Customer Reviews

The Secret Language of Eating Disorders: How You Can Understand and Work to Cure Anorexia and Bulimia

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

First and foremost, I want to say that Peggy proves with her book, "The Secret Language of Eating Disorders...," that she has a deep and unprecedented understanding of the makings of anorexia---for someone who has only witnessed the disease. I only wish that my parent would show the same kind of empathy and determination towards my current plight. Of course, Peggy did have the qualifications and obviously the time to delve into our horrible world enough to contrive and write such accurate interpretations/solutions to the disease...I don't think my parent could do such things even if the drive was there.

When I first starting reading the book, I was pretty amazed at her observations of the anorexia mindset and her theories of how it is a "symptom" of a much more powerful disorder called CNC, rather than a primal cause of itself and/or many other self-deprecating disorders. They had me enthralled, to say the least. But...as I read on I couldn't help but notice that despite being in the title, bulimia somehow seemed barely addressed (except by a few textbook or case study descriptions). Having suffered both (as MANY people often do), I couldn't help but feel a void where bulimia was concerned. It still seems that no one can offer up an entire book of interesting AND valid solutions for the elusive one---bulimia. Personally, I think the perils of bulimia are just as (if not more) horrific than those of anorexia. But yet...Peggy doesn't seem to have an answer. I have to ask when reading this, what if conquering eating is no longer a triumph, but a new and devastating penance to bear? What happens when your body is no longer feeding on itself physically, but the disease is all the more voracious with your mind? Where is the cure for the addiction?

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that bulimia continues to be overshadowed by or maybe not seen as dire as anorexia. It is the more shameful of the two, yes, and it is often passed off as a phase during college that has no emotional attachment whatsoever. There are always exceptions to the rule, but when you are trapped in the hopelessness of something that seems impossible to beat, it is hurtful to hear people around you toss the word `bulimia' around to every girl who goes to the bathroom.

In her book, Peggy describes anorexia as a very slow attempted suicide, a descent toward nothingness---I agree. Anorexia is not a diet, it is not a shallow attempt to be "model thin", and it is definitely not just about food. Many anorexics, including myself, do not wish to see any number except 0 on our bodies and souls. Peggy does a good job in clearing up such perceived notions. But again, she doesn't realize that bulimia is not necessarily the same slow suicide. It is suicide of the mind far before anything else. Bulimia makes you want to finish the job...and quickly. The fear that it is all your life will ever be is torturous. See, this is what she leaves out.

Also, I found her to come off very pompous and a bit condescending at times, despite her claims to not be that way. It just seems that she envisions herself to be the Godsend, the Cure-all, the Miracle Worker...and I just don't buy it. It is forgivable, though, because I have read many books on the subject, and they all seem to be that way. I guess it's unavoidable in such a situation. Or, maybe I'm just still disappointed and bitter that I cannot find anyone who is adamant like she seems to be about the situation. I guess confidence like she has can be misconstrued with self-righteousness when you think the way I have to.

I have a B.A. in Psychology. I first read the book, then watched the 20/20 special featuring the Clinic and read the book again. Like many of you, I noticed that a) the author seemed arrogant in claiming to have "the" cure, b) she did not offer scientific data and c) she over-sold the revolutionary aspect of her treatment, instead of pointing out its obvious roots in cognitive-behavioral psychology. These were my thoughts the first time I read the book. But then...the video. I think watching this video was the first time I'd ever video footage of an anorectic near death. A thought occurred to me--
the viciousness of the Germans starving concentration camp victims. And, these girls are inflicting the same amount of damage to themselves. Claude-Pierre has an undeniable abbility to establish rapport and trust with these women. Although her theory needs refining and scientific support, I now believe it is essentially correct. Obviously, someone who treats patients who say they are "cured" (a very unusual statement by an anorectic) and successfully treats patients who are literally days or weeks away from dying is doing something right.

I will now address the criticisms of Claude-Pierre's theory and practice.

1) Why should we believe that someone with only a B.A. degree and little scientific expertise has found "the" cure? I would ask, do you believe that the millions of psychologists who have theorized and treated anorexics for more than a century have found the cure? These are the "experts," yet their success rate is really quite dismal. Is anorexia necessarily a hopeless disease or is it rendered hopeless by the poor quality of care available? Many psychologists have created interesting and useful theorys about the causes of anorexias, yet few have been able to translate their theories into good practice. Also, many of these people are flooding PEGGY with calls for help. Interesting.

