Full: A Memoir of Overcoming an Eating Disorder

by Sara Gottfried

For almost a decade, Sara was held hostage to wanting the perfect physical image. It was not until late adolescence that her disorder came to fruition, physical that is. Full of ED is her powerful and utterly raw story of her battle with anorexia and learning to share her story. Filled with humor, wisdom, and inspiration, readers will feel empowered to overcome their own battle with disordered eating.

When Sara was 16 years old her battle with anorexia began. What started off as a “simple” diet and wanting to be “healthy,” quickly spiraled into a path of rigidity, confinement, and malnourishment. She lost the most innate desire the human body has, to eat. Everything that Sara once found joy and pleasure in, seemed to only fuel her anxiety. Sara began to lose herself mentally, emotionally, and physically.

She battled through endless appointments, unrelenting questions from doctors and professionals, and feelings of defeat and overwhelm. She was full. Full of ED.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2022

About the author

I graduated from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor of Science and went on to complete an Advanced Standing Social Work program at Boston University, obtaining my Master of Social Work, with a trauma specialization.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts and work as a School Social Worker at an elementary school outside of Boston and as a therapist at a private practice. I am also a member of the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter and dedicates my time volunteering with the Chapter, in addition to other organizations.

Full: A Memoir of Overcoming an Eating Disorder is my first memoir.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

A big beware to anybody recovering from an eating disorder, this book is full of numbers - meal plan numbers, calories consumed (while actively engaging in behaviours), calories burned during exercise, low weights, etc. It baffles my mind that in 2022, people still write books thinking these values offer anything beneficial to a recovery story. They don't. They never will. Sharing a low weight perpetuates the idea that eating disorders have one look and one look only. Nobody gets over their eating disorder because someone else shares their lowest weight. Eating disorders are competitive in nature. Sharing any of these numbers is grossly negligent to anyone in recovery.

The book is only 182 pages - but the author only uses the last several pages to talk about recovering from her eating disorder. Sure, there were other "recovery" attempts mentioned throughout the book (but by force and by choice) - which is absolutely normal in recovery - but for a book that has in the title "A memoir of overcoming an eating disorder...", you would expect there to be a bit more insight about recovery. A more fitting title would be "A memoir of an eating disorder."

0.5 stars/5. To those in recovery or thinking about recovery, I would recommend you skip this book entirely.

[Sarah Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished in 1 night, super quick. I love eating disorder content but it was written soooo poorly. Like a required highschool essay. I want an ED book that goes more into the mental game of fighting w food issues - who knows where this dream book is??? This book is an overview of the times med professionals were rude to her. Not novel, creative, or interesting. I could have written this without experiencing and ED.

[Lisa Kresge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving and honest memoir. Compelling story of the author’s experience as well as her parents’ experience.

[Katelyn Spielman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this while I wrestle with my own eating disorder(s) and it truly brought me hope for the future

[Kate Reilly]

Read for class, was really insightful on the impacts it can have on learning and everyday life.