Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review: "Nourishment: Feeding My starving Soul When My Mind and Body Betrayed Me

Monday, March 21, 2011

Book Review: "Nourishment: Feeding My starving Soul When My Mind and Body Betrayed Me

About the Book
Stupid. Fat. Freak. These are the labels Melissa Binstock bestowed upon herself. Diagnosed with six different disorders by the age of eleven, Melissa was drowning in medications, treatments, and isolation. Feeling defined and controlled by Tourette syndrome, dyslexia, ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorder, and anorexia, Melissa spent her teenage years emotionally empty, socially stunted, and filled with confusion and self-hatred. How must it feel to live with so many life-altering disorders simultaneously and what wisdom can be found through living such a tortured existence?

"Growing up with my disorders, I oftentimes felt as though I was a stranger to the world, peering in but never really participating. I was not invited to take part in those usual childhood activities (sleepovers, sports games, etc), because the other kids were either afraid of me or thought I was odd."

Food was the one thing that Melissa felt she had control over. Her self body image was poor and she became anorexic.  After therapy and much help, she has recovered.

Melissa's childhood was filled with bullying and feeling like an outcast with her peers.


In this brutally honest account of her quest for love, acceptance, and the physical and emotional nourishment she desperately needed, Melissa Binstock takes you on a journey through the complex world of neurological and emotional disorders. You will be mesmerized and inspired as she shares her struggles to refeed her starving mind, body, and soul in her quest to become fully nourished.

Melissa Binstock (Houston, TX) began writing Nourishment just prior to entering the first of several residential treatment facilities for anorexia nervosa when she was fifteen. In 2005, Melissa was awarded the Gold Key Award by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers for excerpts of Nourishment, and in 2006, she was invited to the Grand Rounds at Texas Children's Hospital to read excerpts of Nourishment at an eating disorders conference. In 2009, Melissa was invited to give a lecture about Nourishment at Texas Women's University and was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle. In 2010, she was invited to be the keynote speaker and honoree at the Tourette's Syndrome Foundation annual gala. 
Melissa is currently a junior attending the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She is a psychology major, and her future plans include obtaining a doctorate in clinical psychology with a major focus on Tourette's syndrome. Melissa currently lives at home with her parents and siblings in Houston, Texas, and enjoys horseback riding in her free time. Learn more at www.nourishmentthebook.com.


My Take on the Book

This book is a down and dirty, touching and inspirational account of one young woman's journey through hell and back. As a reader you feel for her and for the journey that must have been paved with such hardship. I was inspired reading this, knowing that there are others out there like her that need similar motivation and encouragement as well as overall love and caring.

For anyone that is currently dealing with a child with a psychological or neurological disorder or a child that has a hard time with friends, is teased or just does not seem to fit in, this book is great and it allows the reader to know that they are not alone and that they too can overcome these obstacles to become more that what others label them as. I highly recommend this book and encourage you to share it with others. You will not be disappointed!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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