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Bulimics on Bulimia

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Thousands suffer from bulimia secretly and in silence. They are never diagnosed and their story goes untold.

Bulimics on Bulimia is a collection of accounts by people who are living with the disorder, shedding new light on the day-to-day struggle of coping with bulimia. This book challenges the stereotypical image of the bulimic teenage girl, revealing that bulimia affects a far wider range of people, and dispelling the myth that bingeing involves only food and purging involves only vomiting. The powerful stories in this book provide new perspectives on the experience of bulimia, revealing the complex realities of the illness and the different ways in which different people view themselves and the disorder that has become a part of their lives.

This book is a must-read for counselors, psychologists, and mental health professionals and will strike a chord with anyone who is suffering or has suffered from an eating disorder, as well as their friends and families.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

4 people are currently reading
163 people want to read

About the author

Maria Stavrou

2 books2 followers

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5 stars
21 (28%)
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19 (26%)
3 stars
19 (26%)
2 stars
9 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Mikayla.
108 reviews35 followers
February 15, 2020
This is a hard review to write. This subject matter is close to my heart. I suffered for nearly 4 years off and on. The stories, the impact was emtional. It is a great book to remind me how far I've come and what it takes to love yourself
Profile Image for Erica.
752 reviews241 followers
July 3, 2014
This was a very difficult read for me. I'm so proud of myself for recovering, but then I read triggering books like this and I begin to doubt myself. The short articles in this book reminded me of how unhealthy I used to be. I almost miss my bulimic days! I don't know if I would recommend this little book or not, but it's definitely triggering so stay away if you're battling an eating disorder.
Profile Image for Liralen.
3,397 reviews284 followers
August 29, 2010
I appreciated the variety of voices in this book - diversity is sometimes difficult to find in works about eating disorders. I do wish, however, that the editors had worked harder with the individual authors to polish the essays. As interesting as they were, a lot more could have come out of them.
Profile Image for Katie.
16 reviews6 followers
February 16, 2014
bold and vulnerable. I know several of the contributors of this book and their stories are powerful.
Profile Image for Sally.
448 reviews8 followers
December 15, 2023
Genres:
⭐Fiction
⭐Mental Health
⭐Mental Illness
⭐Memoir

Trigger Warnings:


Review:
This book was a tough ride, no sugarcoating it. It dove deep into some heavy stuff that left me feeling down and out. The stories explored were like a trip through a gloomy world where things just seemed to suck. The worst part? Most of the people sharing their stories didn't seem to be getting any better, and it felt like they might never catch a break. The book pulled back the curtain on the harsh realities of life and how a simple word or phrase can mess someone up big time. It laid bare the struggle of dealing with mental health issues tied to eating disorders. And let me tell you, it smashed any ideas I had about it just being about the numbers on the scale. It's way more than that. Each story in this book painted a picture of people stuck in a tough spot, and the gloomy vibe hung around until the last page. The folks sharing their stories didn't seem to be bouncing back, stuck in a loop of their own problems. What hit hard was seeing how an eating disorder messes with not just the body but the mind too. It's not just about losing weight; it's a whole ordeal that takes over your thoughts, actions, and basically your whole life. This book was like a reality check, showing the not-so-pretty side of life. It made me think about how we talk to each other and how our words can mess with someone's head. It was a wake-up call to understand the struggles people face with mental health, especially when it comes to something as tough as an eating disorder. It left me feeling like we all need a bit more kindness and understanding for the battles people fight, as shown in these raw and emotional stories.

I wouldn't recommend this book if:

You're in Recovery:
If you're on the road to recovery from an eating disorder (ED) or any of the other tough issues mentioned in the Trigger Warning (TW) list, this might hit too close to home. It's like opening up a Pandora's box of emotions that could potentially mess with your progress.

Can't Handle the Tough Stuff:
If you're the type who struggles to deal with heavy issues, this might not be your cup of tea. The stories are raw, real, and don't shy away from the nitty-gritty of some seriously challenging experiences.

Underlying Mental Health Issues:
If you're dealing with some underlying mental health stuff, this book might be like adding fuel to the fire. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and if you're not in a stable mental space, it could be overwhelming.

Currently in the ED Struggle:
If you're currently in the trenches, battling an eating disorder, it might be a bit too much. The book doesn't hold back, and it could potentially trigger some tough feelings.

On the flip side, I'd recommend this book if:

Trying to Help Someone:
If you're trying to understand and help someone close to you dealing with an eating disorder, this could give you some real insight. It's like a window into their world.

Brutal Honesty Wanted:
If you're in the market for a book that doesn't sugarcoat the reality of eating disorders, this is it. The stories are brutally honest and don't shy away from the dark corners.

Seeking Perspective:
If you're interested in getting a firsthand perspective from someone who's been through the wringer with an eating disorder, this book offers that. It's like walking a mile in their shoes.
Profile Image for Aiden.
5 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2020
Reading this book has not only shown me that bulimia affects people from all walks of life, but it has also taught me that bulimia has many different forms and is still the most misunderstood and overlooked eating disorder in my personal opinion.
Maria and the people within this book have produced powerful and thought-provoking stories that really inform the reader how far the stereotypes are from the truth.
Profile Image for Nicole.
7 reviews
December 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, understanding how unhealthy I used to be & realising how far I've come with recovery. I found this book is quite triggering though. It was comforting to read others' stories and to know and that I am not alone.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
35 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2011
A generic first-hand account of bulimia that is at times heart-breaking, but mostly boring. Chapters written by bulimia sufferers themselves, which I support in theory, but it does not produce a riveting end result in this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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