The Truth About Online Anorexia – Thurs 9 April 9PM ITV1
Fearne Cotton examines the ongoing trend for super-slim women and immerses herself in the worrying world of ‘pro-ana’ websites who encourage anorexia and starvation as a life choice.
As Fearne explores the diet and exercise regime of a ‘pro-ana’, she’ll try some of the extreme regimes that they endorse and meet other girls who’ve embraced the same lifestyle. She will explore the seductive nature of these ‘support’ groups, examine the world of competitive dieting, and look at relationships that ordinary women have with each other when it comes to diet and body image.
Fearne Cotton says: “It’s been a surreal journey making this show and I have learnt a lot. I hope it shows girls and women out there that they can get help if they need it.
“Hopefully the show demonstrates how serious eating disorders can be and how more help is needed out there. I also really want people to see how damaging and terrifying pro anorexic websites are. I was so shocked and I’m sure most will be too.”
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April 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Lets hope they report it seriously and it does not come across in a humerous way.
April 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’m really lukin forward to watchin this as its gna help me with a case study im working on cant wait ill deffo type bck my response about the show when iv watched it
April 8th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I dont see why the ISP’s cant just block access these sites. Dont go on about anonymous proxy servers because chances are that if someones stupid enough to starve themselves then they wont know how to use an anonymous proxy.
Total stupidity.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Alan – Saying people are ’stupid’ because they have an eating disorder is infact showing you up to be the uneducated one. I have had an eating disorder since I was 8 years old and yet am well educated and obviously a lot more understanding than yourself. An eating disorder is a mental illness. Maybe you should think before you ’speak’. What a closed-minded fool.
On a better note, I am looking forward to the show as it may help others to understand the kind of things people go through and make people realise it’s not a conscious choice to have abnormal eating patterns just because a person is desperate to be thin. There is a lot more behind it.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I completely agree with Taiy.
People who suffer from eating disorders aren’t stupid; they can affect anyone. Even nurses, doctors, psychiatrists have suffered from them. How can you call someone stupid for suffering from a mental illness which causes so much pain while they have virtually no control over it?
The world of these pro-ana sites is scaring and addictive. It almost becomes a comfort. Sometimes you get people going on there who want to become anorexic, or even catch(!) an eating disorder. But for the girls who truly do suffer the illnesses, it’s a place to get comfort and support from others who are in the same situation.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
OH MY GOD.
Having an eating disorder isn’t a CHOICE!!!
And people use these sites for support! It’s not something people use to chat and laugh about how amazing purging is!!
And all Fearne is going to do is show posts from wannabes, asking for tips. You’ll actually find that most sites have strict rules about posts, such as no tips etc.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I think it is saying something about the Mental Health services of this country that so many people with eating disorders find their only or best support online.
Of course people with eating disorders come together, just like with any other mental illness of health condition. And yes, maybe to people who are not suffering with EDs the websites are *terrifying* but that is why EDs are mental illnesses. If they were *normal* they would not be classified as illnesses.
If people understood, if people weren’t judgemental and if people didn’t make *stupid* comments like *Alan* they wouldn’t be so necessary.
From…a chronic hardcore bulimic who has no doubt she has far more qualifications and intelligence than *Alan*.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I have been suffering from Anorexia Nervosa for over five years. I have found one single site that has helped me cope with the daily stress of dealing with an agonizing eating disorder and have been granted the ability to openly discuss the difficulties that arise from such. By no means do I go looking for “diet tricks” or anything of the sort, though there are ignorant children who do for reasons such as looking for spring break and what not. I find this highly ignorant and hurtful to those who don’t have a choice when it comes to this disorder.
Not all sites regarding Anorexia promote the disease as a ‘lifestyle’, some offer support and a safe community to discuss treatment options, physical side-effects and psychiatric diagnoses. It is a safe haven for some, such as myself and should be treated with respect.
Cheers.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I am a member of a pro ana community.
We don’t encourage each other to starve.
We don’t encourage any negative behaviours or habits.
We merely help cheer each other up when we have had stressful days.
We all understand eachother as we all share a disordered way of thinking.
We don’t go on these sites to develop eating disorders. We already have them.
I hope Fearne realizes that she is just adding fuel to the fire and that there will be a huge increase in girls joining these communities who do not have eating disorders, but who think it is fashionable and want us to give them tips on how to lose weight. These people are unwelcome.
