Here is a small sampling of letters and emails received in response to 'The Secret Language of Eating Disorders' by Peggy Claude-Pierre
SUFFER'S COMMENTS
I am 27 years old and I am a clinical and health psychologist. At the moment, I don't see a way, just a big black hole…I don't know how to go on. All these self-reproaches, doubts, insults…the voice that doesn't allow me to eat, to live, to have wishes. Sometimes when I don't feel well I take your book and read some pages and for a short time it helps me. I want to say thank you for your love and your understanding, even though I don't know if I really deserve it.
- M. S. S. from Austria
I have a daughter with anorexia and have found a psychologist who thinks the way you do about this condition. We have both read your book and the psychologist would very much like to contact you. May I give her your email address? There is a lot of anorexia in the schools in South Africa and the most common way of treating this condition here is to put them in to hospitals. We would very much like to start a new trend.
- S. P. from South Africa
You break our hearts and overwhelm us with inspiration.
- B. D. from Massachusetts
We recently read your book and it really touches a nerve. Please keep up your tireless efforts, you are a true positive light to both sufferers and family and friends in this dark disease. Forever in gratitude.
- A. P. from California
Words cannot express my gratitude. You have given me my life! A life I now know is very valuable. I wish I could hug the one person on this earth who understands me. You are special to me and many others. I wish everyone owned a copy of your book. It gets me through many hard days I feel like giving up on. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I truly love you. You are my hero!
- H. K. from Canada
Because of you and your story, I managed to stay well. I saw a program about your center some years ago, and it inspired me to keep up life, and not give in. Are you still working with eating disorders? I guess All I wanted with this mail, is to thank you for giving me the inspiration and hope that you did back then.
- D. S. from Denmark
I was wondering if there is any chance that you might think Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) can be helped the same way you help anorexia disorder. I think you are on the right track to curing anyone who has a self-hatred disorder. That is why I look at your site as the last hope I have.
- T. from Canada
I have to thank you again for who you are and what you do. I feel like I want to do so much to repay everyone who is helping and caring. I know the best thing would be able to be well and happy. I will keep on trying and I will not give in to this insidious disease. I will keep in touch and thank you for your concern and interest in my well-being.
- W. S. from Arizona
I read your book and it gave me a different perspective…I applaud your work and research. I respect your opinion and in-depth knowledge. Thank you.
- S. K. C. from Georgia
Tonight I found your website and I just cried because I have finally found someone who understands people like myself. I love and care for people so much and I just wish that I could help and protect them from anything bad. This must sound crazy to most people out there, but I am not scared to telling you because I know that you will understand rather than label me as being crazy. Thank you so much for your book and website. Thank you for loving us and caring about us all. Thank you for taking the time to learn so that you can understand us. Thank you for helping so many people to recover from their eating disorder. Most of all thank you for being you. You are one of God's angels, with a heart flowing with endless love. You are my inspiration.
- I. S. from email
I battled both anorexia and bulimia for over 20 years. In recovery, I came to view my eating disorder as a blessing (your book, was extremely valuable to me). For it was in the process of recovery that I came to know my true self.
- N. K., MFT from Oregon
I was drawn to your love and compassion immediately. Your book was so incredibly insightful. The 'Letter to Sufferers" is the first think I tell someone who is suffering and gets the book to read. It is so personal and so directed toward us. This book has shown us that there is hope, love and help from those around us. I hope to know full wellness someday and, more so, know it will come for my daughter because of your lessons and insight in to this illness. This book not only explains the CNC disorder but also teaches wonderful lessons of compassion and kindness for everyone. Thank you for the sunshine in what can otherwise be a very dark place.
- F. C. from Virginia
In the years that I was most entrenched in my eating disorder, I read your book. Upon reading it, a whole new light was shed on my disorder. Words that I didn't have the capacity to speak spilled of the pages, with such accuracy that my heart strained to better capture insight to what was happening in my mind. No one had ever met me on that level before, and to this day, no one has, except people who have suffered or are suffering from an eating disorder themselves. I believe eating disorders to be the most vicious attack on a human soul. It is a disorder that debilitates a person not only emotionally, but physically, intellectually and spiritually. Thank you so much for your time, and thank you for your dedication to bringing light, truth and hope to sufferers of eating disorders.
