Nicole Schneckenberg "Imaginary Bodies, Real Entities"
Another conclusion of mine about the work that addresses the resolution of identity conflicts with appearance and the return to the true self.
"The book is written for anyone who has ever looked in the mirror and identified themselves with what they saw in it," the author begins with this epigraph. It's no coincidence that the cover of the book is illustrated with a photo of a doll. This handmade doll was given to Nicole. She was fascinated by seeing in it a metaphor of herself, specifically "the person others called Nicole," who had strayed from her true self and was pieced together from the fragments of other people's expectations.
The book is divided into three parts:
- Mirrors and Myths;
- The Spiritual Aspects of Psychological Disorder;
- Appendices.
Why Nicole? The author experienced anorexia nervosa and describes the experience of starvation and living with the illness from the inside. I was fortunate to personally meet Nicole Schnackenberg during her visit to Kyiv. I was captivated by the fragility and strength, the tenderness and tact of this petite woman.
What's really in the book? Nicole analyzes how conflicts with appearance arise when the body is viewed as an object. She discusses the body modification industry (surgical alterations to body and facial contours) and self-harm (tattoos, piercings, branding, and scarring). She also delves deeply into emotional pain from the perspective of attachment theory.
Why is it important to read this book?
If you work with Eating Disorders (ED) and body image, it's essential to read this book and even work through it-with a pencil and notebook, in multiple sittings. It's worth it and will certainly provide a deeper understanding of the issue. In the appendices, you'll find breathing exercises, mantras, body scans, and a letter to your body-tools familiar to many psychotherapists and indispensable in working with body and eating disorders.
Who might not like the book?
People who are unfamiliar with the subject of eating disorders and body image. In my view, the writing style is rather heavy for an unprepared reader. The narrative is overloaded with terminology, complex sentences, and references to research.
It won't appeal to those who hold a simplistic view of ED and believe that anorexia = perfectionism, that parents are to blame, or that one just needs to "stop eating and get a grip."
Do I recommend this book to my clients? More yes than no. But I would recommend it to those who are not at the beginning of their journey.