Anorexia Sites Draw Criticism From Psychiatrists

msn.com:

Psychiatrists say 1 in 10 girls look at pro-eating disorder Web sites repeatedly, taking inspiration from celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Some Web sites use photographs of excessively thin models and messaging forums to encourage severe weight loss.

Read the whole story: msn.com

Comments

[Rhayden]

There are wide variations in what people consider a healthy looking body. As a healthy male in my 30s and 40s, I trained for marathons and worked out in the gym 4 days a week. I ate only the best foods, and as much as I wanted. At 5 feet, 9 inches tall, I weighed 150 pounds. That's well within the normal range, although a bit lean. I live in an area where most people engage in heavy outdoor recreation, so I fit right in. When I visited my much heavier siblings who live in a different kind of place, most people would comment that I looked too thin. Now that I'm 170 pounds, I'm considered healthy by my siblings, despite the fact that my exercise routine and eating habits are now nothing to be so proud of.

[ImissBush]

women can nvrb 2 thin
or
2rich

as sum1 once sed

[Goliadkin]

Rene Descartes you ain't.

[ImissBush]

it was a quote
genius
reada book

b4 u show ur ignorance

[psssstyeahyou]

gawd i could go for a cheeseburger right now.

[Goliadkin]

That ought to make you barf....

[Malkin72]

I'm sure this is not helpful to the cause, but the abs/body on the woman in that picture look GREAT.

Very nice.

[NilesCrane]

part 2 of my cheap therapy venting

But I have to admit, I did look at anorexia photos and compare myself. I just kind of started back up again, I had gotten up to 170, and im now 165. I dont look at anorexia photos anymore, so thats good, and If I want something I eat it. But I dont eat a meal all day until dinner, I usually just snack on some cheese or a couple chips (its not healthy I know) But I eat huge dinners of steak and beans and potatoes and salads...so Im not starving. I like knowing I can wear anything I try on, people dont look at me in a disgusting way because im not obese, It definately helps my self esteem (which is sad, yes I know, Im not completely dilluded about what im doing). Its not a disease...just like being a drunk isnt a disease, it means Im mentally screwed up. I have a low self esteem, and I dont have much control in my life, Im not dumb, Im not clueless about my issues. I have a terrible personality, so me working on my appearance and being good looking is probably the only reason people put up with me, and the reason I have friends.

[wadenelson1]

Niles --- sounds to me like you're battling a low grade depression. You're not supposed to have to try so hard to have friends, self-control, or self-esteem. Everyone has things about them that are positive, interesting, likable --- yours include being very intelligent, and a great writer. You seem to be painfully aware of, and focused on your shortcomings rather than your strengths. Feeling utterly dependent on your appearance, or weight is no way to go through life. Correct?

The question is do you want to change this, or keep riding this same train forever? If you want to develop a personality that attracts people naturally, I'd suggest getting a copy of "The Greatest Salesman in the World" and following its advice. I did so when I found myself very depressed and friendless at a real low point in my life. It was life changing.

Get your butt in church, too. People there will support you no matter how much you believe religion is hoo-ha. Caring for others is the true basis of Christianity. And in reality, seeing how screwed up the REST of us are will help you see yourself in a more realistic light.

[NilesCrane]

As a male, I can relate, I have had an eating disorder on and off since ive been 16....

I lost 25 pounds one summer when I was 17. I have always been thin my entire life, but the rest of my family has always been overweight. But I noticed I was getting fat, and I had a friend who was my height and weighed 15 pounds less then me, I was hooked on being thinner than him. I was 175 pounds at 6 foot 2. for an entire summer all I did was eat pepperchinis and I did secret situps and workout sessions in my room at 2am. When my extended family came that fall for a wedding, my aunt asked my mother if I had AIDS...
thats when It really hit me. I thought I looked great, I was 150 pounds at 6,2, and I looked like all the european male models, but that hit me hard. I packed on 5 pounds in a month, and I was 155 for a good 5 months after but I was getting harrassed by my family for being too thin. They are all overweight, so me being thin really stuck out. I was never like seriously anorexic because I did eat, I never barfed because it messes up your teeth.

[wadenelson1]

Part II

A little mood brightner (Prozac, Zoloft) might work miracles for you, if you're willing to give 'em a try. It's not a cure in pill form, but it can improve your outlook and help you see a more joyful side to life instead of ruminating on the negatives. If you can get out of the dumps awhile, then you may be able to work on OTHER things that can bring additional joy to your life.

I'd recommend seeing a therapist awhile, but finding a good one is about the hardest job there is.

Get out and do some volunteer work, too. One day you'll realize there's not all that much difference between the people serving, and those being served at the local soup kitchen. Except that those serving have realized that helping others is how they help themselves to feel good and have value - a value that isnt' dependent on their looks or weight.

I guess I just want to assure you that we humans care about each other, even total strangers on the Internet. I personally don't care if you weigh 165 or 255. I'd just like to see you find a little more happiness and satisfaction, and keep making great posts so that others who can identify with your struggles feel not quite so alone, as you have done here today. Good luck, friend. :)

[shamaniceconomist]

It is clear from articles like these that many journalists -- and physicians, for that matter -- do not understand what anorexia is. It is no wonder the public is confused. Anorexia is not a body size, nor is it the same as underweight. It is an abnormal way of eating that is based on a false body image.

Dieting and wanting to look thin like a fashion model is not an eating disorder, yet eating disorder groups include these people to pad their statistics because they don't want to acknowledge how rare eating disorders are.