Book Review: Decoding Anorexia: How Breakthroughs in Science Offer Hope for Eating Disorders by Carrie Arnold

Published in 2012, Carrie Arnold gives insights into the scientific advances in knowledge on both anorexia causes and treatments in a refreshing way that doesn't feel like a book that is already almost 10 years old.

Arnold blends scientific studies and interviews with professionals and researchers that allows for a fluid writing style between factual information and conversations with experts. Additionally, the author shares personal anecdotes and interviews other eating disorder sufferers which makes the research information more relatable without diminishing one's ability to distinguish between fact and narration.

Overall, the book is incredibly readable and digestible considering the immense amount of information contained in it.

Arnold starts with a history of anorexia followed by psychological research on anorexia, focusing on personality traits and connections to OCD, among other topics. Then, she moves to the biological factors which seem to be largely underestimated. She covers genetics, the adapted to flee hypothesis and reward contamination, to just name few. The last section concerns the effectiveness of different treatments of which it seems that the ones used the least are the most effective.

Personally, the chapters on biology were the most helpful to me. They contained a myriad of information that I had never heard of, making me see my disorder in a completely different light. I had previously come at it from a Freudian perspective where I thought that trauma was the main driver of my disorder. I had to realize how powerful underlying biological mechanisms were and that no matter how much I talk about my family in therapy, it might not get me to eat again. 

The core message seems to be that the best way to heal is to simply eat, ideally with someone else and even if it feels like crap. Talking cannot overcome underlying biological mechanisms. It can however help you manage your relapse triggers.

It was invaluable to me to understand that the "I will go to talk therapy until I feel like eating again" line of thinking was flawed.