Thanks a lot Fearne.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
i am 15 years old I must be fearnes biggest fan. i just find her so inpsirational and i would do anything to meet her. i sound like a wierdo but im not, i just find fearne so amazing, theres a collage of her on my wardrobe, all my screensavers and whenever shes on the radio im there listening.
this could change me life 
i really hope it does 
However, i suffer from anorexia and bulumia and as soon as i heard of fearne doing this show i new it was something i needed to watch. And i just want to say thankyou so much because it has helped me so badly. i thought there was no end to my misery and to see someone protesting about this stuff and especially someone who i completely admire has really changed my way of thinking and now i know i can do this, it has only been a couple of days but i just feel so good about myself.
It has been so inspirational and i am so thankful.
Thankyou so much fearne
April 9th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I am shocked to have watched this program and seen and heard the comments fearne is making. I have suffered eating disorders for 3-4 years now and due to a fear of other people view on this i have been unable to seek help, whether it be professional or just through friends. I dont think people realis the scale of the problem – its huge. Todays society forces young people into finding a way to make themselves feel better and feel in control. The reasons are vast. I myself was shocked to see these sites in operation but for some people thy provide a way of communicating with other like minded people. I do not agree with them but i do see why they exist. I do not condone users of them but do suggst that there are other ways to communivate their feelings. As a sufferer i suggest that it is cruel and incorrect to say that our daily activitie and needs are stupid. It is time that people became aware of eating disorders on an empathetic scale. I think i can comment for all sufferers when i say that it is empathy w require not sympathy. Understand us, we are not wierd, we are people who have been forced in to a way of life that we struggle to get out of. For those who use these websites, understand their position, do not criticise. You will never understand unless it has affected you personally.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
oh and emma, it may relight the fire and all that.. but it can also change peoples life. I honestly have felt the best i have felt in years.
2 of what should of been the best years of my life i have ruined, i truly hated my life, i have done everything. i nearly died from an overdose.
But dont critise the show being i am so thankful for it.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
nobody goes on a proanorexia website and gets an eating disorder if they do then they are stupid and are going there for tips on how to lose weight and they are banned asking for tips is not allowed and no one will give you tips if you come on and ask for them
fearne cotton is a stupid ugly loser that needs to get a life
April 9th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
thank you for helping expose some of the truths behind this disease. my wfe was a university house mistress with a degree in socioligy and history,high IQ,she was beautifull, a wonderfull wife and a wonderfull mother, but after a long battle with anorexia died at 0720 0n april 13th 2005,after 4wks on life support,her proper weight should have been an average 8st,she died weighing two and a half stone.
please please do not let this be a one off exposure. thank you Fearne and thankyou ITV. RP.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Fearne cotton is like the most hated person by anorexias according to them
April 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
What was the website which they said to talk to if you have problems?
the confidential site?
April 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
What was the website which they said to talk to if you have problems?
the confidential site? please,
April 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Beat… google it..
B-eat i think it is though
xx
April 9th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I just finished watching this show
It’s really opened my eyes
I was going to go on a diet but when I realized what could happen I knew I would not afterall.
I also couldn’t believe that the 10 year olds from the school knew about it.
I also think Fearne is really cool and pretty
X x x
April 9th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
(to Gary Watson ) omg!!!
Poor her
April 9th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Ok where does Fearne get off?It was supposed to be the “TRUTH” not someones opinion. you wouldn’t judge someone for being gay..it’s not their choice, so why judge and shake your head about eating disorders, people hardly choose to put themselves through that! I really didn’t like the documentary.
Also it has shown people who just want to lose weight normally, a seemingly “quick” way to lose it and there all over the sites now…causing more anorexia tool!
April 9th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Although this was a very interesting documentry i feel that
it has now informed more people about these websites and how you can go on them so more people will use these websites as a way to loose weight.
But it was an interesting programme for those who have no concern
on loosing weight
April 9th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
to Megan. lets not knock the style or presentation of this programme, but rather look at the core issue. anorexia is a mental illness as anybody who has first hand knowledge will or should know.
this programme looked at one aspect of it, the presenter was as much in the dark as are most people, including a lot who suffer from it, and if this programme saves one life or one person (and their family) from a life of suffering, then it was worth it.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
This is bull!
Also Gary, it’s anorexiCs not anorexiAs. And brush up on your grammar.
Naomi, you are coming across as a complete moron.
Chelsea, relight the fire?
