Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders

by Jennifer L. Gaudiani

Patients with eating disorders frequently feel that they aren’t "sick enough" to merit treatment, despite medical problems that are both measurable and unmeasurable. They may struggle to accept rest, nutrition, and a team to help them move towards recovery. Sick Enough offers patients, their families, and clinicians a comprehensive, accessible review of the medical issues that arise from eating disorders by bringing relatable case presentations and a scientifically sound, engaging style to the topic. Using metaphor and patient-centered language, Dr. Gaudiani aims to improve medical diagnosis and treatment, motivate recovery, and validate the lived experiences of individuals of all body shapes and sizes, while firmly rejecting dieting culture.　

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Health, Self Help, Nutrition, Audiobook

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2018

Reviews

[Hannah H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hard read, and I feel like that must be explained upfront. I really don’t recommend it for individuals who are currently battling an eating disorder but aren’t working with a therapist and dietitian regularly. Because this book details many consequences of eating disorders, it can bring up some heavy questions and a lot of sadness, as well. I found it helpful to process with my dietitian. I would also recommend that you exercise wisdom and caution in reading. I chose to skip a few chapters for that very reason; they detailed behaviors I don’t struggle with and I didn’t want to give my head any further narrative about additional ED behaviors.

Each chapter consists of relevant information that’s tied together with stories of real ED warriors. Sub-topics are numerous—from specific consequences of the types of EDs to EDs among older individuals. I particularly liked the chapter about EDs among athletes.

I highly recommend this book as it provided many “aha!” Moments of clarity for me, is beneficial for loved ones, and is incredibly convicting. I walked away from this one with a greater appreciation for my body’s resilience and an increased desire to fight the ED.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I’m a dietitian at a residential eating disorder treatment facility and I learned so much from this book. It was full of good information and was written in such an engaging way. I love that it has the versatility to be useful for clinicians, those struggling with an eating disorder, and families. I will definitely be using this book and its information in my work with clients and recommending it to them to read as well!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is relevant for anyone struggling with an eating disorder regardless where they are in their journey. Rather you need reasons to recover or want reasons to stay recovered.

It is not triggering since they don't focus on weight and numbers. In fact they touch on atypical anorexia and atypical bulimia and talk about how it shouldn't be as stigmatised as it is. That treatment centers should have more "health at every size" approaches. This was huge for me. I didn't think I was sick enough anymore because I don't look like I have anorexia ( what most people consider anorexia anyway ). I struggle everyday with thinking I'll never be "sick enough" for treatment and this book and my therapist have helped prove me wrong.

It's written in common language (you don't have to be a medical student to understand it ). It's pricey but it's worth every cent. It could possibly save your life and there's no price tag on that.

[abby j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so informative and empathetic. the author writes with a passion that allows this to stand out as more than just a bland medical textbook. i really appreciate the extended chapters about diet culture, weight stigma, and improper treatment of eating disorders due to ignorance among medical professionals. i would highly recommend this to anyone at a solid place in their ED recovery. if you are still in the throes of your illness, this could be triggering, as it is quite graphic. but otherwise, an important read for reshaping your mindset around food and health scientifically, psychologically, and socially.

[Maria Rubatino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is far too extreme. I appreciate all of the scientific information, but the opinions (HAES and All foods fit) aren’t working—you can tell that by the recovery rate at her clinic. This book must be taken with a big grain of salt (which should be regulated...don’t just eat all the salt you want).

[Taylor Schembari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has struggled with disordered eating or loves someone who struggles should read this book. The science and research behind each chapter is a hard but necessary reality to face.

This book was a beautiful reminder that we are not alone. We are all fighting together and can relate to each other’s journeys in one way or another to find strength.

[Roxanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Writing this months later, so take it with a pinch of salt). Interesting concept, and a lot of relevant information, but also reads as a full-length advert for her (expensive) clinic.

