Anorexic

I could not put this book down. Her story is one that I will probably never forget. ED's start for many different reasons. For Anna, the abuse she endured and the use of anorexia as a coping mechanism, to me, was hardcore. I finished the book respecting this woman and hoping for years of happiness and joy for her (and Simon)!

In Anorexic, Anna Paterson quietly but unflinchingly tells the story of the years of hell she experienced, first as a child with a truly twisted and cruel grandmother who tormented her, and later as her anorexia tormented her until she slowly, courageously began to take the firt faltering steps toward recovery. There are candid photos sprinkled throughout the book, and in all of them, Anna looks like such a sweet and gentle woman (a real English rose), it almost seems impossible that she felt compelled to punish her body by starving, because she thought she was worthless; or rather, something in her relentlessly told her that. The cover photo of Anna in profile is real. I don't cry at books, but this one made me want to. Anna's prose is modest and reserved, but simple and direct. In the book Anna also tells a second story, that of meeting the man who helped her realized her own worth as she helped him with his own issues. These two people were each other's miracle. Neither turned the other into a completely different person; that doesn't happen. But together, I think (and hope) they will be each other's strength for a lot of years to come.

As years have passed, those concerned with EDs, and where they "come from" have come to realize that initial theories concerning "overly protective parents" is only one of the sets of circumstances which an ED can be formed in response to. Abuse is another way, and a particular form of abuse, and its toxic effects, forms the core of this story. As another reviewer mentioned, parts of this book do get a bit "harrowing", not so much from the physical dangers Annas' ED brings about, but rather from the standpoint of....the twisted and clearly sadistic emotional abuse Anna (and her family)is subjected to by her Grandmother. Abuse purposely designed to erradicate any authentic sense-of-self that Anna might try to develop....and of a sort argueably even more creepy and emotionally corrosive than if she had been physically beaten. The story concerens Anna's and the rest of the familys' attempts to confront and escape the influence of this evil woman, and to come to terms with the mental damage she has caused not only Anna, but every one of them. Anna herself is a wonderful individual, and has gone on to individualy help and encourage many others who fight their own EDs. This book never recieved distribution in the US, so shipping can be a bit delayed if you live in the States. But if you suspect that emotional abuse may have played a role in the development of your own ED, you will probably want to take a look at this book.

"Anorexic" was a very positive book that reflected my experience of suffering from the illness very closely. It showed the damage caused by childhood abuse and the incredible lows of this life threatening disorder. But it also demonstrates the power of love and that recovery is difficult but possible.A book I would recommend to casual readers interested in true life stories and sufferers alike. A story that really stays with you.

Anna Paterson's life story shows the struggles that eating disorder sufferers go through. It is a book about how she dealt with her childhood abuse and how she developed severe life threatening anorexia.However, despite being harrowing in places, it is hopeful and finally uplifting. As with all her books, Ms Paterson shows the reader that there is a way out and leaves them with real hope. Highly recommended.