Lardizabal, Genevieve: Starved Heart

Poetry Box, paperback

Publication Date: March 15, 2023

Publisher Marketing: A Starved Heart is a narrative poetry book that travels through the mind and experiences of a young girl suffering from anorexia nervosa, purge disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. She stayed in treatment for three years, and found she had a prominent emotion for each stay, and it affected the way she viewed recovery. The first year she was stricken with fear and in turn, held onto her disorder for a false sense of safety. The second-year rage had overtaken her, so much so that she viewed support as roadblocks. But in the third year, she fell deep into depression. Surprisingly, depression is what moved her towards recovery. Because of her pain and constant sadness, she realized the reason for her eating disorder in the first place was her attempt to find happiness, acceptance, control, and safety. However, no matter how much weight she lost, she didn’t find what she was looking for. Now in recovery, she hopes this book can educate those who don’t understand mental illness, and act as a hand stretched out for those who are struggling.