Nicole Johns doesn't look like she has an eating disorder, and for a long time that was a problem. She was diagnosed as having EDNOS, or an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
"'You can have an eating disorder at any weight, you can be overweight, underweight, average weight. It doesn't matter. It's not all about the weight.' — Nicole Johns, author of a book on her experiences with ED"
I almost cried when I read this quote. It's so frustrating for me to know that when I went weeks without eating in high school nobody even cared--and many of those that noticed the weight loss were HAPPY because I was "finally paying attention to my weight." There's only one person to whom I've even admitted that it was anything other than a stomach bug.
Hi zippam,
ReplyDeleteThis is Nicole Johns, author of Purge: Rehab Diaries. I came across your blogger entry about my book, and I'm glad that what I said resonated with you. Like you, when I lost weight at certain times, people thought it was a good thing, like I was taking care of myself (even though I didn't really need to lose weight and everything about how I was losing it screamed eating disorder). Just know that you aren't alone in this, and I'm glad you blogged about it. The more people that open up about EDNOS and debunk the myth that eating disorder=superskinny, the better. Also, I LOVE the name of your blog. I'm a fan of Ani DiFranco as well. :) Take care, Nicole