- W. B. from USA
I was thoroughly amazed by what you have done and continue to do. I am so inspired by what you are doing. Thank you so much!
- D. F. A. from Ohio
Tears tumble down my cheeks as I write, unable to express through words how much you have touched my soul. I am 19 years old and have struggled with anorexia for as long as I can remember. Yet when I read your book and began to learn more about your approach, I was inspired and hopeful. I have begun to fight this disease that has plagued me with every shred of my being. Someday I hope to touch others suffering from this horrible illness the way that you have. Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do. God bless you.
- D. E. from email
Please allow me to introduce myself as your #1 fan. You are my hero and role model. Currently, I am a full-time graduate student, pursuing my PhD in clinical psychology. I am writing, first of all, to thank you for writing your fabulous book, "The Secret Language of Eating Disorders". It was so touching and inspiring that I read it all in one sitting. I know that your clinic and methods have come under scrutiny, but please don't be discouraged by that. As Albert Einstein said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition form mediocre minds". Again, thank you for filling this world with love, kindness, compassion and hope. Your persistence, idealism and courage are to be commended.
- H. S. from Washington D.C.
Thank you so much for letting me email you. I've had a horrible day today and don't know what else to do but email you. Thank you for reading my mail. Thank you for everything. Thank you for helping people with this hideous pain. You are so great. Thank you.
- K. L. from Finland
I believe I suffer from CNC. My background is consistent with what you suggest in your book may be the underlying causes of CNC. I was an incredibly responsible child growing up. Thank you for writing your beautiful book.
- J. from Illinois
I know that you are an expert in the field and have had you own personal encounter with this "devil" of a disease. I also agree with your humanistic treatment approach, and the need for compassion and unconditional love and support.
- Y. H. from email
I read your book and even though I am no professional I have to say I am completely sold on your beliefs. Is there some kind of website that lists practitioners of your methodology? Please help…I know you are a woman with a huge burden to bear, yet you are truly blessed…thank you for the light. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- V. S. from New York
Because of you and your story, I managed to stay well, I saw a program about your center some years ago, and it inspired me to keep up life and not give in. Are you still working with eating disorders? I guess all I wanted with this email it to thank you for giving me the inspiration and hope that you did back then.
- B. S. from Denmark
PARENTS COMMENTS:
Reading your book was like having a light turned on in a totally darkened room. Our beautiful son almost died from anorexia and we simply could not understand what was happening to him.
Watching him waste away to a mere 86 pounds (on a 6'0" frame) and feeling so helpless shredded our hearts and almost tore our family apart. Mercifully he received great help from a recovered sufferer in our hometown, but still nothing made sense to us in this devastating situation. Then one day my husband noticed your book in a bookstore and immediately sensed it's significance. As we read we began for the first time to have a glimpse of the path which had led our son into such despair and our family into such turmoil. Your loving, powerfully documented explanation of the mindset of other people like our precious, sensitive, young man (then seventeen) was extremely helpful. Our new-found understanding meant that our son could rest somewhat in the knowledge that our understanding had been deepened considerably. We could convey this understanding to him because our frustrations melted away through your warm encouragement and because we found a new way of communicating with him with your guidance.
For my husband the greatest impact of the book was contained in Chapter 3 "Myths and Misconceptions". The release triggered by this understanding resulted in tremendous healing for him. For me, your writing removed the barriers which had produced so much fear and isolation. Some of the material has the potential to shock the reader, but it is handled with such empathy and sensitivity that it is all very helpful.
While your book has focus on eating disorders the underlying message applies to all those with a naturally sensitive disposition. We keep several copies of the book on hand and constantly loan them out as we meet people with the need to understand this desperate and wide-spread problem.
