Ms. Brown, I'm sure your book is well-written and informative, and you obviously have experience with anorexia as the parent of a daughter who suffered with it. However, your experience doesn't put you in the position to make sweeping generalizations as to what does or does not cause this complex illness, and your condescending comments (ie "actually it's not about control" or "there is no evidence to support this") are both misleading and alienating. Your assertion that anorexics' restrictive behavior is a way to alleviate anxiety well documented among the professionals, but where the anxiety comes from originally is another matter. It most certainly CAN come from a fear of growing up, or from feeling out of control in the face of a loved one's death, or from having been powerless to stop sexual advances from an adult. But you say it's a brain hardwiring issue, without addressing traumatic events that could lead to unbearable anxiety. The extent to which people ignore the mind/body connection frightens me. Because you have written a book about your own family's struggle with anorexia does NOT mean you know the cause or cure for all victims, and suggesting that others are wrong is irresponsible and alienating.
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Ms. Brown, I'm sure your book is well-written and informative, and you obviously have experience with anorexia as the parent of a daughter who suffered with it. However, your experience doesn't put you in the position to make sweeping generalizations as to what does or does not cause this complex illness, and your condescending comments (ie "actually it's not about control" or "there is no evidence to support this") are both misleading and alienating. Your assertion that anorexics' restrictive behavior is a way to alleviate anxiety well documented among the professionals, but where the anxiety comes from originally is another matter. It most certainly CAN come from a fear of growing up, or from feeling out of control in the face of a loved one's death, or from having been powerless to stop sexual advances from an adult. But you say it's a brain hardwiring issue, without addressing traumatic events that could lead to unbearable anxiety. The extent to which people ignore the mind/body connection frightens me. Because you have written a book about your own family's struggle with anorexia does NOT mean you know the cause or cure for all victims, and suggesting that others are wrong is irresponsible and alienating.
November 16, 2011 - 10:13pmThis Comment
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