[Noura · Rating 5 out of 5]

قريت الكتاب هذا عشان احتجته كمصدر لموضوع اكتبه لمادة الإنجليزي للجامعة. قعدت اقراه لمدة 9 ساعات واستمتعت مررة واستفدت كثير اشياء منه
الكاتبة أخصائية تغذية ويجونها كثييير نساء ورجال وكبار بالسن يعانون من اضطرابات الأكل بشتى انواعها
ف كتابها يتكلم عن تأثير تجويع النفس واضطرابات الأكل على الجسم ووظائفه وكيف ممكن يؤدي لأشياء خطيرة مثل هشاشة العظام وانقطاع الطمث للنساء ومشاكل أخرى مثل الإكتئاب ويدرس تجارب على نساء ورجال
احد التجارب المذكورة جابو رجال شاركو بالحرب وعندهم بنية جسدية قوية
وسوو عليهم تجربة خلوهم يستهلكون عدد محدد من الكالوريز يوميًا وراقبو حالتهم الجسدية والنفسية بعدها. ووجدو ان صار عندهم تفكير مفرط وقلق واكتئاب وصارو يحسون بمشاعر سلبية او نقد اتجاه الناس اللي تاكل طبيعي! وهذا شي حقيقي وقد مر علينا كثير، الأشخاص اللي ماياكلون ويجوعون نفسهم ويتنمرون الشخص اللي ياكل وينادونه بالسمين الخ...
وبرضو تذكر بالكتاب تأثير تجويع النفس على المدى البعيد وان الجسم لايتعافى بشكل كامل منه ويستمر تأثيره حتى لكبار السن
من احدى الحالات اللي جتها للعيادة وحده ثلاثينيه أصبحت غير قادره على الإنجاب بسبب اضطرابات أكلها في سن المراهقة!
وتتكلم عن أشياء اكثرر كتابها لكن حاولت اختصر.

[Emily Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and insightful collection of thoughts, studies and case studies surrounding the different presentations of eating disorders and the medical complications they often bring. I found the information to be incredibly relevant and well organized while being readable for a wide variety of audiences.

“Collectively, we must recognize that suffering of the mind, in ways that we can not measure, might be just as real and painful as that of the physical body.”

[Nikol Metaxa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an ED therapist, this book is SO helpful in learning about the medical complications and consequences of disordered eating. Highly recommend to all clinicians (even ones that don’t work with EDs). So useful in helping provide psychoeducation!!

[Natalie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I didn’t read this book earlier, as it is often referenced at my job. This book taught me so much, and I highly recommend it.

[Auburn Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY MEDICAL. Learned A LOT about how the body works in general.

[Sienna-Rose D.R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was frankly shocked at the authors mishandling of “larger bodied” EDs. She gives low weight Ed’s the respect of using the correct medical language and going into great detail on the medical complications involved there, spending 6 chapters on it. She happily uses the term “underweight” or emaciation but she blantently and specifically refuses to lend higher weight folk the same respect. She treats “overweight” and “obese” as if they are slurs. I hope she deeply regrets her dismissal of higher weight Ed’s physical struggles and regrets repeating shallow interpretations on oft repeated studies that are used to dismiss our experiences and justify our eating disordered behaviour. She has no trouble recommending weight restoration for low weight EDs, but only repeats half baked, debunked internet talking points to avoid the reality of the physical ramifications that higher weight folk experience. We can change the way we talk about weight, and change how the medical industry cares for overweight and obese patients, without ignoring reality.

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This book is free on Audible btw)I had no idea of the complexity of eating disorders until I had a loved one struggling with it. This book was so eye opening. Lots of medical language and whatnot in talking about treatment for the case studies, but don't let that deter you from checking out this book. So much to gain from this and not just in understanding eating disorders but also in the everyday struggle that many people, including myself, go through in body acceptance and their relationship with food.

