffered both (as MANY people often do), I couldn't help but feel a void where bulimia was concerned. It still seems that no one can offer up an entire book of interesting AND valid solutions for the elusive one---bulimia. Personally, I think the perils of bulimia are just as (if not more) horrific than those of anorexia. But yet...Peggy doesn't seem to have an answer. I have to ask when reading this, what if conquering eating is no longer a triumph, but a new and devastating penance to bear? What happens when your body is no longer feeding on itself physically, but the disease is all the more voracious with your mind? Where is the cure for the addiction?

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that bulimia continues to be overshadowed by or maybe not seen as dire as anorexia. It is the more shameful of the two, yes, and it is often passed off as a phase during college that has no emotional attachment whatsoever. There are always exceptions to the rule, but when you are trapped in the hopelessness of something that seems impossible to beat, it is hurtful to hear people around you toss the word 'bulimia' around to every girl who goes to the bathroom.

In her book, Peggy describes anorexia as a very slow attempted suicide, a descent toward nothingness---I agree. Anorexia is not a diet, it is not a shallow attempt to be "model thin", and it is definitely not just about food. Many anorexics, including myself, do not wish to see any number except 0 on our bodies and souls. Peggy does a good job in clearing up such perceived notions. But again, she doesn't realize that bulimia is not necessarily the same slow suicide. It is suicide of the mind far before anything else. Bulimia makes you want to finish the job...and quickly. The fear that it is all your life will ever be is torturous. See, this is what she leaves out.

Also, I found her to come off very pompous and a bit condescending at times, despite her claims to not be that way. It just seems that she envisions herself to be the Godsend, the Cure-all, the Miracle Worker...and I just don't buy it. It is forgivable, though, because I have read many books on the subject, and they all seem to be that way. I guess it's unavoidable in such a situation. Or, maybe I'm just still disappointed and bitter that I cannot find anyone who is adamant like she seems to be about the situation. I guess confidence like she has can be misconstrued with self-righteousness when you think the way I have to.

Similar Products