Pro Eating Disorder Websites
A Stanford University study has found that 4 out of 10 teenagers with eating disorders visit pro-eating disorder websites.
They found that 40 percent of teens with an eating disorder had visited a pro-eating disorder web site, and about one-quarter said they had visited the sites frequently.Only 34 percent of teens said they had visited web sites that discuss how to overcome eating disorders.
I find the websites disturbing. The girls that fill the discussion groups talk about Ana (anorexia) and Mia (bulimia) as if they are real people. The eating disorder takes on a persona - almost like a controlling friend. However this "friend" wants to steal, kill, and destroy.
Teenagers who visited sites that encouraged eating disorders tended to spend less time on schoolwork, and more time in the hospital than teens who didn't visit the sites.
The Internet is like most other mediums - it can be used for good or for ill. However the ease with which information can be obtained on the Internet is what sets it apart. The issue here are those who are vulnerable, those who are on the edge. The moment they find people that will justify their actions they will begin the slide down into a habit-forming psychological disorder that will overtake their lives.
Play with fire, and you might just get burnt. There are people out there who almost celebrate their ED imprisonment. With an astonishing non-chalance they describe their daily obsessions with binges and purges, with starvation and deprivation.
It's hard to be non-chalant when a nurse is trying to stick a needle into your dehydrated withered arms - as you scream out in pain when the potassium saline solution burns it's way up your shrunken veins.
It's hard to be whimsical about your ED when you're taped into a heart monitor because the doctors fear your heart might stop.
It's hard to be happy when your every living breathing thought is riddled with paranoia and obsession.
It's hard to see how anything could be "pro" eating disorder.
9 Comments(Now closed for this article)
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I have looked at pro-eating disorder websites. They are hard to find, I think, because so many of them have been shut down. The ones that I have seen contain content hardly anything different than your run of the mill fashion magazine. In fact, they probably do a better service than the fashion mags. At least on these sites, the visitors and pro-ana members have a voice, and have a place to share their angst. I think it is wrong to censor these sites. Take a look at one, and you wont be as shocked as you think.
ReplyI disagree. These pro-eating disorder websites may offere qa completely different opinion and since we are a country based on opinions and the freedom t express them the consideration of letting these sites exist is often the case. However, it encourages something damaging and even hurtful to the people who visit them, especially adoloscence. There has been studies done that the people who visit these sites do poorly in school, spend more time in hospitals because of their disorder, and make it harder for them to recover because of the reinforcement it provides. One might ask if this is the same circumstance as the tobacco industries promoting cigarettes and other tobacco products to young adults. In any case, they both promote something hazardous and even lethal to a certain group of people. Just why we feel the need to encourage our fellow Americans in these horrible habits, I'm sure I don't know.
ReplyI have to disagree. I have been to many "pro" sites and dealing with eating disorders I think I know what I am talking about. Yes, I do have one, and yes I have used pro sites for tips. But have you been to one? Have you seen the tips they give out? They tell you what foods to eat that are high in nutrients, they tell you ways to stay healthy. People are going to have eating disorders no matter what. Isn't it better to let them know how to stay as healthy as possible durring it. Your quote, "Teenagers who visited sites that encouraged eating disorders tended to spend less time on schoolwork, and more time in the hospital than teens who didn't visit the sites." says a lot about what you know. Teenagers don't chose to have these disorders. They are mental disorders, just like depression. Of course they will end up in the hospital but it was due to their eating disorder not the sites. These site's protect them from the uneducated like yourself. They talk about the eating disorders as they are people becuase that is what this disease does. It creates a safety net between that person and the rest of the world. You can not shut down the sites, so why not instead put up site promoting healthy eating habits and healthy ways to lose weight, maybe then we can stop this terrible disease.
ReplyDana, the quoted material above is from a Stanford Uni study - not my comments. "Uneducated people like myself". Do you think the paragraphs I wrote about being in hospital were something I read in a book - or just made up?
As I held my wife's hand as she was nearly dying from a life of bulimia -- I wasn't sitting there pontificating to her about the wonders of pro-eating disorder websites.
The time that she collapsed and broke a rib - I didn't say to her "gosh, you need to get some tips from a pro-ed web site".
I could go on with many other accounts - but perhaps I'm just not educated enough for you.
ReplyI just wanted to comment to Dana. I don't think that you are looking at this information with an open mind. You state that you have an eating disorder, and you state that these websites are good and they educate you how to eat healthy. That is such bull. If you are suffering from an eating disorder as you state you a clinging to denial and you are advocating pro-ana sites because they reinforce your destructive behavior. I'm working on a psch. degree and I have done considerable research on this subject. Honestly, looking at as many pro-ana sites as I have makes me sick. These sites tell young girls that may or may not be ticking time bombs how to be sickly thin. That is a bunch of crap saying they teach you how to be healthy. Instead it teaches you how to avoid eating, ways to get around prying parents, affective ways to purge after a binge, and helpful information regarding what types of food take more energy to digest then are in that food.
ReplyEating disorders are difficult diseases. They are difficult to treat and overcome. I agree that people have the right to say what ever they want, but they should not give young impressionable girls maps on how to kill themselves.
People have the right to say what they want.However,telling people it's ok to share ideas and talk about "healthy eating" when really it's just anorexics and bulimics telling each other what they're doing is ok.I have had an eating disorder for 8 years.I've been in clinics and hospitolized,and all I want everyday is to get better.I'm severly underweight,my heart is bad,my liver is bad,my bones are bad,my life is bad,and I'm only 19.I keep going to these sights and letting myself believe if only for a few seconds,it's ok to be so sick and mentally ill.Pro anorexia sites are poisen and should be shut down.Drugs are illegal,and drug dealers are poisen,they spread the drugs to victims and sick people.These pro sites are like the drugs dealers,they are poisen and all they do is promote poisen,sickness,and death.Anyone who hides behind that "you have the right to do what you want crap" is seriously sick and I hope they want to get better.Because some of us want to live to old age.Good luck to all of you girls and guys out there battling this viscious addiction.
ReplyI think pro ana sites can help girls out that fight a disorder,i would know because i have had an eating disorder for 3 years now. When i first realized the websites i didn't feel so alone. I don't understand why people make such a big deal about people who have eating disorders, i think they should focus there energy on something postive, and if they want to focus there energy on the victims then try to help them by understanding why they do it not judge them and make fun of them. Another thing i think is b/s is the way people are shutting down these sites, what about porn sites or sites that sell illegal substances shouldn't they be shutting those down instead?
ReplyHi i am a new member to all this and i have not been diagnosed with an eatting disorder but i have been struggling with one for 8 years off and on but now i am pro bulimic and i like the way it makes me loose weight but i want to loose more and my family does not know about this so i have no one to talk to and my best friend really doesn't understand. Can anyone give me the name of a pro website please.
ReplyThanks for everything your friend Forbidden Angel
Struggling? Like the way it works? Sounds like a complete contradiction. Bulimia is for those who are too lazy to exercise and eat properly.
Reply