Alan, you seem very ignorant.
This “documentary” was extremely bias and ridiculous and so I am being playing devils advocate to a degree. I do not have an eating disorder and I do not approve of certain pro ana websites such as fadingobsession but this documentary is completely judgmental towards anorexia sufferers that frequent these sites. It is very obvious that the interviewees were told to answer the questions the way the BBC wanted. Documentaries should be FACTUAL and FAIR. Therefore this is not a documentary in my mind.
April 9th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
This programme or so called ‘documentary’ has to be one of, if not THE WORST programme i have ever watched about anorexia nervosa. I thought Fearne Cotton did not much other than make herself look like a complete twat on national television.
Infact, i am so outraged by the programme i can’t actually form proper sentences right now!!
April 10th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Are you serious??? Ya know…when you say the ‘truth’ about anorexia sites people would assume that you mean the truth, the actual, real truth….but is that what Fearn gave us? No, of course not. First of all, we do NOT compete, those sites are a place for anorexics to get SUPPORT, to talk to someone. Do you know how many people these sites have saved from suicide?!? Do you understand how alone someone with anorexia feels? Anorexia isolates a person, they become more and more distant from their friends…and obviously they cant talk to anyone about this. Which leads them to the site.
Okay, second of all, you can’t develop an eating disorder from a pro ana site. It is a MENTAL ILLNESS, you can’t jsut decide “oh I’m going to have a mental illness today and not eat!” No. That doesn’t happen. Now, if a person who had the mindset of an anorexic person they can be triggered by a site, but if that’s their mindset they were going to develop it anyway!
…next time get your facts straight fearn, mkay?
April 10th, 2009 at 2:58 am
Rainie8,
Although some people have a narrow minded and distorted view on eating disorders, if you were to speak to your doctor, they would more than likely understand. I’ve had an eating disorder for 11 years and am currently going through treatment. It is definitely something you should get help with and not be ashamed of.
Since attending an outpatients clinic, I have accepted my illness and now find it helpful to be open about my problem. Even if people don’t understand, you’re not hiding it anymore and certainly feel a lot more at ease with yourself. However, you don’t HAVE to tell anyone, but I would urge you to go to your GP. :]
I missed the first 20 minutes of the programme, but it hasn’t changed my view on pro ana sites much. I have never been on one until tonight (just to see it all for myself although I know this could be dangerous for myself) and don’t agree with them as such, but understand the need for them. This country’s mental health system takes far too long to help people with mental illness, I think that is what we should be aiming to change, not getting rid of peoples only form or support.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Ive struggled with an eating disorder for years now and am well aware that I have a mental problem. Trust me, I know my eating habits are not normal. Do you think these girls choose to be this way? No. So don’t assume that, and that we can ‘just eat’ because you cant say that to someone who detests and is literally deathly afraid of gaining weight. I also dont think that the websites are harmful. I myself post in communities and look at is as therapy, talking to people who understand my point of view. We all fully support recovery, but there are those of us who cant handle that yet. Maybe one day. And in the mean time we need people to talk to who feel the same. Its what keeps most of us sane.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Hi,
I watched the show yesterday and I must say it gave alot of insight to the world of anorexia and Fearne showed that anorexia is just not the desire to be thin, it is a mental illness. I am 15 and have been suffering for 3 years, and now in recovery, I never actually went on the pro-ana sites, but I did look up my weight and BMI religiously. On one of the sites that Fearne went on in the show, there is now a comment and a hyperlink for girls to watch it and make comments. Which in one way is bad because it can make the worst sufferers make beginners believe that what Fearne was saying is wrong. But in a good way it may make girls want to change their lives and get some help. I got to the stage were I needed to be hospitalised and have only just got out of it, and am now returning to the real world.
I think the show finally was a excellent way of helping parents recognise the illness, and helping sufferers think twice about getting help!
Congrats!
April 10th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I do not understand what the programme makers hoped to achieve in this show – I can only conclude that it is a purely voyeuristic exercise, as there is no other way to explain mixing experimentation with extreme diets and interviews with a mother who has lost her daughter to anorexia.
Whilst I fully agree that the pro-ana culture needs to exposed and its problems addressed, I think that this should involve policy makers, internet watchdogs, and professional bodies, rather than the general public. The programme will raise awareness of these sites and communities amongst people who are vulnerable enough to become sucked into them themselves. By showing this programme, you will only increase the numbers of people being harmed by these sites.
