Talk:Promotion of anorexia

Grammar

Anorexic is an Adjective. Anorectic is a noun. unsigned comment by 68.100.182.120

Do you have any proof of this? Most sources say that "anorectic" is the British spelling whereas "anorexic" is the American spelling. (Although God knows, as with "connexion," it should be the other way around.)♥purplefeltangel 19:11, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

Take a look at the dictionary, it very clearly states that anorexic and anorectic are both both nouns and verbs. They are completely interchangeable.

UGH!

Obesity is a disease too, in the U.S. it kills and affects more per year than anorexia. Are you going to start kicking fat people out of McDonalds? Pro-ana websites don't teach people how to be anorexic because it's not something that can be learned. What they do, is provide support for those who are suffering. It's a way to learn to live with this illness. It's really sad how many people are trying to take these sites down all over the internet. I've come across white supremacist sites, porn sites, and sites that bash homosexuality etc., but obviously, the REAL problem exists in sites where people suffering from anorexia talk about their everyday lives and talk to people who know what they're going through...

People are trying to take down these websites, just like they'd try to take down any web site which encourages people to kill themselves. Anorexia is not a lifestyle, it's a psychosis which can prove fatal if left untreated.

Right.

All of this is true; the dangerous part comes when instead of encouraging support in recovery, pro-anas encourage support more illness.

Politics

Gawd I hate politics. I am temped to try to rewrite it so I visited articles, anti-ana site, and pro-ana sites. There are three points of views: 1.experts are rightly concerned and know how far to be concerned. 2. The public: most haven't been to a pro-ana site, but are happy to condemn ANY anorexia site not ran by professionals. 3. Pro-ana groups: who feel insulted by the negative media attention and are overly, if not dangerously, determined to keep such sites up. Pro-ana groups typically define pro-ana as some variation of support having a place to talk to others with their condition and with rare hint of suicide if they don't get their way. In light of this, how in the devil do you write a fair neutral article? There is too much taboo effect and right hand not talking to the left hand right now. No matter what you write you will offend a segment of the public.

The pro-anorexia groups are not support groups, any more than one's drinking buddies are a "support group" for an alcoholic.

recent edits

MUCH LOVES to 83.91.96.98, 193.129.219.10 and Eyu100 for making this article better!!! ♥ you all! Purplefeltangel 9 July 2005 01:26 (UTC)

• More love to Tregoweth! ♥Purplefeltangel 9 July 2005 06:20 (UTC)

NPOV tag

Do you think we can remove the NPOV tag now? ♥purplefeltangel 20:44, 9 July 2005 (UTC)

Pro-ana supporters often say that they are not sufferers of anorexia nervosa, rather, that they have made a 'conscious' lifestyle choice. While people may decide that they 'want' to be anorexic, this is always a result of factors in their lives convincing them that to be accepted and valued as a person, they must also be thin. Pro-ana websites and literature are dangerous as they have the potential to legitamize and encourage a very dangerous disease. It is no different to websites encouraging suicide - death is the result of being a 'successful' anorexic. Other extremist websites complained about are also abominable, and the writer of that complaint ignores that these websites are also monitored and shut down where possible to avoid spreading such negativity in this world. Pro-ana is another expression of this illness and is by no means a choice by healthy, open-minded people.

The other very valid argument for closing down these websites is their indisputable effect on other sufferers, who ever more frequently look around the internet in their first search for help. There are many excellent recovery websites out there with valuable information. Pro-ana websites, on the other hand, give these sufferers a path to even more self-destructive behaviour, with explicit 'advice' and motivation. Even if we were to accept that pro-ana is a lifestyle choice, no one should accept that a movement encouraging life-threatening behaviours should be allowed any influence in humanity's world.

Okay, but we're not advocating censorship here. We want to tell them they're wrong, not shut them up. There's a little thing called freedom of speech in Canada & America. ♥purplefeltangel 20:45, 18 July 2005 (UTC)

reply: Um, how are they "wrong"? They do NOT advocate anorexia or anyother ED. Most support recovery if the member seeks it. They offer help if there is a crisis etc etc. I'd rather not have anyone say ANYTHIGN about pro-ana websites unless they are a member and have knowledge of how the community works/runs. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.233.20.152 (talk • contribs)

I was a member of the pro-ana community for two years in my misguided youth and I have a very thorough knowledge of how the community works, which is why I'm so dedicated to this article. In response to your complaints about this article, it does state that pro-ana does not advocate anorexia but rather promotes acceptance of it as an alternative lifestyle. It also states that most pro-ana sites support recovery and offer help and advice during a crisis etc. Although Wikipedia is a neutral place, it also does not allow original research, which is in many cases what pro-ana is (experimentation about whether or not anorexia is feasible as an alternative lifestyle especially considering its destructive nature), especially since it, as the article said, contradicts prevailing medical research. I'd have to say that medical researchers win out over teenage girls. But you have your "overview" section, which has one sentence with anything that can be possibly construed as against pro-ana, the criticism and controversy section which has exactly four sentences that are actual criticisms of anorexia rather than the reactions of those who are criticizing. What more do you want from us? --♥purplefeltangel 19:19, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

POV is negative towards pro-ana sites

It is definitely NOT neutral. The article repeatedly vilifies pro-anas. Few benefits of pro-ana sites are listed either. For instance pro-ana sites offer support and help. It can and has saved many with EDs from injury or even death. It can prevent suicides or self inflicted injury. They can also discourage healthy people from [i]becoming[/i] anorexic, and help members in recovery if they may seek it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.233.20.152 (talk • contribs) 04:11, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Pro-anorexia websites can offer genuine advice, such as admonishing readers to avoid the use of syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. They can also be a place for the anorexic to talk to people like him or herself, and possibly improve self-esteem over the choice to remain anorexic. Some less-friendly pro-ana sites vigorously castigate and mock those who decide to seek treatment for anorexia. Others are not anti-recovery, and an anorexic who wishes to recover can find support for his or her choice through this network.

If you feel that more information about pro-anas should be added, by all means, go ahead and add it, but the article already addresses most of the concerns that you have listed. ♥purplefeltangel 19:23, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

The pro-ana people are not villians, but they are people suffering from a mental illness, much like the poor saps who fall for scientology or the heaven's gate cult.

How are you not villifying pro-ana when you claim they are akin to heaven's gate? Like you just did, this article puts a negative perspective on pro-ana, as though they encourage or promote it. THEY DO NOT. it is a place for anas to talk to each other and help any problems they have. they do NOT "recruit" anorexics, they do not intend to harm anyone, they are meant solely for help and support. please do not spout twisted truths or flat out lies.