Eating Disorders and life with one - Discussions, Opinions, Advice.

This is a heartwrenching tale of a young boy whose mother, suffering from a then-rare disease called anorexia, spent literally years institutionalized with her illness. As a result, the author, Daniel, never formed the appropriate bonds with her and other members of his family. The focus was always on his mother and her illness, which no one understood. While I found Daniel's perspective interesting and touching (and often agonizing), I was left wanting to get into the Mother's mind (as much as that would have been possible), and into the heart of her history with anorexia to understand more about why she succumbed to this baffling disease. Luckily, great strides have been made both in psychiatry and in eating disorder treatment since Daniel's mother was in "treatment". While this is a good read for anyone who has a loved one suffering from anorexia, it is frustratingly sparse in any explanations for the etiology of this women's disorder, focusing instead on the devastating effects on the immediate family. If you are an ED sufferer, read with caution...this tale is very guilt-inducing. Although, as one commenter pointed out, guilt in this case may not be such a negative thing. Anorexia is a disease of not just the sufferer but also those who love him/her and it's impact on ones' child is always heart-renching.

Dude yu have one life, if yu dnt eat food an enjoy it (it is the best feeling yur muth will ever have ;D) whats the point wakin up in the morning..mmm mumz cooking! (Y)

Please don't comment on things you don't understand.

They might not understand, but it's a bit harsh to get so many negs just because they were trying to be positive. Obviously it's not that simple, but their heart was in the right place

True. But still... slightly misplaced I think, even though the poster's intentions were good. I didn't neg her, but I think I was a little bit tetchy and it's a particular annoyance of mine when people talk about how wonderful food is like this is just a case of not liking food, I get enough of that at home! I might have been a bit overhasty/impatient with my comment but the 'What's the point of getting up in the morning' part of the comment is mostly what got at me because it hit a nerve! I think the same thing everyday and that was the part that irked me. I was a little... OK... very snappy! Sorry poster! Just wasn't in the best of moods as it was. Also, it's kind of annoying to have someone come on and claim to have the answers! I know that *really* isn't what was intended but to me it read like: 'Eat something nice and you'll feel better. How can you live without food?' As in it's not a life worth living. Which we all know. Maybe that's just me? I don't know. I'm just kind of weary and I suppose that came through in my comment. I'm sorry about the negs though, I only neg people who are bigoted.

She might not have meant to come across as trying to understand etc etc. If you take it as 'Life's too bloody short, to torture yourself over doing something you need to do- i.e eat'. Then shes trying to be positive/ give us a kick up the arse.

I have to say, I am very touched by all the birthday love! But I apologise that the following post is one of fear and nervousness. Just in case it has any triggering content I'll spoiler it.