Conquering Anorexia

The author of this book was herself a sufferer of anorexia nervosa, and she takes the reader through the stages of her life from childhood to adulthood, focusing on her personal battle with the illness. The book introduces a few basic facts regarding the incidence of anorexia nervosa; after that it focuses solely to the author’s own experience. Initially, the book explores the author’s childhood and reasons why she believes she suffered from anorexia nervosa, particularly the role her family and friends played. It then examines specific treatments that the author received, including seeing a psychiatrist and a counsellor. The book then takes the form of a diary, titled “A step‐by‐step explanation of recovery”. Here, the author notes both the course of treatment, and the feelings and expectations brought about by the whole process. Finally, at the end of the book, there are examples of self‐help methods which the reader can use to refer back to the author’s diary and see how she used a particular strategy herself.

Overall the book is very interesting and allows the reader to gain a clear insight into the mind of one sufferer of anorexia nervosa. It explores all aspects of this person’s life, not just merely the illness. The book seems to have been written mainly as a self‐help tool, with the purpose of helping other people in a similar situation, and is therefore lacking the kind of facts and definitions which may be useful and often necessary for a novice to this field. However, it is clearly an invaluable resource for someone who may themselves be a sufferer of anorexia nervosa, with the potential to offer support and encouragement to enable an individual to make the first step towards seeking help.