And as for giving the addresses of the pro-ana sites… What were they thinking!?! It’s akin to a documentary about child pornography that tells you where to find the very worst of it – both are ruthlessly exploiting vulnerable people.
April 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I was really apprehensive about watching the show last night, and with good reason to be
I have suffered from an eating disorder for about 5 years now and joined a support site about 6 months ago
And that’s exactly what it is, a SUPPORT site!
There are absolutely no tips or tricks, they are completely banned! and the site is filled with supporting people all in the same boat as each other
I know first hand how much it helps everyone and it has saved lives!
I would feel so lost and alone without it, I can relate to everyone on there and we get through each day with each others help. I’ve even attempted recovery since being there!
April 10th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I hope Fearne Cotton realises what she has done getting involved with this programme. These sort of programs encourage & direct girls to these websites, I know from experience when I was younger that watching ‘documentaries’ such as these only encouraged me and opened my eyes more to things I could do. It is as bad as those ‘Size Zero’ documentaries. Girls that want to be thin bad enough will try anything. They don’t listen to the dangers and consequences, they are only going to copy the crash diets and exercises routines that they show on the television. As ebs said, giving the addresses of these pro-ana sites – what were they thinking indeed. Girls who don’t suffer from anorexia or bulimia are going to be heading to these websites in their masses – not for support or help, but for tips to lose weight quickly. Another stupid documentary that adds fuel to the fire.
April 10th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I am a doctor and have recovered after suffering from anorexia for ten years. I was quite frankly disgusted by what I saw on The Truth about Online Anorexia last night. I am in agreement with Ebs: showing ‘Thinspiration’ pictures and web addresses is akin to making a documentary about child pornography and showing a child being raped. Too often, people with anorexia are portrayed as curiosities: this programme encouraged voyeurism, which is clearly wrong. It also gave the impression that anorexia is all about wanting to be thin, which it most definitely is not: there are all sorts of emotional and psychological factors at play. The Truth About Online Anorexia will have excited people’s interest and they will surf the net looking for these sites. Susceptible women will all too easily be sucked into this subculture. This programme is going to be responsible for making people ill. It is also going to seriously trigger people who have anorexia into wanting to be thinner because weights were quoted with which they will compare themselves and they will also have seen some of the worst ‘thinspiration’ there is close up. These sites may be considered a support network, but what are they supporting? An illness which can propel people all too quickly towards death – as shown in Sofie’s case. Yes, it is important to raise awareness of this problem, but it should be done among policy-makers, internet services and watchdogs – not the general public. It is very wrong to publicise this issue at a time when there is such inadequate and archaic treatment available here in the UK: I had to go to America for treatment. How much better would it have been for Fearne to spend 95% of her time talking to the one girl who had recovered and the recovery websites instead of 5%? That would have sent out a positive message. I will be writing to ITV to complain and I would encourage others to do the same.
April 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
To john
Piss off
I’m not a moron
I think you are!!
April 10th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
There are 2 types of pro-ana sites.
1) Support sites, like the defenders on this page are referring to.
2) Actual pro-anorexia, with the tips and tricks.
Fearne was exposing the second type.
At least it was better than the crap that Louise Redknapp does with these programs. She always seems to be a hypocrite, and ends up looking like she wants an eating disorder.
April 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for the clarification, Amii.
However, the point remains, the programme exposed these sites to entirely the wrong audience – one full of people who may be tempted or triggered by their content, rather than watchdogs and policy makers who could actually do something about removing them.
I wholeheartedly agree with Dr McConville, that the removal of these sites should take place alongside better provision of real care and treatment for sufferers. Sufferers find these sites “helpful” because they feel supported by people who understand how it feels to be so trapped in their illness that they have given up hope of recovery and chosen to accept this as a lifestyle choice.
We need to spread a message of hope for recovery as an alternative to being trapped in this terrible illness. Freedom is possible. I recovered. I know others who have. Don’t settle for less.
