Diary of an Eating Disorder: A Mother and Daughter Share Their Healing Journey

This book is wonderful. Chelsea tells you exactly what she was feeling at different stages of her disorder. She knew what she was doing was awful, but the disease was stronger than she was at times. I also liked this book because it tells a more complete story. Chelsea takes you through her treatment, how that felt, and also how scared she was of relapsing. She had tremendous determination to get better. I like the insight from her mother as well.

This diary unlocks a door for the reader which opens into the barren, desolate and lonely land of eating disorders. From the outside, Chelsea appears the epitomy of success and happiness yet within, she is struggling to live. As she travels the rollercoaster ride of bulimia and anorexia, the reader experiences with her the extreme emotions which propel her along the deadly tracks. We watch her recovery and share in that happiness with, although the struggle against a relapse is still difficult. An afterword, added in a few years time, would be much enjoyed; I hope that then this courageous young women will have found deserved peace.

This is a beatiful book written REAL and exactly how it is. The author expresses feelings throughout wich really touched me. After all ,aren't these dieases about feelings rather than food. Her battle with with anorexia & bulemia is something that I know alot of people fight each day in secret. I really admire her honesty. I know this book will be left out so I can pick it up & read it during times I feel alone or like noone could understand. It's amazing to know each suffers situation is so similar. To the author....thank you so much! After reading so many books written by Dr's, etc. it's great to find a book I feel REALLY describes what one goes thru. I cried so often throughout your journal, I had to put it down off & on so it took me awhile to read it. But it felt so good, and actually helpd me in alot of ways to feel OK about my feelings.

Chelsea had an accurate portrayal of an eating disorder victim. She was able to put all those feelings into words. It was amazing. Her book can help so many victims. We all suffer from self-hatred and some times we fall into an evil trap. By sharing her experience, she lets others know that they are not alone in their struggle. I saw the picture of Chelsea and I thought she was so beautiful. I don't know how she ever thought she was ugly. I guess we all have a distorted view of ourselves. But she has a beautiful smile, gorgeous eyes, perfect nose, and porcelain skin.

A must-read for anyone who has ever turned self-hatred toward her or his body and for everyone who loves such a person. This book is so raw and daring, so sharp and grasping that I could feel it in my throat during the whole reading. The one word that most demands to be mentioned is "right." Both Smith and Runyon have done the entire public a tremendous service with the publication of this diary. Readers follow Smith's actual accounts during her two-year sink into bulimia and anorexia, as well as her superhuman struggle in recovery to see the incredibly sensitive and compelling woman she is. At times her eye seems almost too clear and her prose too precise to believe; how can she see the feelings inside of herself and express them verbally with such exactitude and not know how great her gift for depiction and honesty is? I read it once and immediately read it again. Smith's words act as a soothing balm for anyone struggling to free him- or herself from the bonds of self hatred. I would like to personally thank Smith for her courageous gift to us all, as well as her mother Beverly Runyon for the insight she offers loved ones in her personal interludes throughout the book. Bless the Lord for putting them both on this earth.