Bothered by Pro-Ana sites

Okay, so this will be controversial but I think it's something that needs discussion.

A while ago I heard about a controversial trend of some websites and forums that discuss, explain, and recommend good strategies for practicing not just anorexia, but also "mia," and self-harm.

Just yesterday I viewed one such Pro-Ana (pro anorexia) forum and was appalled and disturbed by what goes on there. Out of about 15 or so subforums there was only ONE labeled "recovery," and I don't think that's what most people are there for. One thread was asking where is the best location to cut yourself--with suggestions given--another was asking "what tool do you use?" I did not check out the forums discussing diet/weight loss strategies because I didn't want to feel ill, as this is a topic I find very unpleasant.

I cannot fairly take the view of those with eating disorders, etc, and try to understand why some of them would carelessly share their strategies online for all to see, apparently unwilling to consider that they are endorsing dangerous practices--within the guise of a friendly social circle. This I believe constitutes one of the worst aspects of the Internet. I am aware of freedom of speech and the necessity to preserve it, but I'm sorry, I cannot vouch for this, anymore than I can vouch for websites that support ethnic prejudice. (Yes the two are apples and oranges, but I believe both examples could be considered to push the limits of internet freedom.)

I'm wondering if anyone else agrees with me on this--supporting and sharing advice on how to maintain an eating disorder, esp. considering the well-documented health concerns, is just over the line? (And I am not alone on this, as Facebook and Yahoo, for instance, have taken these sites/forums down countless times.)

I guess most people agree with you on this. But if some people are keen on destroying their bodies... *shrugs*

Yes I feel the same way about pro ana sites and think that they are extremely destructive. Unfortunately bulimia and anorexia are one of the few mental illnesses whose cause is from mainstream media and the desire for perfection, which makes it difficult to treat. Pro ana websites see their illness as a lifestyle choice rather than an illness. It is very sad because left without intervention can lead to death.

The only website I'm on more than this is a pro ana site. If you don't like them, you don't have to visit them.

Oh, that's upsetting.

But difficult as it may be to accept, people can do with their bodies as they please. All you could do is give advice where and when you can.

To a lesser extent self destructive tips and tricks are on this site too. How many topics are there that endorse a negative attitude towards social behaviour and improvement?

Misery loves company.

BlackPuma said:

Oh, that's upsetting.

But difficult as it may be to accept, people can do with their bodies as they please. All you could do is give advice where and when you can.

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I don't know. Sites like pro ana are to me in the same category as "how can I inflict the worst chainsaw wounds to myself without dying" websites.

It's all about self destruction. But you can't cure all people with psychological problems, I guess, so if they want to destroy themselves, I don't care that much. If a person I really care about would have that problem, then that would be a different matter, of course.

Flanscho said:

I don't know. Sites like pro ana are to me in the same category as "how can I inflict the worst chainsaw wounds to myself without dying" websites.

It's all about self destruction. But you can't cure all people with psychological problems, I guess, so if they want to destroy themselves, I don't care that much. If a person I really care about would have that problem, then that would be a different matter, of course.

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Oh absolutely, when it concerns a close loved one it's a different story. Emotional investment should at least give you the right to meddle somewhat- and a lot in severe cases.

But with strangers, you can't really do much more than share you opinion about their self destructive habits. I find it upsetting that such a condition/community exists, but there's little that can be done about it without their own cooperation.

What's wrong with wanting to be thin? I don't starve over a lifestyle, I starve because I want to look good.

Hellhound said:

What's wrong with wanting to be thin? I don't starve over a lifestyle, I starve because I want to look good.

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Pro ana is not about wanting to be thin. It's about promoting a disorder.

Flanscho said:

Pro ana is not about wanting to be thin. It's about promoting a disorder.

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Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with such sites either, because those girls need help.

I was speaking for myself here. I don't consider this a lifestyle, I consider it a curse. You might be malnourshed, yet still view yourself fat and ugly. I hate myself, I hate my looks. Looking like a skeletal figure is the only way I can feel just a little more comfrotable with my body.

