Dec 2, 2006

Pro-Ana Websites

Although it seems preposterous, there are millions of people online who are encouraging each other to be sick. Not only that, they congregate on the Internet to share tips and tricks on being anorexic.

The sites show “thinspiration” pictures of models and celebrities who they admire for their ultra-skinny frames. Examples such as Victoria Beckham, Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie are some of the top-used images.

Also scary is that they give each other advice on how to hide their disorder from family and friends, making it a competition to see who can be the sickest. They compare weight, numbers, calories and, eerily, the number of bones that can bee seen through their skin.

“They’re very tempting on how to be the best at the disorder,” says Dr. Joy Armillay, a nutrition therapist.

“That’s why it’s so important to be in treatment, to recognize and verbalize that they’re issues. When I hear people mentioning them, they’re aware that it isn’t a good thing. Isn’t it frightening that you could have a how-to site for something so bad?”



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Comments

Nov 17, 2008 3:21 AM
Guest :
Hi im 18 years old and wen i first seen the pro ana sites i was sooo sickend and sad with what i was seeing i couldent belive what was happening to these younge people this girl who claims to be "ANA" was telling these kids that none of there perants loved them and to practically kill themselfs and starve to death saying that thay had to follow the "ana rules" i just couldent belive it she also said that if you binged on food that you werent ment to eat to bring the food up by puting there fingers down there throat until thay saw blood and water just coming up to make sure all the food was gone out of the body!!! i couldent belive this dangerous sickning advice was aloude it shocked me it needs to come to a stop the pro ana sites are everywere on the net thay need to be stopped before too many girls die from these sites thay are saying that anarexia is great and to get as thin as possible i am totaly against it all it is all just too sickning it needs to stop!!!!
Feb 4, 2009 7:53 PM
Guest :
some of these girls really are truly sick, but i think you have the wrong idea. there is no competition for one to beat the other. it is about self control. it is about being able to finally control one part of your life when everyone seems to be controlling the rest. they don't compare numbers for competition, but rather as a getting to know the other people for support. im not saying hiding is right, but if you feel that your world is falling apart, wouldn't there be at least one thing you would want to control? one thing that you don't want anybody touching? it's not about being the best, it's about them and them only. when everyone realizes this, only then girls will get the RIGHT treatment
May 18, 2009 12:13 PM
Guest :
i'm eighteen years old, and i recently was relieved of my anorexic trauma. i just thank god that he showed my way out, i was getting to be about 89 pounds and at height 5' 5'. that seems disgusting, and i'm sorry i ever even started. well now i'm gaining back weight, and i'm just glad i can eat and be healthy again.
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