2) An earlier review said that anyone receiving round the clock care would automatically show improvement? Technically, any hospitilized anorectic receives 24 hour "care" and most do not respond well. I would argue that perhaps Peggy's patients automatically have initial improvement because of 24 hour care in a caring, home-like environment. For a hospitilized anorectic, the facility is home. Having your home be a sterile hospital with unfeeling service providers would have a negative impact on patients.

3)Claude-Pierre absolves parents of responsibility. I do believe this is a fault in the theory. But I would argue that Pierre's restraint in blaming parents allows her patient's parents to participate more fully in treatment (hence, the high success rate). Also, I think the core truth is that while some parents of anorectics are abusive, neglectful, and creating "enmeshed" relationships, they don't intend to make their child starve themselves to death. It occurred to me a few years ago that reports of "enmeshed" parents may be exaggerated. After the disorder develops, parents naturally become more intrusive as they respond to this puzzling disorder. Remember the blame of the parents of autistic children--"the refridgerator moms"? In response to children incapable of affection, some moms stopped trying to initiate physical contact and thus were unfairly blamed for the problem.

4) Claude-Pierre's staff is not qualified. I agree that the staff should have outside training since they work with such a vulnerable population. But I believe that the in-Center training is legitimate, and in proper accordance with Claude-Pierre's methods. Former patients sometimes become counselors. I would bet $100,000,000 that a former anorectic knows more about treating anorexia than the average doctor. That anorectic knows something about recovery. A doctor who has not successfully treated the majority of his anorec. patients does not.

5) A few former patients, and some critics, call the clinic a cult. Some patients say they had no privacy. Since Claude-Pierre has a very high success rate, she is idealized by her patients. If you've never heard ANYONE articulate your pain, you would obviously look at the person who finally does as a Saint, of sorts. The privacy complaint is trivial. The mansion houses 9 patients who require 24 hour care. Obviously, one cost of treatment is the loss of privacy and some forms of independence. I attend a college with 500 students--the environment can seem clausterphobic, incestuous, lacking in privacy, but it is not a cult.

6) The patients relapse once they leave the clinic. I was very disturbed to read of three alleged deaths of Pierre's former patients. However, Pierre still has a high success rate. The fact that some patients relapse after being highly successful at the clinic should lead us to ponder--how can we shape our world to make it a place more conducive to healing? In the case of acute anorexia, I believe "sheltering" in such a clinic is absolutely necessary. In a real world setting, it would be impossible for therapists to combat the many triggers of the Negative Mind. In every situation, the anorectic perceives herself to be a burden to other people, an unworthy person. In a real world setting, an ordinary frustrating situation could instigate a devestating relapse.

Anyway, I'm done making my case. I do not mean to sound like a "know it all." I respect Claude-Pierre, the integrity of her work, and her committment to her patients. I would call Peggy an angel of sorts, because she has somehow tapped into a profound realization about this disorder. She has helped save people who do not consider themselves worth saving.

I would be more than happy to work at the Montreux Clinic in the future to help the Clinic gain some credibility, in terms of scientific corroboration.

Melissa Abrams

I'm 19 and have been suffering for 8 years. As I got older it grew worse. When I left school I was almost ready to die. Through some way I recieved a photocopy of this book. How I feel about this book, I dont know, but without it I think I could be dead. I never thought anyone could understand, or imagine what went on in my head. Fighting constantly with myself. This book has helped me realise when I am fighting with myself. Thankyou. I have this love for Peggy for sharing her beliefs on this subject, it did not just help me but my family and close friends.

I can honestly say that until I read "The Secret Language of Eatting Disorders" I belived I was going to die. I thought eatting disorders were about control, wanting to stay young, perfectionism and madness. This book has cleared up all of those (and many other) misconceptions. Peggy put into words all of my thoughts, feelings and fears. I have had anorexia/bulimia for 10 years. I am now 19 years old and I had always been told that this was a condition that I would have to learn to live with. Thank you Peggy for telling me what bull that is. No one has to live like that. I only pray that more therapists and parents read this book. The girls of generation X are dying as a result of health care professionals paying too much attention to the disease and not enough attention to the problem. Thank you Peggy, you have saved my life.

