Skinny Boy: A Young Man's Battle and Triumph Over Anorexia [Library Binding]

Gary A. Grahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2007 | ISBN-10: 1417808241 | ISBN-13: 978-1417808243

Challenging the assumption that anorexia is an exclusively female affliction, this compelling memoir is the first to describe how a young man overcame this often fatal disorder. Handsome and popular, Gary had baseball abilities that had attracted the attention of the big leagues, until a shaming inner-voice convinced him that he needed to be thinner, leading to an out-of-control compulsion to exercise and starve himself, causing multiple hospitalizations. Providing strategies for tackling the recovery process and examples of changes in the thinking needed to take those steps, this important narrative comes at a time when eating disorders are at an all-time high in America, afflicting more than 8 million men. Demonstrating how anyone can win the internal battle between mind and body, this much-needed biography offers therapists, sufferers, and their families with powerful tools to help them triumph over this life and death battle.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Skinny Boy is a compelling and honest first-person account of a vexing human challenge—repairing one's relationship to oneself."  —Psychology Today

"Gary Grahl is a hero and an exceptional writer. Through Skinny Boy, Gary makes a spectacular contribution to the eating disorders field."  —Vivian Hanson Meehan, president and founder, National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

"Skinny Boy effectively chronicles the inner dialogue between the anorexic voice urging him to resist treatment and keep getting thinner and his rational mind that reacts with colorful sarcasm but usually succumbs to thoughts of worthlessness. As Grahl proves, eating disorders are not exclusive to either gender."  —Leigh Cohn, editor-in-chief, Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention

"The running internal dialogue between the author and his eating disorder provides a window into the cognitive and emotional world of individuals suffering from this devastating illness. His style of writing alone makes this book a must read for any professional working with these individuals."  —Michelle Klinedinst, executive director, Rosewood Eating Disorders Center

"More books like this about the male experience with anorexia nervosa need to be written. This book gives insight into that experience. My thanks to Gary Grahl."  —Mae S. Sokol, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine

"Gary Grahl's powerful story of transformation demonstrates how it is possible for a person to gradually surrender eating disorder thinking and behavior in favor of a life worth living."   —Tom Shiltz, Rogers Memorial Hospital, Eating Disorders Program

"Skinny Boy is a powerful story showing how to win the internal battle between mind and body and triumph over the out-of-control thoughts and feelings common in many of us."  —Men's Health

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Gary A. Grahl is a licensed school counselor and a resource person for ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), the nation's oldest non-profit organization dedicated to serving those with eating disorders and their families. He has been featured on television programs such as Extra, Jenny Jones, and Les Brown; and in print media such as the Chicago Sun Times, Men's Health, Milwaukee Journal/Sentinal, Newsday, and Woman's World. He lives in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 243 pages
• Publisher: San Val (October 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417808241
• ISBN-13: 978-1417808243
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glimpse within the mind of the mental ill, September 8, 2007

By 

G. Toyn "WWIIBuff" (Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skinny Boy: A Young Man's Battle and Triumph Over Anorexia (Paperback)

Having years of experience in an acute care psychiatric setting, I'm not familiar with any other book that so deftly describes the internal dialogue between this young man's mental illness, and his weakened will to survive. Too often, people who have never experienced a mental illness don't understand the extreme difficulty sufferers experience. Much of their suffering comes on the battlefront of the mind. How the author eventually wins that battle makes this book a must read for anyone with an eating disorder. Families and professionals will also appreciate the frustrating battles his family endures, but also how important patience is with those who suffer from an eating disorder. It's a great book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PAINFUL TRUTH, October 25, 2007

By 

Nicholas Meaker "bula fighter" (phoenix AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skinny Boy: A Young Man's Battle and Triumph Over Anorexia (Paperback)

All i can say is that this book describes the mental process of what i would assume any person either male or female suffer from. I my self have live with an ED for several years and have waited for a book that takes the male point of view. The internal conversations within him self hit home to such a degree that sometimes it feels like its my own life. I highly reccomend this book to all men who struggle with an ED as well as all women. Good luck and god bless

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, July 14, 2008

By 

Patti M. Kahn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skinny Boy: A Young Man's Battle and Triumph Over Anorexia (Paperback)

I'm currently struggling with anorexia, and when i read this book it not only motivated me but made me feel not so alone. I related to Gary's thoughts and feelings. This book would be perfect for a parent with a child who has and ed, a friend, or for anyone else who's interested in the subject. It's fast moving...and hard to stop reading. I highly recommend it.