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Annie's Anorexic
My name is Sarah Burleton and I am a recovering anorexic. I have been struggling with this disease since I was fourteen years old and I don’t think I will ever truly be “cured”. I wish that there was a day where I could wake up and look in the mirror and have nothing but positive thoughts about the image I saw looking back at me. It’s just been too hard to let go of something that only I could control; and too hard to get rid of something that has such control over me.In my New York Times bestselling book, Why Me, I briefly discuss my battle with anorexia and why I succumbed to this horrible disease. After receiving hundreds of emails from young readers who are struggling with anorexia, I felt the need to share this side of my story and hopefully help someone face their own demons. This is a short novel under 30,000 words. I pray for all of you suffering and I love you all.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2012
36 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 16, 2013
A more in depth journey into the anorexic frenzy that triggered Sarah by her abusive mother. Being anorexic myself, I wanted to read somebody else's take on it - though this is part of the original book "Why Me?".
November 18, 2021
I can so strongly relate
Having now read three or four of Sarah's books, this one is near my heart. My heart hurts for all the abuse Sarah endured, and the Anorexia, I for one can arrest that Anorexia is indeed pure and utter Hades. It's a vicious nightmare and has cost many a person their life. I know, because it almost cost m me MY life. I relate to Sarah because I too, use/d it as a control mechanism. I felt and still feel that since I can't control external forces that I will just control the one thing I can - what enters my body, when, how often, how much, etc. However, this is when it gets destructive... You lose a few pounds, you feel proud , maybe someone compliments you and /or you feel proud of that accomplishment and choose to lose five or six more pounds. Soon five more turns to five more and five more and so on. Again, I know because hist is exactly as I felt and behaved. I thrived on the skinny comments, the low numbers and the scales and body proportions. I don't care how others loo; I just want to control my body. It doesn't take long for this illness to completely consume you... and what you thought you had control of now has control over you.
Like Sarah, I have struggled with this since a very young age and like Sarah, I used it to as a coping and defense mechanism. I thought if I could control that I would be happy... or at least some form of it. I couldn't have been more wrong; on top of the Anorexia, I was deeply depressed and felt death would be a welcomed reprieve. I did self harm, exercise for hours and other behaviours. I also sought in patient care (of my own accord and free will), but I didn't want to. I also knew if I didn't accept help from somewhere, I would most certainty die and I came close to it. After having all my vitals taken during check -in, my family was told that all my vital organs were in distress and showing signs of shutdown. The medical staff actually predicted that I may "make it 72hrs."
Here I am seven years later alive and healthier, but not not 100% or even 90%, my body that has internally aged past my 45 years. My brain function and thought processes are slower. I can't stay focused or think as well as I once did, my reflexes are delayed. I've had to take osteoporosis shots, my weight is still low and I like Sarah and any other person with an addiction or eating disorder, I still struggle. Everyday is a battle. I will continue to combat this demon because I don't ever want it's cold, icy, hellish grip on me again and if I can help one person by sharing my story, I've done what I set out to do, what I spent my life wanting to do - help people. I could go on and on, but I think this will reach many. I want to thank Sarah for sharing her story, l relate so very well... Dear viewers and readers, if you are struggling with addiction or some other destructive behaviour, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care, people who can help. There is hope. Please don't let it consume you as it isn't worth it. I learned that myself all too well. Signed, Christy, also a recovering Anorexic.
Having now read three or four of Sarah's books, this one is near my heart. My heart hurts for all the abuse Sarah endured, and the Anorexia, I for one can arrest that Anorexia is indeed pure and utter Hades. It's a vicious nightmare and has cost many a person their life. I know, because it almost cost m me MY life. I relate to Sarah because I too, use/d it as a control mechanism. I felt and still feel that since I can't control external forces that I will just control the one thing I can - what enters my body, when, how often, how much, etc. However, this is when it gets destructive... You lose a few pounds, you feel proud , maybe someone compliments you and /or you feel proud of that accomplishment and choose to lose five or six more pounds. Soon five more turns to five more and five more and so on. Again, I know because hist is exactly as I felt and behaved. I thrived on the skinny comments, the low numbers and the scales and body proportions. I don't care how others loo; I just want to control my body. It doesn't take long for this illness to completely consume you... and what you thought you had control of now has control over you.
Like Sarah, I have struggled with this since a very young age and like Sarah, I used it to as a coping and defense mechanism. I thought if I could control that I would be happy... or at least some form of it. I couldn't have been more wrong; on top of the Anorexia, I was deeply depressed and felt death would be a welcomed reprieve. I did self harm, exercise for hours and other behaviours. I also sought in patient care (of my own accord and free will), but I didn't want to. I also knew if I didn't accept help from somewhere, I would most certainty die and I came close to it. After having all my vitals taken during check -in, my family was told that all my vital organs were in distress and showing signs of shutdown. The medical staff actually predicted that I may "make it 72hrs."
Here I am seven years later alive and healthier, but not not 100% or even 90%, my body that has internally aged past my 45 years. My brain function and thought processes are slower. I can't stay focused or think as well as I once did, my reflexes are delayed. I've had to take osteoporosis shots, my weight is still low and I like Sarah and any other person with an addiction or eating disorder, I still struggle. Everyday is a battle. I will continue to combat this demon because I don't ever want it's cold, icy, hellish grip on me again and if I can help one person by sharing my story, I've done what I set out to do, what I spent my life wanting to do - help people. I could go on and on, but I think this will reach many. I want to thank Sarah for sharing her story, l relate so very well... Dear viewers and readers, if you are struggling with addiction or some other destructive behaviour, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care, people who can help. There is hope. Please don't let it consume you as it isn't worth it. I learned that myself all too well. Signed, Christy, also a recovering Anorexic.
April 8, 2018
Reader Comments
This book can be applied to people who developed disorders other than anorexia as a result of child abuse. It was eye opening to learn that people turn to things like anxiety and anorexia to try and control their lives. This book is recommended to everyone who as experienced child abuse.
This book can be applied to people who developed disorders other than anorexia as a result of child abuse. It was eye opening to learn that people turn to things like anxiety and anorexia to try and control their lives. This book is recommended to everyone who as experienced child abuse.
May 7, 2020
As someone with an eating disorder this was hard yet comforting to read. I was 40 when I developed mine , it was after a double mastectomy and then reconstruction surgery that almost killed me. It literally was the only thing I could control. 5 years later and I still struggle. It feels good to know someone understands.
August 18, 2017
Short but very good. The abuse scenes are hard to read, but this story is up there with 'A Child Called It'.
June 20, 2020
Great read
It’s a sad story and it sad to read the awful things that kids go through on daily basis. I enjoy the happy endings.
It’s a sad story and it sad to read the awful things that kids go through on daily basis. I enjoy the happy endings.
November 17, 2015
Childhood abuse
It's amazing this woman is still alive. She is clearly stronger than she's aware. I know, too, that words hurt way more than fists. I recommend this book, to anyone. It may help!
It's amazing this woman is still alive. She is clearly stronger than she's aware. I know, too, that words hurt way more than fists. I recommend this book, to anyone. It may help!
December 2, 2013
A sad story of a mother's abuse that was the turning point of Annie's anorexia
November 23, 2014
Great story! I want to read more of her story. Amazing writer.
June 20, 2014
Another great book by Sarah!
June 17, 2015
Loving yourself.
Really good. Moving. To express how I felt reading this book, thank you for writing it. What else to say?
Really good. Moving. To express how I felt reading this book, thank you for writing it. What else to say?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews