Chasing Silhouettes: How to help a loved one battling an eating disorder

by Emily T. Wierenga, Gregory L. Jantz (Foreword)

Emily Wierenga gets vulnerable and practical in a revealing book about the thought process of a young woman battling an eating disorder -- herself. Sharing her story, Emily speaks to the heart of those who care about others struggling with an eating disorder and shares a practical way forward from a biblical perspective. Comprised of insights and advice from both families and Christian professionals in the eating disorders field, Emily lays out a pathway that inspires and challenges readers to provide the kind of support a person struggling with an eating disorder needs.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2012

About the author

Emily T. Wierenga is a wife, mother, daughter of Abba, and the author of eight books including the new memoir God Who Became Bread (Whitaker House, 2024). She is a columnist for Christian Courier, and president of The Lulu Tree (www.thelulutree.com), a non-profit preventing tomorrow's orphans by equipping today’s families through the local church in Africa, Asia and South America. To learn more, visit www.emilytwierenga.com.

Reviews

[Emily Wierenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this is my book, I thought it was pretty awesome. :)

To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Silhoue...

Endorsements, etc: www.chasingsilhouettes.com

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe you know someone who is starving themselves or eating themselves to death or are somewhere in-between. Maybe that person is you? It's hard isn't it? It feels as if there is nothing you can do. This is not the part where I tell you to "just pray about it." It doesn't feel like enough, does it?

My prayers during the tumultuous years in the prime of my self-destruction mainly consisted of phrases like, "God please help me. Please, please, help me." "God, if you're out there, show me what I mean to you. Show me that I'm not worthless and damaged." Truth is, I didn't know how to live life. I almost lost everything because of it. Until I learned the importance of speaking truth into my own heart and mind, my behavior would could not change.

Sometimes all people need is kindness. Sometimes a smile will do. Other times it's $2.20 at checkout while expecting nothing in return. We must be the change. We must. Saying the right words isn't enough and most of the time what we think are the right words, aren't "right" at all. We must be okay to sit in the uncomfortable silence. That place where there are no answers, only questions.

Emily Wierenga has this incredible story of healing and hope. If you want to hear firsthand from someone who survived the very thing that wanted to take her life, start with this book. Visit Emily at her personal website http://www.emilywierenga.com/ and her blog Chasing Silhouettes http://chasingsilhouettes.com/

[Olivia Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that so wonderfully and accurately puts to words what it’s like to live in an eating disorder. I would 100% recommend this book to any family members or loved ones who want to know what it is like and how they can best support those suffering, but would not recommend it to people in the midst of the battle or recently recovered, simply because the detail that is necessary to go into can be incredibly triggering. But to those to whom food is not a daily struggle, please please read this book.

[Katrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book focused on a lot of Christian values on helping your loved ones going through the ED. I know during my darkest times, I gave it to Christ and helped me through it. Not to say I don't have my rough spots. I am just wondering what if the reader isn't a Christian or they are following a different faith other than this?

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent practical advice for family and friends of those with eating disorders. Read this before giving it to a friend, and I found it extremely helpful and straightforward. Written by a woman who hadd a decades-long battle against anorexia, and includes portions written by her family members and doctors, to give insight into what it feels like for everyone involved, and what the most helpful things are you can do for your family and disordered eater. Actually, many of the suggestions were counterintuitive for me. Very helpful resource, whether you have a disordered eater in your own family, or want to know how to support and encourage friends who deal wtih this in their families.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for families of those with eating disorders. It's also comforting for the eating disordered person... A realization of their value and normalcy.

I saw my own story in these pages and was much encouraged. Thanks, Emily!

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very good read for famlies who are trying to understand why their loved one has an eating disorder and what they can do to help.

[valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful book on how to help people who have an eating disorder. I especially appreciated the perspective from family members on how to help and be supportive.

[Jaime Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a person struggling with an ED, or you struggle, this is a very enlightening read.