Sunday, March 20, 2011

Book Review - Hope, Help, and Healing for Eating Disorders


Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders
by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD.

If you have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive over-eating) this book will definitely help you.  What I love about this book is it doesn't just talk about the physical or mental issues, but the whole picture, including spiritual issues.  I have read several books on eating disorders and this book is far above and beyond any other book I've read.  Just a warning, though - have a big box of tissues handy for wiping those tears and blowing your nose.

This book has questions that you go through and answer.  Mind you, these are not questions that you can possibly answer in a few minutes.  I have a notebook that I have devoted to using for these questions.  You will go back to your childhood and the past to figure out where this obsession with food first began and why.  It's not easy but it makes total sense to dig up the past to figure out how this whole situation started.

In the beginning of the book, the author warns you that you're going to want to throw this book across the room about half way through.  He wasn't kidding, but don't do it.  It will be so worth it to get to the bottom of this whole horrible life-style and learn to live without obsessing about food. I love that this book also focuses on relying on God to help us with this issue.  I knew without a doubt that this book had been brought into my life when I read my life verse in the first chapter: "but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope." Romans 5:3-4  The author referred to this Scripture in regards to the pain that we would feel as we dredge up our past pains and hurts.   

This book is not easy to read - having to dredge up your past pain and anger is never easy - but it is so worth it. I'm already realizing so much about myself that I had buried for 40 plus years.  I've heard so many times how "food is my drug of choice".  It's true. Controlling our food, whether by not eating or eating too much, is like a drug to soothe our feelings of pain.  It's time to give up this horrible merry-go-round and get help.  This book is a huge step in that direction.  I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an eating disorder!!

**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**

This book was provided to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review.

God bless you - Julie

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave me a message! I love hearing what you have to say and look forward to your comments.