Eating Disorder Support Sites "Pro-Ana?"

United States
January 9, 2009 9:58pm CST
Many of you may be familiar with the term "pro-ana" in reference to the encouragement of eating disorders. Personally, I believe these terms are used in the completely wrong context, as the meaning has taken on something completely different. I own a fairly large eating disorder site. No, my site isn't all about recovery and learning to get better (although that does make up a portion of my site.) My site is meant to be a place where anyone with an eating disorder at any stage of their disorder, can connect with others experiencing the same things. Among the users of my site, there are several who are still suffering, a handful who are trying to get better, and even half a dozen young girls who are pregnant and are still battling their disorder, one day at a time for the sake of their babies, myself included. There's a lot of controversy surrounding these types of sites. A lot of people believe these sites can "teach" someone to develop an eating disorder. I disagree. Anyone can teach themselves anything if they really want to. Just because they visit a site, dosen't mean they'll develop a disorder as a result. My personal opinion, is that girls who develop disorders after viewing sites like mine, were already pretty likely to develop a disorder... After all, why would they have been visiting those types of sites in the first place? I know, i got off on a tangent, but I'm tired of hearing that sites like mine, "make" people sick. And that I "ought to be ashamed" when in fact, I have done something that has helped a LOT of people, including myself! And if you look at my site, I'm not blatently encouraging disorders. There's MANY pages all about the dangers of eating disorders, possible risks, impact on relationships, and much more! Opinions?
1 response
• United States
10 Jan 09
I have issues with websites that encourage their behavior and tell them the best way to make it through the day without eating, or the best foods to eat and general encouraging talk about how to stay sick. I think it's wrong and it's not contributing but in fact making people sicker. I think websites that those suffering from eating disorders need a safe, positive, site where tips on how to stay sick and lose weight are not shared.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jan 09
That's one thing that isn't shown on the main site. I don't have tips or tricks on my site. I don't have anything that gives instructions or directions on how to lose wieght quicker on the site. However, on the forum, members are permitted to discuss these things, however, they MUST be discussed in the proper password protected sections, so that individuals who shouldn't be seeing them, can't see them. I don't censor anyone, because sometimes, you feel the need to talk about things... But its not something you can talk about with people in your day to day life.