April 11th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Fearne has done her research of course…and the truly ‘bad’ photos she is commenting are actually airbrushed, as the models aren’t actually that thin…
April 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Amii, I feel exactly the same about Louise Redknapp… she keeps doing these programmes and now she is doing one about getting thin after pregnancy… I’m sure she just does these shows to lose weight herself…
Dr McConville is exactly right there. These programs are encouraging voyeurism, these programs themselves are giving out ‘hints, tips & tricks’ showing crash diets – that do encourage weight loss – any girl suffering is going to try all she can to shift the pounds. If they saw Fearne Cotton lose a couple of pounds doing a crash diet, they will do it. It is ridiculous, these ‘documentaries’ glossify this disorder and almost encourage it. I suffer from disordered eating myself, and I personally know from when I was younger I used to take tips and tricks from these ’skinny’ programmes. Size zero programs, anorexia programs. I know girls are going to compare their weights to the weights exposed on this documentary, as Dr McConville said – and their own weight just won’t be good enough. They won’t have enough bones, like the pictures shown there.
It is awful that these ‘documentaries’ can be shown & almost shows that neither ITV or Fearne have done any sort of research to the outcome of it.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I echo all that Dr Sharon McConville states, unfortunately I was unable to see the programme, but it sounds as though it looked at such a minute aspect of the illness. Our daughter was not able to cnquer her illness although she did try. She did I think use some of the pro-anna sites but I believe they were for support, especially when she was trying to overcomes her illness.
She was a bright, caring and intelligent young woman, she had a 1st class honours degree, and had just been accepted to embark on a fully funded masters course in conservation and plant taxonomy.
She did recover enough, we thought, to embark on her dream journey to South America, where she worked as a volunteer on the Galapagos Islands, and travelled in Ecuador and Peru. It was THE GOAL which encouraged her to eat, but not enough sadly to overcome a complex mental illness. Better treatment and understanding of the medical profession may have brought about a different result.
She would have been 24 on the day of the programme, sadly she lost her fight in Lima on 2nd July 2007. while travelling from Arequipa to Buenos Aires.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I do not think that this documentary was done in a very good way. I know a few people who are suffering from eating disorders who found this very triggering. In my oppinion they showed too many pictures and tips on starving. This could have been done a lot more tastefully.
April 11th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I have just watched this, and am so angry at its empty-headed and naive approach. The footage of Fearne Cotton posing for a magazine cover while ‘trying out’ a thinspiration book just seems incredibly cruel. This was a hugely triggering documentary. She and everybody else involved in making it should be ashamed of themselves. I’ll be writing to ITV to complain as I am just so incensed!!
April 11th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Having read all your comments, I decided to look up pro ana websites – I couldn’t understand how Fearne was claiming these websites showed tips and tricks if they were actually banned…. Low and behold, the first few websites that came up on google did EXACTLY THAT!! How to recognise times when you may get hungry, how to limit your calorie intake and how to drink more water to stave off hunger…etc etc. Yes, they may have advice on making sure you take multivitamins to survive and avoid dehydration, but, in essence, they are still showing you how to survive on as few calories as possible! Yes, eating disorders are an illness, but the whole point that these pro-ana websites glorify them is spot on! Young impressionable girls will see this friendly online community and get a sense of belonging. Being surrounded by other like-minded people who are the only ones who seem to understand you, will make sufferers believe what they are doing to themselves is OK and not a problem. So, they will simply stop young sufferers getting help sooner. I have eating disorders in my family and know how hard it is to accept you have a problem and get help from your friends and family – I truly believe these websites will encourage youngsters to keep it to themselves and their ‘pro ana friends’.
April 12th, 2009 at 12:33 am
it seemed almost as if she was making fun with her comments on thinspiration collages.
