A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia - Essay Example

Marya Hornbacher’s “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” gives a candid account of her struggles with eating disorders. Undoubtedly, I agree with her metaphorical reference to having recovered from the “underworld”. Eating disorders are conditions that most young women battle with in an effort to “satisfy” societal demands. They think that it is fashionable to be thin. Just like Marya and Jane, they end up subjecting their bodies to torturous situations of food denial. Based on her experience, Marya has ended up becoming skeptical about doctors and therapists who stereotype anorexia and bulimia as characteristic feature of adolescents.

This memoir is indeed an eye-opener to the bitter lives of anorexics and bulimics. As she rightly states, one never realizes their gradual slip into the condition until when their body and soul become two separate entities. Chapters 1 to 4 depict the family and societal misunderstanding of a person’s struggling with the condition. Like many other girls, Marya’s intense struggle with bulimia is evident when at the onset of her puberty. This is the stage where most girls become conscious of their sexuality and, hence, desire to maintain a particular body shape. Peer pressure is also the other contributing factor.

The recovery process from eating disorders is a painful and risky experience. Marya clearly understood Jane’s problem despite the doctor’s skepticism and indifference. I find the book very informative, especially for young girls who may be struggling with the experience. Chapter 7 restores hope as we could see Marya making a deliberate effort to recover from anorexia. In conclusion, therefore, the memoir is a timely and accurate first-hand recount of the struggle with eating disorders. However, her negative attitude toward doctors is extreme per se, which readers should consider with caution.