Next to Nothing: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with an Eating Disorder (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative)

By Carrie Arnold, B. Timothy Walsh, Timothy B. Walsh

Book Overview

More than simple cases of dieting gone awry, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are among the most fatal of mental illnesses, responsible for more deaths each year than any other psychiatric disorder. These illnesses afflict millions of young people, especially women, all over the world.
Carrie Arnold developed anorexia as an adolescent and nearly lost her life to the disease. In Next to Nothing, she tells the story of her descent into anorexia, how and why she fell victim to this mysterious illness, and how she was able to seek help and recover after years of therapy and hard work. Now an adult, Arnold uses her own experiences to offer practical advice and guidance to young adults who have recently been diagnosed with an eating disorder, or who are at risk for developing one. Drawing on the expertise of B. Timothy Walsh, M.D., one of America's leading authorities on eating disorders, she reveals in easy-to-understand terms what is known and not known medically about anorexia and bulimia. The book covers such difficult topics as how to make sense of a diagnosis, the various psychotherapies available to those struggling with an eating disorder, psychiatric hospitalization, and how to talk about these illnesses to family and friends. The result is both a compelling memoir and a practical guide that will help to ease the isolation that an eating disorder can impose, showing young people how to manage and maintain their recovery on a daily basis.
Part of the Adolescent Mental Health Initiative series of books written specifically for teens and young adults, Next to Nothing will also be a valuable resource to the friends and family of those with eating disorders. It offers much-needed hope to young people, helping them to overcome these illnesses and lead productive and healthy lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195309669
• ISBN13: 9780195309669
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A must have book for anyone who is affected by an eating disorder

This is a remarkable book of it's type. It is a comprehensive resource for all who is in some way affected by an eating disorder whether it be your child, yourself, your friend... I would even recomend this book to professionals working with someone afflicted with anorexia or bulimia. This book is written by a young woman and is geared toward adolescent eating disorders, but I find it valuable even for those who are older. It is an especially helpful book for loved ones or other people who want to understand eating disorders, how they manifest and take over one's thinking and eventually one's whole life. The book offers insites on finding therapy and dealing with relapse. I have read literally hundreds of books dealing with eating disorders and I don't always find them helpful, infact many inadvertantly (or not :)...) become a part of some anorexic and bulimic individuals' pathology. This book is honest and straight forward and it is not a book that many will use to "trigger" themselves to continue eating-disordered behavior, I find it to be one that promotes recovery and honor's the "self" in the process.

Inspirational

I remember reading this book a little over a year ago, when my eating disorder really started to take its grip. At times, I wanted to keep going down the path that I was creating for myself, while at others, it was inspiring and made me want to stop before it was too late. Though I did not stop and went down the path of anorexia, it would be interesting to read again after the fact, and I may have a different opinion about it. It is in a very easy to read format, supportive, and informative.

Experience with EDs

If you've struggled, or know someone who struggles with an eating disorder, this a book that can help you realize that you're not alone and that there IS help. I should know, I've struggled with them since I was a teenager, but have overcome them. It can happen :-)

Next to Nothing

This is a book with valuable information about eating disorders. As it chonicles one woman's struggle with an eating disorder, it reviews the psychiatric and medical complications associated with eating disorders. This book also gives references about seeking help and guidance to recovery. I am a professional who works with eating disorders and I will highly recommend this book to my clients and their families.

Excellent

This book offers wonderful support and information to those suffering from an eating disorder as well as to the family and friends trying to help their loved one. The style is very engaging and easy to read, with lots of practical advice. The author draws upon her own experiences along the way. But, at the same time it includes the latest in scientific research and findings, in language that is very understandable. "Next to Nothing" has it all, and is a must read for those looking to understand the complicated world of eating disorders.