Customer Reviews

It's Not About the Weight: Attacking Eating Disorders from the Inside Out

5 star:		(13)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is an excellent read for anyone who struggles with an ED, or knows someone who does, or who just wants to understand ED's better. The author communicates psychological terms into layman's words, so that the concepts as to why human beings develop eating disorders are very understandable and easy to grasp. In a very personable, compassionate, and often humorous way, she dictates how eating disorders are NOT about weight or food, but much deeper, hidden issues and internal conflicts that have often been going on subconsciously for years inside the minds of those who suffer.

As a survivor of anorexia in the maintenance phase, I am all to familiar with this struggle. I grow so weary of talk shows and magazine covers that turn eating disorder sufferers into "freak shows." The world still has a long way to go in understanding this type of disorder! I applaud Mendelsohn's efforts and courage to bring this topic out of the closet and discuss it in a very frank yet understandable way. This is a fantastic read which I highly recommend to anyone!

Dr. Mendelsohn's new book does what no book has ever done before. It looks at ALL eating disorders from the inside. She touches the souls of those who suffer from an ED by sharing her own personal story. This is the first book I've read that I felt did not glorify or scold people who are living with ED's. If you are living with an ED and want to understand what its about, and why its not your fault- READ THIS BOOK!

I think Dr. Susie Mendelsohn does a fabulous job of drawing the reader in and making everything understandable in such a way that they can take the new information gleaned and start making real changes in their life. Some of the concepts discussed are not necessarily new but presented in a way that not only makes sense but seem viable to actually implement. The prevalence of eating disorders is alarmingly high, and it's very difficult to reach into the minds and touch the hearts of those silently suffering with Ed, day in and day out. As the reader you KNOW the author actually undertands the facets of each eating disorder and so has this marked ability to speak to each person reading the book. And, if you are not a sufferer but a friend or a parent of one, I think this book would also be very helpful in gaining a new perspective on what is going on. As a personal Ed sufferer in recovery, it was a joy to read this book. It not only empowered me in that moment and that day, but stayed with me to help me have the courage to fight. It helped me realize that I have the power to be in control and I can say no to being a victim. I'm far from perfect but keeping a positive attitude and holding onto my control, while actually believing I do have a great deal of control over my own health and life, has made a huge difference in getting my freedom back. To all you suffering out there, there is hope and the greatest defeat would be letting Ed take over your identity and your life. Each and every one of you are worth it, you are worth a fighting chance, and you matter. It may sound cheesy but if you think about it, it's true. And as the book says, it's not about the weight... when will the world understand?!!!

This book is an excellent learning tool for people with, or without an eating disorder. It really shows the depth and inside scoop about eating disorders. Although we think it's all about how "skinny" someone is, Susie shows us how it's not about the weight, its what's inside that's killing us. Not only does this book have statistics, and basic health issues caused by eating disorders , it also discusses many of the emotional and mental issues involved. It is a very interesting book to read, as Susan shares her story, and where she has been,as she tries to help all of us to recover, or simply understand. With many great words of advice, in this one little book, you get a "mini" therapy. It is so important to be educating people about eating disorders, and this book expresses all the facts, without ever getting boring!!

I was hesitant to purchase this book assuming it would be just another explanation of eating disorders with a dab of personal experience. But from the start of this very accurate, very informative book, Dr. Susie makes this a completely different reading experience. She teaches readers about classical conditioning, operant conditioning, etc. but does so in a way that even those with no psychology background can understand what these things are. Dr. Susie also sprinkles humor throughout making you smile while being educated. Her personal story, however, is far from humorous. Like so many of us, she lived with an eating disorder for years and admits right from the beginning that she still has an ED. As a patient and a future professional psychologist, I am completely amazed at Dr. Susie's ability to empower individuals to recover. Her energy and wisdom resonates right into your mind and body. Thanks Dr. Susie for your words, your inspiration, and your complete willingness to help those with EDs recover. This is a definate read for anyone with an eating disorder, for family and friends of those who struggle, and for those persuing a professional degree in psychology.

After reading all the positive reviews for this book, I was pretty disappointed in the book....I found the book overly simplistic (she assumes the reader has zero knowledge about either psychology or eating disoders, which I would imagine is not true of most readers) and also found "Dr. Susie's" need to constantly pour out overly dramatic details from her own life somewhat annoying. I felt like she was having a written therapy session with the reader, only I didn't sign up to be her therapist. And I found her "just change your attitude and all will be OK" mantra a little silly. That being said, there were some good nuggets in there if you just kept reading; in particular, the quotes at the end of each chapter from her patients were helpful. All in all, I wouldn't recommend buying this book given the enormous number of other books out there on the subject.

This is a sensational book for anyone that has an eating disorder or has a family member with an eating disorder. As a mom ,with a daughter who has been courageously fighting her eating disorder for the past 15 months, I have been reading every book on eating disorders and this is the first book I couldn't put down ...Dr. Susie talks about "triggers" and for the first time I understood what that term was really about. Her intelligence, enthusiam and first hand experience on this disorder is very prevalent throughout the book.She gives hope, encouragement along with information and coping mechanisms. One of a kind!!!! I also have had the pleasure to meet her.....she is as devoted, caring and knowledgeable as her book portrays. I will actively recommend her book to anyone I talk to about this terrible disease.

Dr. Susie not only is able to help others with this life-threatening illness, She is also able to empathize with each and every one of her patients. I know this from experience because I have been seeing her for the past year. She not only spends all her time at the office, she often spends many hours outside the office doing anything and everything she can to help her patients. She is fantastic and we are all very lucky to hear this womans amazing life story, the obstacles she has overcome and how she evolved into the wonderful doctor she is today. Dr. Susie is willing to go above and beyond most doctors in her field of expertise and I thank god everyday that I found her before ED put me six feet under. I don't know what I'd do without her and everyone now has the chance to get to know Dr. Susie. She is an amazingly talented doctor and human being, I give her book an A+!!

Dr. Susie Mendelsohn, has done a wonderful job writing this book. The author makes the reader feel like they are sitting in a coffee shop having an ordinary conversation with her. At times, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me not lecturing at me. I love how the author not only explains these concepts, she continues to weave them into your every day life. She helps you to understand just how easy it can be to make little changes if you want to be free from ED. I have better understanding of why I think the way I do. As a reader, you know right from the beginning the author has not written another textbook piled with facts. Instead, she shares her own personal struggles with ED. At the same time, she shows the reader how to put these concepts into practical use. Everyone should read this book it is truly amazing.

Dr. Susie does an amazing job explaining all aspects of an eating disorder. This book is a self-help guide for not only the victims of ED, but for the loved ones that suffer with them. Dr. Susie goes into depth, sharing her knowledge from her own experience and education, to provide all the building blocks of an eating disorder. Her enthusiasm and great sense of personality shines through her writing and it is almost as if I was in her office during my own therapy session (I know because I am currently a patient of hers and have been for almost a year). I highly recommend this book for those who are unfortunate to afford an exceptional therapist and if recovery is the focus; Dr. Susie provides all the tools so that you can embark on the journey. Dr. Susie has the courage to share the stories of her own life and her battle with ED; because of this it is very inspritational and encouraging to keep up the fight. This self-help book is easy to read and understand, and puts things into perspective for those with and without an eating disorder.