surely that can only have negative effects, on both anorexia sufferers and the program’s credibility.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Ive sufferd from anorexia for five years now, and after my mums friend informed me about this new program starting i was dubious but interested to watch it. I have to say out of all the eating diorder documentories ive seen(which is a lot) this is the worse ive watched. I belong to a so called proana community,one of the largest(not shown on this program) which exists on the internet.We have VERY strict rules which say,there is to be NO encouraging of weight loss in any way, and this is common of many “proana” sites. What we actually do is, support each other through bad times, encourage each other to go to our therapy,gp,doctors etc aptmnts when we are feeling to down to go. If someone is worried about a health problem related to their eating disorder,no doubt someone else has had that same or similar problem,and so we can share our experiences,and just act like an online shoulder to dry on,or share our excitment if recovery starts to go well. I am not saying that what fearne showed doesnt happen,because no doubt it does, and if ever on “my” community a girl asked for a tip on how to improve her eating disorder,or develop one,she/he would be banned, but what fearne showed isnt how all proana sites are, and i wish she had showed both sides of the coin. Her diets were totally against the point,and made eating disorders seem like silly strict diets.They are not.They are serious mental illnesses,and i do not think Fearne managed to show how serious the illness is. Its not a diet, especially when your sectioned,on bed rest with a feeding tube being told you very nearly died and stil could. That isnt a diet.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I know this documentary came out a week or so ago now, I have watched it and I felt that I had to respond to this. I want to point out I have never been anorexic, nor do I want to be, I’ve done a lot of research into anorexia and “pro-ana” The website Fearne looked at which was Livejournal, is a support website, all you have to do is read the rules to see that. I think Fearne went about this documentary in a very bad way, and has undoubtedly caused problems for the girls and guys that use these sites. I will admit I knew about livejournal a long time ago, as I stumbled across it while doing research for a paper. There are far worse sites than livejournal out there, and as mentioned in a previous post, most of the posts she read out are likely to be from “wannarexics”
Yes the “diets” Fearne tried are dangerous mainly because she probably eats 3 meals a day! These diets are designed so that people suffering from anorexia can still eat rather than fast (which is far more dangerous), but in a manner that feels safe to them (calorie controlled etc)
I hope Fearne realises the damage she has caused, as many of these communities are a “safe haven” where people suffering from anorexia can discuss how they feel among people that know exactly what they are going through because people who are not affected by this disorder do not understand.
I will admitt, I have looked at this site since the airing of the documentary to find that this place of refuge has become filled with “internet trolls” who are upsetting many of the people who use this site by posting nasty comments and being generally unhelpful to people who are genuinely suffering.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Reply to Taiy,
Thanks for reading and replying to my comment. I am currently starting to seek treatment and it has been a long difficult road. But, i urge others to do the same.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
anorexia is a disease that no body can prevent or help catching and while some websites can make it worse, some can help. it can kill people, but as some people have already said you are not allowed to post tip on the websites. you can also get help like confidentual telephone numbers to ring of webssites so you aren’t alone.
sorry about your wife Gary.
May 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
how dare they call it a lifestyle choice. It’s a mental illness and those who do not suffer from it, will never understand what it’s like. Pro-ana sites are the only place where i can be my self and let everything out. I dont bare to think where i will be if there was no sites like that. It’s the one place where i can get support, we arent doing anything wrong to you, can’t you just let us be. Okay so it’s not fully healthy, but we would do a lot worse to our selves if we didn’t have each other!
May 14th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i don’t fully understand this issue. i am not a sufferer, though like most girls, i like to lose weight tho i maybe don’t do it in the best way. so this documentary concerned me. what i couldn’t get my head round was the idea of beauty. when ppl look in the mirror, everyone’s image is slightly distorted. so i get that, if you look in the mirror and you think you’re fat, i understand that part of it. but surely you just want to be slim like a star on tv? but stars on tv still don’t look like those images i saw on the tv last night. and those pictures were horrific and disturbed me quite a lot. because how can anyone look at a picture of a skeletal woman with bones sticking out everywhere and no muscle whatsoever and think “yeah i wanna be like that?” like i say, i don’t understand this issue. for those who are suffering, forgive my ignorance. i just like to be frank and say it how it seems to me. for those who have lost people to anorexia, please forgive my lack of knowledge and know that i feel so much for you and your loss.
i don’t know what to make of these sites. i want to see for myself just how bad they are but i don’t know if i can. i think the term “pro-ana” is a very bad term, as it’s title suggests two things to me:
1 – that it is FOR anorexia, not for helping anorexics
2 – it seems like a buzzword, giving a cool status to an illness and the word “ana” is a girl’s name and therefore, there is an association with affection and femininity towards the disease. it makes the disease sound far too glamourous, so if people believe that pro-ana sites promote anorexia, then the public can be forgiven for thinking that. i don’t think that any word should make it sound nice. i have suffered with depression/ocd which is another mental illness and i can understand the need for community, and to hear other people’s stories to feel that you are not isolated. there is a place for community, but it needs to be treated very delicately. i can’t comment on the documentary. i only saw the last half so i didn’t see any crash dieting tips. it was shocking tv, that’s for sure. i don’t think fern should be blamed one hundred percent becuase it is a team of people who make and research a programme, not just one.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:16 am
These websites are very unlikeley to make non anorexic girls, anorexic.
also they are the only form of support anorexic people can get and feel safe with.
half of anorexic sites ARE PROMOTING recovery and healthy eating now.
louise -14years old-