Purge

Purge is a memoir chronicling Nicole Johns' battle with eating disorders during her college years. The narrative follows her experiences with EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) and her time in treatment facilities. Johns details the realities of living with an eating disorder, including the physical toll, mental struggles, and impact on relationships. Her account provides specifics about treatment protocols and the healthcare system's approach to eating disorders. The book documents the author's path through therapy, setbacks, and attempts at recovery. The narrative structure moves between her present experiences in treatment and memories of how her disorder developed. This memoir contributes to discussions about eating disorders beyond the commonly known diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia. Through Johns' personal story, the book examines broader themes of identity, control, and society's complex relationship with food and body image.

Readers describe Purge as a raw, unflinching account of eating disorders that avoids glamorizing the illness. Many reviewers note the book's detailed portrayal of treatment center experiences and recovery challenges. Readers appreciated: - Honest depiction of relapse cycles - Technical medical details and terminology - Clear writing style without self-pity - Practical insights for families supporting ED patients Common criticisms: - Repetitive descriptions of behaviors - Limited exploration of underlying causes - Some sections feel clinical rather than emotional - Abrupt ending that leaves questions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) "She captures the tedium and frustration of recovery without sugar-coating it," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader states: "The medical accuracy helps demystify treatment, but I wanted more about her personal journey."

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📖 Nicole Johns wrote "Purge" as a raw and unflinching memoir of her experience with EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), a diagnosis that affects up to 70% of all eating disorder patients 🏥 The author spent three months in an inpatient treatment facility at age 23, which serves as a central focus of the narrative 🗣️ Johns deliberately chose not to include specific weights, measurements, or detailed behaviors in the book to avoid triggering other eating disorder sufferers 🎓 The memoir emerged from Johns' graduate school thesis at the University of Minnesota, where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing 💡 The term EDNOS (now renamed OSFED - Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) was often considered a "catch-all" diagnosis, despite being the most common eating disorder diagnosis at the time the book was published