Book Review: Being Ana

“What if I let go of it? What part of me will die?  Why can I not let go of it for anything? What part of me does this disorder define?  Who will I be without it? What will I be?  Where will I be?” These words are just a snippet of the thoughts captured in Shani Raviv’s journal, years into her anorexia. This journal entry captures the questions that readers may experience while reading her memoir. They also aptly depict the internal struggle that Raviv felt over the course of her illness. Raviv’s memoir, Being Ana: A Memoir of Anorexia Nervosa chronicles her journey into and out of her illness. Raviv’s story begins in her adolescence, which is when her anorexia began. She describes a scene that begins in a restaurant where her family is encouraging her to eat, and culminates with her losing control in the bathroom. The family dynamics have a clear and direct impact on her development and condition. Raviv describes her mother as having a more “hands-off” approach to raising her daughters, and she is subjected to mature themes while still young. Her father is more controlling, and their relationship is very tense. At one point, he tells her that she is no longer his daughter. “With those few words, my father had affirmed my deeply held belief that I wasn’t worthy. I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t lovable. And I accepted it. I believed it. I owned it,” writes Raviv. As she continues into adulthood, she cycles between waitressing and bartendi...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Book Reviews Disorders Family Substance Abuse anorexia book anorexia nervosa book memoir about anorexia Source Type: news