Regaining Your Self: Understanding and Conquering the Eating Disorder Identity

by Ira M. Sacker, Sheila Buff

You are not what you don't eat.

Never has there been a mental disorder so controversial in the theories surrounding its causes, treatments, and recovery than that of the eating disorder. Its mysterious nature, onset, and lack of predictability make this an elusive epidemic that causes frustration and fear in those who are afflicted and those who love and treat them. This is exactly why patients, families, and treatment professionals need to be privy to the observations of one of the foremost eating disorder specialists in the world and bestselling author of Dying to Be Thin, Ira M. Sacker, M.D. It is he who continues to be at the forefront of true treatment breakthroughs, the latest of which is evidenced in his latest book Regaining Your Self.

Over the last several decades, as theories and books circulated and speculated on whether it is perfectionism, trauma, genetics/biology, or social pressures of the media that has caused the rapid spread of anorexia, bulimia, and related disorders, Dr. Sacker was busy making a breakthrough in identifying the true culprit in eating disorders—The Eating Disorder Identity.

With Eating Disorder Identities, victims attach to their disorder and view it as part of who they are, ultimately coming to identify with that persona exclusively. (Sometimes individuals will even name the disease "Ana," "Mia," or "Ed," in order to personify the new identity.) Just as a musician cannot live without his instruments, an eating disorder individual will feel inauthentic and lost if ever they give up their eating disorder, contributing to a higher rate of relapse.

In Regaining Your Self, Dr. Sacker explains the phenomenon of the Eating Disorder Identity and describes why this is the least identified concept in traditional treatment methods, yet most detrimental aspect of the disorder. Further, Sacker explains how in an attempt to substitute their former identity, many eating disorder patients adopt their eating disorder as a more acceptable definition of who they are; therefore blurring the lines between their disorder and their self. Like any thing that is viewed as intrinsic, the eating disorder becomes nearly impossible to cut off and turn away from.

To combat this crisis, Sacker lays out his effective program called PIRT or Personal Interaction Rational Therapy, which assists families, clinicians, medical doctors, and therapists in identifying the issue of identity (the lack of one, the disdain for the one they have) exhibited by patients and offers them techniques on replacing the eating disorder identity with a new and healthier one—the major component in facilitating recovery. In addition, Dr. Sacker created a brand-new workbook section exclusively for this paperback edition, which offers both interactive and introspective exercises to help treatment professionals and patients successfully execute the bold new approach of Regaining Your Self.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2007

About the author

Ira M. Sacker, MD has specialized in eating disorders since 1975. Dr. Ira Sacker, a Los Angeles native, graduated from UCLA School of Medicine in 1968. Residency was at New York University Hospital and Bellevue Hospital.

In 1987 was co-author of the groundbreaking book, Dying To Be Thin: Understanding and Defeating Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia - A Practical Lifesaving Guide.

In 2010 his newest book, Regaining Your Self: Understanding and Conquering The Eating Disorder Identity was published.

Currently, Dr. Sacker is Clinical Assistant Professor; Department of Pediatrics NYU Langone Medical Center and Visiting Clinical Professor at Bellevue Hospital Medical Center.

Reviews

[Deb]

*Nourishing the self*

Ira Sacker's approach to treating eating disorders is indeed a bold new one. His refreshing approach known as PIRT (Personal Interactive Rational Therapy) takes the focus away from the food and the eating and shines the spotlight where it is most needed--on the individual's path of self-discovery. PIRT transcends traditional approaches to treating eating disorders as it provides the client the safety, space, and support to discover her own identity, independent of the confines of her eating disorder.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of eating disorders in such a compelling, fascinating, and illuminating way. Ira demystifies the lure of eating disorders by explaining how they can serve as ways (albeit unhealthy ones) to help individuals relieve their anxiety, while also giving them a sense of identity. His therapy focuses on helping the individual redefine themselves in terms of their passions and interests--and not by their body shape and weight.

Regaining Your Self is filled with compassion and understanding for those suffering from eating disorders. Ira stresses that effective treatment is one that respects the individual's difficult journey of giving up the eating disorder identity and replacing it with their newly discovered personal identity. This journey is beautifully summarized in a quote by Anais Nin that appears in the final chapter of the book:
"...and the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom..."

[Emily Persico]

4.5 rounded up. Not triggering for those in recovery, and very helpful for everyone in the support system: the patient, the family, the doctor, the therapist, etc. It’s sad that Sacker’s “Bold New Approach,” is still a bold new approach 18 years later, but almost everything he said was like holding up a mirror to my heart, mind, and soul. Perhaps oversimplifying certain issues at times, he nonetheless maintains a diverse and person-first approach that reinforces the humanity and complexity of patients.

[Marnie]

I learned alot about regaining passion for my life!

[Jasmine]

Took me two hours to read but it was such a good read, pretty informative.

[M Gottlieb]

Nonfiction has always been a bit rough for me, but this book is quite necessary for many people. I think it would’ve helped me a long time ago but better late than never.

[Ulla]

We have recently discovered that someone close to us that we love and care about has secretly been struggling with anorexia for a long time. In order to try to understand what is going on and why, I decided to read this book that was recommended to me by people in my network who have struggled with the illness themselves.

It is an excellent account of what this disorder is and how it takes control of a person to such an extent that it takes over the actual identity of that person. It is an eyeopener in that it shows that this type of illness is something that could happen to just about anybody. It also gives you an idea of the massive time commitment that is needed to beat it once the patient is actually ready to embark on a road of recovery.

I like the author's recommended approach of respect for the patient and no manipulation or pressure, but it is also frustrating to have to accept that treatment has proven to only be effective when the patient is a willing participant. It's going to be hard to watch from the sideline and wait for that moment...

[Lisa]

This is a great book for anyone who has an eating disorder, who has acquaintences with eating disorders or even for people who have obsessive compulive/anxiety tendancies. Ira Sacker has broad experience and seems to be truly wise and wanting to help people regain the identity that was lost due to anxiety, compulsions and eating disorder. He looks at the point where and why a person is lost to such anxieties, helps them to see that their identitiy is not their anxiety and gives tools to help such a person realize that they can have power over their anxiety.

[Joy]

An overview of Dr. Sacker's personal method of eating disorder treatment, based on his 30+ years of experience. He emphasizes developing identity outside of the eating disorder as a major focus of clinical treatment. Easy to read, clearly written, some good tips for family/friends. Would have felt it more useful if more empirical data were included to support his ideas.

[Jo]

I didn't much care for this book. I ended up mostly just skimming it, and then reading all the quotes from the women. Sacker seemed to want to pigeonhole everyone into the same category, so that he could prove his ideas were right. Sensing the Self deals with similar issues, but, in my opinion, is a much better book.

[Treloar]

The best book I've read so far on eating disorders because the authors realize that fundamentally, the eating disorder becomes the identity of its victim. Great insight into identity development and restoration.

[Sarah]

No bold new approach included. A decent attempt with short case histories chronicled but no new insights or life-changing ideas.

[Sadie Chelsea]

The beginning gave great information as to subconscious issues and underlying complexities which create and sustain eating disorders. But unfortunately the healing plan seemed limited. The author wrote a lot about how things would go down if you were a client in his office; in contrast to the ideal and purpose of a self-help book: practical applications which you can use on your own without being a client. In the end, it came across more like a sales pitch to get more clients and less of a self-help book.