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Kandel, founder and director of The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, brings her own successful recovery from anorexia and bulimia to this readable text whose message is that full recovery is possible. Noting that no recovery is perfect, the author, who stresses that she is not a health professional, seeks to free others from identifying with the disorder and risking becoming it. Kandel seeks to empower readers by sharing her own past how her youthful perfectionism and aspirations to become a ballerina fueled her need to control and numb her emotions, which stoked her disorder as well as the stories of others. She also offers practical advice, using boxed and large-type inserts to emphasize main points: My eating disorder gave me carte blanche not to have to do things that scared me: I didn't have to feel . . . Basically, it protected me . . . from life. With a list of resources, Kandel's experience and accessible self-help approach should help many find and remain on the path to wellness.--Scott, Whitney Copyright 2010 Booklist

Library Journal
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As happens with many mental difficulties, eating-disorder victims are often told, "Just eat more. Get over it." Of course, it isn't that easy. Kandel, founder and executive director of the Alliance for Eating Disorders and a member of the Eating Disorders Coalition and National Eating Disorders Association, struggled under the yoke of her own condition for a decade. So she comes to the subject with firsthand experience and great understanding and, as a former victim, here offers a metaphoric hand to hold. Intended for use in addition to medical, nutritional, and psychological treatment, this book explains why some people are susceptible to eating disorders and offers coping mechanisms for the various types of hurdles encountered on the road to recovery. VERDICT Readers with any sort of obsessive-compulsive behaviors may find these suggestions useful, but the book will be especially good for those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Highly recommended.-Susan B. Hagloch, formerly with Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.