I believe that the medical community has a lot to learn from Peggy Claude-Pierre's compassionate and humanitarian approach to Anorexia Nervosa. On the other hand, Claude-Pierre has a lot to learn about research and scientific reasoning as well. As I read through her book, I discovered that she tends to lump the various eating disorders and its symptoms into one generic category. Am I to assume then that the "Confirmed Negativity Condition" as well as the dichotomy of the "Actual" and "Negative" mind applies to ALL eating disorders? I understand that she primarily works with acute anorexics--some of whom display bulimic behaviours--and thus her view may be skewed in this direction. However, there are fundamental differences between Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-eating disorder, and Anorexia! Claude-Pierre does not explain her opinions on these differences even though she includes "Bulimia" and "eating disorderS" in the t! itle. (If she believes these differences do not interfere with the CNC, etc. she should state this explicitly.) I also did not find this a "well-written" book: her reasoning is full of logical fallacies and she sometimes contradicts herself. (If you don't know what I am talking about, read the section on "Myths and Misconceptions" carefully.) In addition, this book could have been written in less than half of its length--she constantly re-states the same principles over and over again. However, despite its flaws, I would tell people who are interested in eating disorders (particularly those who are suffering from Anorexia or Bulimianorexia) to read this book because of her unique insights and the alternative view that Claude-Pierre presents--these are of value. However, readers should be wary of its shortfalls.

After reading hundreds of books and searching desperately for help this was the only book that offered any hope for my 11 year old daughter. We followed the other recommendations, found a nutritionalist, went to our medical doctor every two weeks to have them tell my daugther how bad this disorder was for her, but it wasn't until we followed Peggy's advice for "taking the responsibility of food out of her hands" that she stopped losing weight. She has been at a constant weight now for 2 years and we are hopeful that she will be able to move on past this disorder. Many of the other books tell you that the anorexic will always be anorexic, only this one gives you hope and helps you fulfull that dream.
Don't buy any other books until you have read this one. I'm a scientist too and have read the reviews about how Peggy's methods aren't scientific...get real her methods work!!! The other don't.

I have never been so touched by a book or a person in my life. I had suffered from anorexia (and CNC) for over 10 years of my life and thought no one in this world understood me. I wanted to die because I felt I deserved to and thought I was a burden to everyone in my life.
Somehow this book came into my hands and I couldn't believe how much of my life this lady who had never met me knew! And how much of an inspiration she would later become.
Every professional I had ever talked to (or read something by) told me I could never be completely well, that I would always have "issues" I would have to deal with for the rest of my life. This led me to believe "Why fight if I had to live this way forever anyways?"
After reading this book cover to cover several times my therapist and I had a big meeting and discussed how to proceed with my care.
Peggy brought a hope into my life I had never had before. She made me believe in myself and fight for that full recovery that I now know I could have always had.
I have been fully recovered for almost a year. And I know it is thanks to the words in this book. Weight is not a concern and will never be again. I learned how to get rid of the screaming voices in my head and how to not take things out on myself. Self negativity is something I will never be concerned with again.
...

This book is the first one to properly explain what I went through six years ago. What it describes is real - the constant fighting with oneself, selfhate, and so on. I was also told I would never get well. I got well anyway, on my own. I am just so grateful to Peggy Claude-Pierre to have made it clear that I was not insane (as many would tell me) during those painful years. I was "just" bulimic. With her book, my healing process is complete.

I am a 15 year old that has suffered for anorexia for more than a year. It has been sheer hell. Nothing in my life is comparable to the mental pain I go through because of anorexia. I have read all of the literature available on Eating Disorders. By the time I read this book, I was out of ideas. I was not looking for control, I was not trying to stay young, and finally Peggy's book came along.

Thank you Peggy so much for writing this book. Finally someone understand's the world we live in! I was speaking with the eating disorders group I am in, and I mentioned "the voice." They all exclaimed "I thought I was the only one!!"

Other books on eating disorders tend to put them into small boxes: There that is an eating disorder. Perfection, control, staying young, etc. This shows how we are living how we see ourselves what we need to do to get better! If there is any problem with treatment today, it is that we focus too much on how we got anorexia rather than uses to get better.

Thank you Peggy. You are truly an angel on earth. Your book just might be my tiny light at the end of the tunnel.

First of all allow me to commend Peggy Claude-Pierre in her undying commitment to the cause of assisting those suffering with eating disorders. Because I am a recovering bulimic this book has particular meaning to me and has helped me to understand some of the core causes of this disorder. I work in the field of Social Work now and have committed my life to helping those with emotional difficulties. Although I admire this author for her unconditional loving approach to psychological treatment, I must reiterate what other commenters have already put forth. This book has no actual scientific data nor statistics to corroborate its claims! If you are looking for a more "theoretical" approach to the widespread dilemma of eating disorders, then this is the book for you. It has strong ideology and unique concepts. What it lacks, however, is the concrete research evidence that any psychological treatment must offer. My hat is off to Peggy Claude-Pierre for all of her efforts and for establishing the Montreaux Clinic. However, to those of us who are in the field of Psychology, I recommend it only as a supplement and not as a sole therapeutic tool. I would be interested to read about the outcome/recidivism reports from the Montreaux clinic.