230 pg, paper, ’08

In this honest, first-hand account, a mother and daughter tell both sides of an intense eating disorder struggle and reveal the difficult journey they traveled, a journey which profoundly impacted them, their family, and their relationship.

Mom saw a popular, happy teen, poised to revel in her high school years; her daughter saw a fat, ugly loser, and vowed to take action. One researched finding the best care; the other researched new and clever ways to hide her compulsion. Such is the distorted reality in this raw, riveting true account of a teen caught in the grips of an eating disorder and the mother who struggled to help her break free.

Through a compelling, dual narrative, Lorri and Taryn Benson take turns chronicling their perceptions of events once Taryn was caught in the middle of a purge. With unflinching frankness, they reveal the deceit, the guilt, the manipulation, and the shame that are inherent in this disease, unveiling the true picture of what happens to the family dynamic once an eating disorder takes hold. Much more than a cautionary tale, Distorted illustrates the psychological factors underlying the beginning and spread of the disease, the successful and unsuccessful therapies, and the consequences the disease had on their family.

Triumphantly, the two women share what was ultimately needed to bring the truth to light, providing guidance for anyone struggling with or affected by an eating disorder. Their stories, woven together as one powerful beacon of hope, will offer insight and comfort to families, spouses, and loved ones who feel helpless and alone.

CONTENTS:

Acknowledgements
Prologue

1 – Once Upon a Time
2 – A Natural Disaster
3 – False Hopes
4 – Off With the Mask
5 – Blind Exposure
6 – Full Immersion
7 – A World Apart
8 – Family Matters
9 – True Lies
10 – The Belly of the Beast
11 – God Grant Me the Serenity
12 – A Line in the Sand
13 – Amazing Grace
14 – The Teacup
15 – The First Light

Epilogue – Part 1: Off to Wherever
Epilogue – Part 2: I Hope Your Dreams Come True

Resources

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Lorri Antosz Benson is a two-time Emmy-award winningformer talk-show producer and syndicated columnist. She is a family advocate who speaks on issues surrounding disordered eating and body image Taryn Benson, now in active recovery, is a college student studying nursing.

REVIEWS:

“Distorted is a powerful, penetrating look inside the world of disturbed eating and its far-reaching effects on the family. This jointly-crafted account provides multiple windows into the experience of disordered eating, highlighting both the tragic and triumphant dimensions of attempted recovery.”