[Vita Mikuličiūtė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knygos pavadinimas ir klaidinantis, ir atspindintis turinį. Viena vertus, knyga pirmiausia skirta gydytojams, joje daug techninės informacijos, gydymo rekomendacijų ir t.t. Kita vertus, ji tikrai naudinga tiek pacientams, tiek kitų sričių specialistams. Stebėtina, kaip įtaigiai autorė perteikia savo humanistinę ir labai pozityvią poziciją kūno ir valgymo atžvilgiu: valgyti reikia viską, visų apimčių kūnai gali būti gražūs ir sveiki. Svarbiausia, kad maistas ir sportas būtų malonumas, o ne obsesija,

[Liz Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t read anything else: read the conclusion of this book.

I loved this book and author’s perspective with an inclusive, gender affirming, positive, and accepting voice that advocates for the eating disorder community. In a world of ableist, biased, and misinformed people and medical professionals, finishing this book made me feel like I have at least a small grasp of how to acknowledge, support, love, and care for the people in my life who have an eating disorder, or negative body images in general.
As the author clarifies at the beginning and throughout the book, only read this if you feel capable of reading about this doctor’s experiences with their patients with eating disorders. I hope to read it again someday.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve dealt with personal disordered eating of different varieties since I was a teenager and this book was unexpectedly compassionate and complex in its description of the ways people deal with these particular issues. It was highly medical, but still incredibly accessible. I’m glad it exists and encourage anyone who suffers from eating disorders, or who knows someone who does, to read this.

[Joe Pickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for patient and clinician alike. Dr. Gaudiani’s wisdom is firmly grounded in an inclusive, HAES approach that extends compassion and gentle guidance to people of all shapes and sizes suffering from this pernicious set of illnesses.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Gaudiani does such a fantastic job of addressing the complex side effects of eating disorders in an informative way while also remaining sensitive to the patient's feelings and limitations. Easily one of the best ED resources I've come across.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating, in-depth book focusing on the many and very different eating disorders with a common theme that most who are diagnosed never view themselves as being sufficiently ill enough to warrant treatment, therapy, or alteration of behaviors. There is no end to the damage inflicted by our culture, families, and inner food disorder voice. The author does an excellent job of presenting examples, case studies, outcomes, treatment, and causes for relapse or failure altogether of the treatment. If you’ve ever wondered if you have an eating disorder, become overly fixated on food rules or routines, or found that your views about your body or your eating habits are at odds with trusted family members and friends, this book is for you.

[Sydney Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational regarding the world of ed’s and the toll that they take on the human body and mind

[Jurgita · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Bookbringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Jennifer Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information, just select the chapters that you need.

[Kate Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful and thorough review of ED and lot of myths about recovery

[Josh Yeadon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! I learned a hell of a lot from this book.
Definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in health in general.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book, a valuable resource for anyone working with people with eating disorders. 📖

[Sophia Reutzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me when I’m literally the first example 🧍‍♀️

Idk yall im at a crossroads in life but this book was very comprehensive- I would definitely recommend to any patient, care giver, or support.

[Sarah Cohn Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book comes off like medical reading for medical professionals, but not only is it written it a really digestible way, the info and insight it offers is so relevant for anyone living in the world

[Scarlett Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really solid resource that I would recommend to many. Readable for people with different levels of health literacy, it is written with enough sound research and recommendation to be helpful to healthcare providers and with enough compassion and (sometimes necessarily uncomfortable) honesty to be a tool for the caregivers of or persons suffering from an eating disorder. This book came recommended by a couple I highly respect, one being a physician in a pediatric subspecialty. This physician, and as we learned several other physicians and APPs we spoke with, did not receive adequate, focused training on the care of patients with eating disorders. There is a glaring need to remedy this, and Dr. Gaudiani’s work is an accessible place to start the conversation.

Personally, as a Christian, there were understandably a few chapters that rubbed against certain convictions, such as the use of medications to suppress pubertal development in transgender adolescents, particularly in those who concurrently suffer from an eating disorder. However, I actually found this to be a positive experience because it reiterated the interdependence of the healthcare team. I can love and value my neighbor, whoever they are, by offering them the best care I know how to provide while directing them to resources out of my scope.