The Best Books To Read When Living With An Eating Disorder

There are many forms of treatment for eating disorders. Each treatment plan varies on a case-by-case basis, making speaking to a professional highly advised to ensure proper care. Alongside seeking professional advice, there are additional forms of support. Bibliotherapy is one of them. This article will discuss why therapists use bibliotherapy and its benefits, along with recommended books to read when living with an eating disorder.

Benefits of Bibliotherapy

According to Psychology Today, “bibliotherapy” refers to the therapeutic approach of employing books (and literature in general) alongside other traditional therapies.  The books recommended can be any genre and cover many themes but in the majority of cases, therapists use fictional books. 

Bibliotherapy is used by therapists to help individuals gain insight into their experiences.  From relationships with others to the relationship they have with themselves (including their experiences, beliefs, and values), this provides vital insight. It leads to a deeper understanding of what they are going through. 

It may also help them navigate the complex nature of the relationships in their lives. In turn, they are better equipped to develop coping techniques and skills.  Bibliotherapy also offers the opportunity for the individual to feel less alone in their experiences.  This form of validation and the comfort that ensues can provide the hope needed for them to seek/continue receiving help.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

Both fiction and non-fiction books can work with bibliotherapy as they both offer benefits.  Works of fiction allow patients to explore even more scenarios.  The book’s characters can cover a wider span of situations and emotions, allowing more opportunities for the reader to relate to the narratives.   This encourages them to process the difficult situations faced in the book in a safer and often less stressful, environment and manner.

For example, Letting Ana Go by Anonymous is a fictional diary offering insight into a teenager’s struggle with anorexia.  Or, another option is Kim: Empty Inside: The Diary of an Anonymous Teenager by Beatrice Sparks.  

One reader reviewed, “This was a great book and every girl from the age of 12-21 should read it. Kim is such an ordinary girl; her story could easily be any other girl’s story. I was especially moved by her account of the time she ate dog food because she was so desperate from starving herself. What an illness she has, but thank god it’s curable. I hope anyone who reads this will get help for their eating disorder.”

Non-Fiction Books To Read

At the same time, non-fiction is an effective method of providing information to the reader.  A therapist or other professional can make non-fiction recommendations to a client’s specific needs and preferences.  This ensures a more personalized approach to bibliotherapy.  

Often, works of non-fiction (such as self-help books and workbooks) dive deeper into the factual components of the eating disorder.  If the reader is more interested in more research-based information to help support them on their journey, non-fiction literature is helpful.  They also tend to provide more strategies for dealing with various situations and the challenges that stem from the disorder.  

Memoirs and autobiographies are especially gaining in popularity.  

These forms of literature offer real-life examples of how people (including celebrities that the individual may look up to) have lived through similar experiences.  Even without knowing the individual personally, this still makes the reader feel less alone.  

For example, Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia by Marya Hornbacher is a raw and honest memoir detailing the author’s battle with eating disorders. Available on Amazon, this is a fictional diary delving into the life of a teenage gymnast dealing with eating disorders. Or, Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay is a powerful memoir discussing the author’s relationship with food and body image. 

With non-fiction books such as these, someone the reader knows is real, who has gone through similar experiences, is showing the ups and downs of what they experienced and are living with.  The hope and support this provides are often overlooked but it is simple and effective.

More Book Recommendations When Living With An Eating Disorder

The following are even more book recommendations for those living with an eating disorder and their families/loved ones.  We recommend making note of the suggested age ranges for each book depending on the intended reader to ensure suitable content.

General Eating Disorders

1. Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer
   A practical guide to recovery, personifying the eating disorder as “Ed.”

1. Goodbye Ed, Hello Me by Jenni Schaefer
   A follow-up to “Life Without Ed,” offering further strategies for recovery.

1. Paperweight by Meg Haston
   A young adult novel exploring grief, guilt, and healing from an eating disorder.

1. Purge: Rehab Diaries by Nicole Johns
   A candid memoir chronicling the author’s time in a rehabilitation center.

1. Dead Weight: Essays on Hunger and Harm by Emmeline Clein
   An essay collection examining cultural and systemic factors contributing to disordered eating.

1. The Eating Disorder Sourcebook by Carolyn Costin
   A comprehensive resource offering information on causes, treatments, and prevention.

1. Name All the Animals by Alison Smith
   A memoir recounting the author’s adolescence and the development of an eating disorder.

Anorexia

1. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
   A haunting novel exploring the struggles of a teenager with anorexia.
2. The Best Little Girl in the World by Steven Levenkron
   A novel depicting a young girl’s descent into anorexia.
3. Stick Figure: A Diary of My Former Self by Lori Gottlieb
   A memoir capturing the author’s adolescent experience with anorexia.

1. Brave Girl Eating: A Family’s Struggle with Anorexia by Harriet Brown
   A mother’s narrative detailing her daughter’s battle with anorexia.

Professional Resources

If you would like to have more information on the above reading materials or would like to speak to a professional for an in-depth, personalized consultation, contact NutriVie Santé!  Our eating disorder nutritionists are available to help you at our treatment clinics in Westmount (514-965-5175) or Dollard-des-Ormeaux (514-965-5175).