It's Not About the Weight: Attacking Eating Disorders from the Inside Out

by Susan J. Mendelsohn

Book Overview

Dr. Susan J. Mendelsohn is all too familiar with eating disorders: she has personally wrestled with them for more than fifteen years. It's Not about the Weight: Attacking Eating Disorders from the Inside Out is part self-help guide and part memoir that tackles growing up with-and growing through-the challenge of body image distortions.

Whether you're just beginning your battle with an eating disorder (ED) or have struggled for years, this...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059541883X
• ISBN13: 9780595418831
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Somebody finally gets it!!!!

Dr. Mendelsohn's new book does what no book has ever done before. It looks at ALL eating disorders from the inside. She touches the souls of those who suffer from an ED by sharing her own personal story. This is the first book I've read that I felt did not glorify or scold people who are living with ED's. If you are living with an ED and want to understand what its about, and why its not your fault- READ THIS BOOK!

LOVE IT, LOVE HER!

I was hesitant to purchase this book assuming it would be just another explanation of eating disorders with a dab of personal experience. But from the start of this very accurate, very informative book, Dr. Susie makes this a completely different reading experience. She teaches readers about classical conditioning, operant conditioning, etc. but does so in a way that even those with no psychology background can understand what these things are. Dr. Susie also sprinkles humor throughout making you smile while being educated. Her personal story, however, is far from humorous. Like so many of us, she lived with an eating disorder for years and admits right from the beginning that she still has an ED. As a patient and a future professional psychologist, I am completely amazed at Dr. Susie's ability to empower individuals to recover. Her energy and wisdom resonates right into your mind and body. Thanks Dr. Susie for your words, your inspiration, and your complete willingness to help those with EDs recover. This is a definate read for anyone with an eating disorder, for family and friends of those who struggle, and for those persuing a professional degree in psychology.

Brilliant!

This book is an excellent read for anyone who struggles with an ED, or knows someone who does, or who just wants to understand ED's better. The author communicates psychological terms into layman's words, so that the concepts as to why human beings develop eating disorders are very understandable and easy to grasp. In a very personable, compassionate, and often humorous way, she dictates how eating disorders are NOT about weight or food, but much deeper, hidden issues and internal conflicts that have often been going on subconsciously for years inside the minds of those who suffer. As a survivor of anorexia in the maintenance phase, I am all to familiar with this struggle. I grow so weary of talk shows and magazine covers that turn eating disorder sufferers into "freak shows." The world still has a long way to go in understanding this type of disorder! I applaud Mendelsohn's efforts and courage to bring this topic out of the closet and discuss it in a very frank yet understandable way. This is a fantastic read which I highly recommend to anyone!

Kick ED to the Curb

Dr. Susie Mendelsohn, has done a wonderful job writing this book. The author makes the reader feel like they are sitting in a coffee shop having an ordinary conversation with her. At times, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me not lecturing at me. I love how the author not only explains these concepts, she continues to weave them into your every day life. She helps you to understand just how easy it can be to make little changes if you want to be free from ED. I have better understanding of why I think the way I do. As a reader, you know right from the beginning the author has not written another textbook piled with facts. Instead, she shares her own personal struggles with ED. At the same time, she shows the reader how to put these concepts into practical use. Everyone should read this book it is truly amazing.

Shedding New Light on EDs

I think Dr. Susie Mendelsohn does a fabulous job of drawing the reader in and making everything understandable in such a way that they can take the new information gleaned and start making real changes in their life. Some of the concepts discussed are not necessarily new but presented in a way that not only makes sense but seem viable to actually implement. The prevalence of eating disorders is alarmingly high, and it's very difficult to reach into the minds and touch the hearts of those silently suffering with Ed, day in and day out. As the reader you KNOW the author actually undertands the facets of each eating disorder and so has this marked ability to speak to each person reading the book. And, if you are not a sufferer but a friend or a parent of one, I think this book would also be very helpful in gaining a new perspective on what is going on. As a personal Ed sufferer in recovery, it was a joy to read this book. It not only empowered me in that moment and that day, but stayed with me to help me have the courage to fight. It helped me realize that I have the power to be in control and I can say no to being a victim. I'm far from perfect but keeping a positive attitude and holding onto my control, while actually believing I do have a great deal of control over my own health and life, has made a huge difference in getting my freedom back. To all you suffering out there, there is hope and the greatest defeat would be letting Ed take over your identity and your life. Each and every one of you are worth it, you are worth a fighting chance, and you matter. It may sound cheesy but if you think about it, it's true. And as the book says, it's not about the weight... when will the world understand?!!!