READINGS
books for eating disorder recovery, IFS, trauma, EMDR, and relationships with yourself and others
Intuitive Eating - Evelyn Tribole
Fantastic resource for anyone looking to break away from diet culture, whether you have an eating disorder or just a difficult relationship with yo-yo dieting. Written by nutritionists to help people understand how to have a healthier relationship with food; one not based around rules and telling your body when you can/can’t eat. The authors want to help you learn how to listen to your body and experience freedom with food.
Sick Enough - Jennifer Gaudiani
If you’ve ever had the thought that you’re not sick enough, or don’t think your eating disorder is concerning, this book helps you to understand the dangers of an eating disorder from a medical perspective. It outlines all different types of eating disorders and how to give yourself the compassion you need to seek treatment and help. Also a helpful read for friends/family members!
The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
This book looks to address the different beliefs that you may have that can hold you back. It addresses topics such as how to not take things personally, taking responsibility for your life and only your life, and living in line with your values to create a life that you feel good about living.
8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder - Carolyn Costin
This is a good resource for those who think they may be struggling from an eating disorder, as well as friends and family members who want to learn how to help. Written by two people who recovered from eating disorders and have become therapists helping people from their own experience, it gives information about the mindset behind an eating disorder and ways to begin challenging it.
Getting Past Your Past - Francine Shapiro
This book gives an introduction to EMDR - Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. For someone who is interested in EMDR but doesn’t know if it’s “for you,” this book gives some examples to try at home and lots of stories about different people and how EMDR made a difference in their lives to heal from trauma, depression, negative family dynamics, and more.
No Bad Parts - Richard Schwartz
This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to better understand IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy. While we all have parts of ourselves that we may struggle with (for example, those anxious parts that keep our minds racing), Schwartz introduces readers to the idea that every part of us is working to help us and often the parts just don’t know how! A read for those looking to build compassion for themselves and begin healing.
Eating in the Light of the Moon - Anita Johnston
Written for womxn (it’s written to discuss the female experience but there are incredible bits of wisdom for people of any gender) who want to understand their eating disorder and ways to truly heal, using the resources you already have within you. This book focuses on understanding your eating disorder as more than just a “food” issue and instead uses story to help you understand it from a spiritual perspective.
Life Without ED - Jenni Schafer
Jenni is an author that is “recovered” - not just “in recovery.” She shares about how she was able to break away from her eating disorder by comparing it to leaving a toxic marriage. Her ability to think about her eating disorder as a separate person outlines how to set boundaries and envision your eating disorder in a new light - someone that you have to leave in order to take care of yourself and heal.
Health at Every Size - Lindo Bacon
The Health at Every Size approach goes hand-in-hand with eating disorder recovery - no matter what the size of your body may be, that is not what determines your health. This book deconstructs common medical beliefs about weight, BMI, and health with a more inclusive approach.
What My Bones Know - Stephanie Foo
Stephanie Foo describes her experience growing up in a home dictated by physical and verbal abuse, landing her in many therapist offices and finally receiving a diagnosis of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Foo describes her experience with learning how to regulate her emotions, find safety in her relationships, develop gratitude for her life - but ultimately, walks her readers through the reality of living with complex trauma and what healing looks like.