I had to leave a hispanic social phobia forum (that lacked rules) because most men had insane standards about how a girl should look to be likeable. They hated us, they bashed us, they treated us like dirt. Do you think that made me feel any better? I am hispanic myself, if my culture has this mentality, what is left for me? How do you expect me not to starve myself when I'm constantly told by men and the media that I'm worthless?

Hellhound said:

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with such sites either, because those girls need help.

I was speaking for myself here. I don't consider this a lifestyle, I consider it a curse. You might be malnourshed, yet still view yourself fat and ugly. I hate myself, I hate my looks. Looking like a skeletal figure is the only way I can feel just a little more comfrotable with my body.

I had to leave a hispanic social phobia forum (that lacked rules) because most men had insane standards about how a girl should look to be likeable. They hated us, they bashed us, they treated us like dirt. Do you think that made me feel any better? I am hispanic myself, if my culture has this mentality, what is left for me? How do you expect me not to starve myself when I'm constantly told my men and the media that I'm worthless?

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Popular opinion doesn't constitute truth, though. People are dumb and extremely prone to follow mindsets. When an opinion grows nation wide, it can turn into an epidemic of judgement.

While it's no doubt hard not-to believe/appease their taunts, insults and expectations - you've got to learn for yourself that you're not, in fact, without worth. Ever. The size of your waist doesn't dictate whether you're a good person or not.

It's not who you are, or what you look like - but what you do- and don't do. That dictates your worth.

Hellhound said:

How do you expect me not to starve myself when I'm constantly told my men and the media that I'm worthless?

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I'm not really sure you should call them 'your men'. Just because I'm (mostly) caucasian doesn't mean I think of all the other pale-skins as 'my people'. They most definitely are not.

The media? Everyone's enemy, honestly. They profit from making as many people as they can feel bad about themselves, because that has use as a strong motivator for people to buy products. They've gotten increasingly skilled at targetting men as well as women, and I've no doubt this trend will continue in the future.

NathanielWingatePeaslee said:

I'm not really sure you should call them 'your men'. Just because I'm (mostly) caucasian doesn't mean I think of all the other pale-skins as 'my people'. They most definitely are not.

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I think she meant "by" men and not "my" men.

Ithior said:

I think she meant "by" men and not "my" men.

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Possibly so, though she was talking about men in her culture.

meow

Well I don't really have a problem with people who want to be skinny, but being skinny isn't always the same thing as having a disorder or constantly starving yourself. What bothers me most about some of the pro-ana sites I have seen is how some of them shame women who are not insanely thin. That 'skinny gossip' website it absolutely maddening, all they do is criticize people who aren't underweight. I guess I don't have as much of a problem with the ones who simply promote eating disorder behaviors without fat shaming, but these sites can still be disturbing. No, it's not healthy, but people still can do whatever they want with their bodies. I can't say I approve promoting the behavior and encouraging others to do it since eating disorders are so painful to struggle with. Besides, I really try not to look at these kinds of things anyways because they usually make me feel fat...

Hellhound said:

What's wrong with wanting to be thin? I don't starve over a lifestyle, I starve because I want to look good.

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Who is to say that thin is attractive? Some cultures believe the opposite.
Who sets the standards of what is considered to be attractive and what is not. That is the entire premise of what the disorder is about.

Hellhound said:

What's wrong with wanting to be thin? I don't starve over a lifestyle, I starve because I want to look good.

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Are you actually doing this?

The girls on the site I go to are nicer and more supportive than most the people I've interacted with on social anxiety sites. Everybody has issues that are often self destructive.

Ithior said:

I think she meant "by" men and not "my" men.

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Oops... my bad.

MikeyC said:

Are you actually doing this?

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I'd say it's more of a very strict diet than a disorder, because I have a "no diet" day to binge on junk.