Abstract

Many people with an eating disorder also suffer from low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Eating disorders such an Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia are maladaptive coping mechanisms, and recovery requires the learning of new, healthy coping skills.

One Life is a positive and inspirational first person account of one girl’s path to recovery. The book boldly details her eleven-week stay in a residential eating disorder clinic – showing her progress from near-death on admission to a full recovery on departure. Each of the 11 chapters of the book deals with a week of her stay there, and opens with a positive coping strategy, and advice as to how and when to use it.

Encouraging readers that a setback is nothing more than a challenge to be overcome, this inspirational book will help people at all stages of recovery from an eating disorder, as well as their families, and the psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers and other health professionals who work with them.

`This is a beautifully written personal account illustrating the devastation caused by an eating disorder and, ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit. Naomi tells her story with honesty, integrity, and shares skills and insight that helped her navigate the challenging path to recovery.`
Laura A. Gillespie, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Adolescent Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
`By sharing the wisdom and insights learned during her treatment experiences, Naomi inspires others to reach out for help and to know that recovery is possible. The unique way that Naomi combines the telling of her story along with the teaching of practical coping skills from her "tool book" creates a wonderful, down-to-earth guide for anyone searching for recovery.`
Gayle Brooks, Ph.D.
`A valuable resource for anyone wishing to learn more about eating disorders, One Life will be of interest to people at all stages of recovery. Equally, close friends and family and medical practitioners wishing to expand their current knowledge on the subject will also find it useful.`
Inside Out
In summary, the value of One Life: Hope, Healing, and Inspiration on the Path to Recovery from Eating Disorders depends on the audience. Its messages and realistic presentation of a young woman battling anorexia will help clients with eating disorders, their friends and families. Therapists curious about the body in psychotherapy will learn how potentially fatal anorexia can be, how physically, as well as emotionally challenging, the path to recovery is, and how movement therapy counters the disconnections from self and others that characterise the disease... Finally, Ms.Feigenbaum's inspirational text points, however indirectly, to the need to educate medical and mental health professionals. Employing mindful attention to the body and body image, whether through kinesthetic sensing or dance/movement therapy, is essential to the treatment of all forms of eating disorders, not just to the treatment of men and women struggling with anorexia.
Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, Danielle L Fraenkel, Director, Kinections, at Imagine Square
`The writter's bravery in challenging, and ultimately recovering from, such a devastating illness serves as evidence to others that there really is hope of a positive and successful outcome...Feigenbaum's literary style is consistently empathic and supportive throughout the book. Her honesty and candidness about her own personal situation, alongside her efforts to support others in a similar position, should be highly commended.`
mental health, Sara Adshead, locum consultant psychiatrist
Naomi Feigenbaum was first diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa at the age of 14, and suffered a relapse when she was 19, before being admitted to the Renfrew Center in Florida, US. Since her recovery, Naomi has undertaken a bachelors degree in Psychology at Cleveland State University.
`This is an honest and real account of Naomi's search for recovery, and looks at self-confidence, healthy coping skills, self-belief, self-expression, friendship and the importance of the therapeuticrelationship. It affirms that we do only have one life; one life to achieve our goals, one life to live well. This is a truly inspirational journey. One Life can provide hope for any sufferer, carer or professional concerned with an eating disorder.`
Children and Young People Now