One young woman's account of her descent into and ultimate struggle out of anorexia. This is an unflinching look into Carrie Arnold's descent into a severe eating disorder; she writes objectively about the madness of anorexia even as she lives within its grasp. A must read for those who suffer from severe eating disorder as well as anyone who has a loved one suffering from it.
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About the Author
Carrie Arnold lives in Ann Arbor, MI and is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Health/Epidemiology. She is a frequent guest speaker at Eating Disorder Group Meetings, offering help and inspiration to others suffering from anorexia and bulimia.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Clix Pix
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The author takes an intellectual approach but never provides the reader with any suggestion that she has real insight into the underlying issues that undoubtedly drove her to an eating disorder in the first place. In fact, very little real emotion is expressed throughout this rather straightforward, almost dry read. The book is filled with descriptions of symptomatic behavior and weight numbers (although she doesn't give her height, she might as well, as it's easy to figure out in context). She is far more interested in describing her concerns and behaviors with food, calories and weight than she is in delving into the issues which might have brought her to the point of near-fatal illness. Compounding her eating disorder is OCD, adding to an undoubted biochemical influence. Because of the OCD it is likely that the anorexia nervosa is secondary and is actually more of a food phobia directly associated with OCD than it is anorexia nervosa per se. The behaviors and the consequences of those behaviors are, of course, the same.
Regardless of the disorder's actual diagnosis, phobias don't exist without a stimulus. Something initiates them. Even to the casual reader of this book, issues pop out: enmeshment with parents, perfectionism, leaving home, fear of taking on adult responsibilities, etc., etc., and yet Carrie Arnold only briefly glosses over these if even directly mentioning them at all. I hope she has actually addressed her issues in therapy.
I suspect that far from the optimism she radiates at the end of the book, when she is proclaiming recovery, that in actuality this young woman is far from finished with dealing with her issues or her phobias....
Regardless of the disorder's actual diagnosis, phobias don't exist without a stimulus. Something initiates them. Even to the casual reader of this book, issues pop out: enmeshment with parents, perfectionism, leaving home, fear of taking on adult responsibilities, etc., etc., and yet Carrie Arnold only briefly glosses over these if even directly mentioning them at all. I hope she has actually addressed her issues in therapy.
I suspect that far from the optimism she radiates at the end of the book, when she is proclaiming recovery, that in actuality this young woman is far from finished with dealing with her issues or her phobias....
14 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By D. Schonberg
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I came to this book knowing little of eating disorders, and in that I seem to differ from all the previous reviewers. This book is one intellectual's look at the eating disorder that nearly took her life away. Have no doubt of the books intellectualism, Arnold ability to objectively analyze the situation she finds herself in pervades the book. She does not seek pity for her suffering or a parade for her recovery, but simply understanding. Understanding for both herself, and for people such as myself that really have no idea what eating disorders can do.
This book is very approachable. Fortunately, Arnold has written her analysis in a simple, straightforward way making it very approachable. The book is of moderate length, making it an easily digestible book. The only troubles I had with the book were the horrors that I'm learning are the truth of an eating disorder. But those only serve to strengthen the tale.
To say it simply, if you too would like to begin to understand, this book is a great place to start.
EDIT: 4/25/2010
This book has stayed with me over the years. I would still recommend it strongly.
This book is very approachable. Fortunately, Arnold has written her analysis in a simple, straightforward way making it very approachable. The book is of moderate length, making it an easily digestible book. The only troubles I had with the book were the horrors that I'm learning are the truth of an eating disorder. But those only serve to strengthen the tale.
To say it simply, if you too would like to begin to understand, this book is a great place to start.
EDIT: 4/25/2010
This book has stayed with me over the years. I would still recommend it strongly.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By crazy4books
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book - it's the first book I've read in a long time that I couldn't put down. I've read lots (and I mean lots!) of books about eating disorders and this was one of the most honest works I've read. It's real, straight-forward and at times raw with honesty. Nothing is held back here. It depicts eating disorders for what they really are and does not glamorize them. Ms. Arnold writes fluidly and and with meaning. I found this book to be hopeful and inspiring and full of good insight. Excellent read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings
I purchased this book along with a few others aimed at recovery. This book described the author's journey into and out of her eating disorder and contained a lot of background... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Minime
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read
I'll be the first to admit that I do not read very often. Rarely does a book captivate me in a way where I feel I cannot put the book down. I've read the book three times already. Read more
Published on September 23, 2006 by Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars
A first for mee!
This book captivated me for one reason: I could relate. I have read so many ED books that find the underlying problem of eating disorders to be either sexual abuse or some other... Read more
Published on January 12, 2006 by A. Joergensen
5.0 out of 5 stars
comparable to Wasted, by Marya Hornbacher, NOT the same, but...
SO GOOD. couldn't put it down. eloquently and passionately written. SO accurate.
Published on July 4, 2005 by Lauren Dunbar
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truthful, thorough and authentic account.
Having read MANY books on the subject of anorexia, this one hit hardest and closest to home. It was not written to shock or glorify the "sturm und drang" of it all, it is an... Read more
Published on February 8, 2005 by H. M. Boss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Running on Empty
I found this to be an extra ordinary piece of work. Much heart and soul has gone into this book. It certainly helped me more fully understand the depth of this disease and how it... Read more
Published on January 31, 2005 by Virgina Steel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting Read
Arnold gives a first-rate narration of this harrowing disease. A must-read for any sufferer of an eating-disorder.
Published on January 29, 2005 by E. Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling, Excellent!
Having a family member with anorexia, I found this book to be a realistic look into the world of Eating Disorders. Read more
Published on January 29, 2005 by Louise Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Book
I found "Running on Empty" to be an honest, painful, and insightful account of what it is like to suffer with anorexia and ultimately find recovery. Read more
Published on January 25, 2005 by Peoria Barb
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't waste your money
There's nothing new in this book you haven't read before. The author seems self absorbed in her attempt to intellectualize her illness and recovery. Read more
Published on January 25, 2005 by Eloise at the Plaza
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