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Behind Pro-Anorexia Sites by: Tia Scott Anorexia effects thousands of people each year, most whom are females ranging from the ages of 15-25. With the boom of pro-anorexia sites, the media has portrayed its negative exploration of these such sites. With names such as 'Love You to the Bones' and 'Stick Thin Pixies' , these pro-anorexia sites provide a safe haven for people that live with anorexia. Some of these sites display logo's such as 'Anorexia-A Lifestyle, Not A Disease.' and 'Fatness Equals Imperfection' Clearly stating and signifying their proudness of being anorexic. We were aloud to go behind the scenes at a few of these sites and study the need for these girls to attend pro-anorexia sites. Many of them say they go to these sites for the support of their peers that are in a similar situation such as theirs. Below are a few interviews that were conducted by us to some of the girls that attend these sites. Please note that we do not promote anorexia in any way, shape, or form. We felt that instead of negativity, as the media has done, that these girls should have a chance as everyone else to speak their minds about the situation. We were going to edit the interviews into one article, but the girls' opinions and situations were so strong that we decided to include their whole interviews. Anonymous - Story One 1- What is your age? 14 2- How long have you been trying to lose weight? Seriously trying, about 5 months now 3- How much do you weight? A disgusting 139 (down from 165 though) 4- What is your goal weight? Around 90 pounds, but I want to someday get down to 75. 5- What has influenced you the most on trying to lose weight? Probably fashion industry. I'd like to fit into those cute little clothes that they make just for skinny people. 6- Do you think the media and 'stardom' plays a role with how you feel about your body? I think if you have the pre-disposition, yes it can be a factor 7- What has been the hardest for you trying to lose weight? When you stop eating normally, you either don't eat enough or eat to much (bingeing). You lose a sense of 'in the middle'; one extreme or the other. I have to deal with the bingeing. 8- How do you feel about the term 'anorexia?' Many would disagree, but I think it is a disease for some people, but for others (like me), we are *choosing* to do/continue with it. 9- How do you view anorexia? If it progresses to a point, a disease, in the early stages, I view it as a lifestyle, something we should be allowed to continue with out harassment. 10- Do you see yourself as having low self esteem? Yes, I do. 11- Do you attend 'pro-anorexia' sites? Yes and I run one too. 12- If yes, why do you attend 'pro-anorexia' sites? To feel less alone, that there are other people out there too that struggle with the same things I do. 13- Is there any words you would like to say that could convince people that anorexia should be accepted as a lifestyle and not a disease? If the affected person doesn't want help, who are you to say they have to get it? Yes it might be best for them, but you have no right to make that choice. If I want to view anorexia as a lifestyle, I can do that and you have no right/responsibility to change my mind for me. 14- Finally, if you had the chance to say how you felt about the media's negative exploitation of pro-anorexic sites, what would you say to them? You say we lure people into this so-called life style. We do not and the fact that in some of your articles you list pro-anorexic web sites makes you no better than us. You say we are selfish and yet to get more readers you name off pro-anorexic groups and publish pictures off of our sites. You are no better than what you say we are. Pro-anorexia sites exist because we are tired of feeling alone and worthless. They are here to let people have the strength to get out of bed in the morning. You can put a anorexic in a hospital, threaten to tube feed them, but do you really think they will get better if *they* don't want to themselves? These sites keep people going emotionally and if they choose to get help, we support them 110%. Darcy's Story 1- What is your age? 15 2- How long have you been trying to lose weight? Its only become a 'priority' in the last year or so. And the pro-ana is also only a very recent thing; I want to lose it fast.now 3- How much do you weight? I honestly don't know, haven't stepped on a scale in 6 years. BUT I do know I'm over-weight, and this isn't a 'anorexic mind set here' people often say 'you're a big girl'. Yuck. 4- What is your goal weight? I don't have one... but I do know I want to be sexy not skinny.... (maybe a little of both?) its more of a looking in the mirror than it is stepping on the scales thing... 5- What has influenced you the most on trying to lose weight? Probably looking at my gorgeous friends every day.... it makes me hate my body... 6- Do you think the media and 'stardom' plays a role with how you feel about your body? Possibly... but I don't go in for crowd following/star worshipping.... 7- What has been the hardest for you trying to lose weight? I comfort eat BIG time, and I'm depressed, which means I have alot to comfort eat about! Sometimes I wonder if I have binge eating disorder.... anyway, that's it.... 8- How do you feel about the term 'anorexia?' I actually think its one of the few terms that still holds meaning and hasn't been abused when it comes to 'mental illness' (not that I'm saying its a mental illness) 9- How do you view anorexia? I'll be honest, I think I know what I'm getting into is kind of risky. There is a part of me screaming out 'why do you want this disease'. I'm not stupid. I KNOW it KILLS. I think maybe I'm relying on the fact that I have no self-control, to win out before it gets too much.. maybe I'm in denial.... There are borderline-anorexics who can live the life style, while still managing to go on, maintaining enough weight not to be hospitalized. I guess that's a life style. But when it goes to full out, bones showing, passing out, I'm not sure.... Sorry for the evasive answer... 10- Do you see yourself as having low self esteem? Yes. I used to be full of confidence but then I got heavily depressed and it all went out the window. 'low self esteem' isn't the right word. I actively HATE myself. 11- Do you attend 'pro-anorexia' sites? Yes all the time. 12- If yes, why do you attend 'pro-anorexia' sites? To pass the 'not eating' time. To know I'm not alone. To find tips and tricks. 13- Is there any words you would like to say that could convince people that anorexia should be accepted as a lifestyle and not a disease? I'm not saying that it should, many people with it are sick, and need help. But there are others, who believe in what they're doing, who CHOOSE to live like that. It is their free right to that choice, and however much you may disagree, please PLEASE don't judge, and try to understand us. 14- Finally, if you had the chance to say how you felt about the media's negative exploitation of pro-anorexic sites, what would you say to them? Not alot..... I mean, we're still going strong, its not a big deal to us.... but it does kinda isolate us y'know? its like 'them and us', maybe pushing us back further into our own underground world. The things they say are ridiculous, laughable really. I mean, they haven't looked at the sites in any other way but the 'judgmental worried mother' eyes they know their readers want. really, all these shock stories are not needed for a relatively harmless thing. 15- Additional Comments: For me, this isn't mainly about weight. Its alot about control. I feel so out of control in the rest of my life, this is something I need to do to show myself I can. I also self-injure, and starving myself is a form of that. I'm not saying I'm 'pro' self injury too, but without it I'd be dead by now, so who knows? Stefanie's Story 1- What is your age? I am an 18 yr. old 2- How long have you been trying to lose weight? Basically I first started having issues with my body image by fifth grade, I was limiting my food intake considerably and six grade was when I first started purging. For me it was never about bingeing it was just trying to throw up anything that might be inside of me ever sense then I have had long time periods of anorexia and when I have to eat is when I purge, so I would say I have had this problem for almost seven years. 3- How much do you weight? Right now I'm currently at 92 lbs and 5'4. 4- What is your goal weight? Right now my goal is maintaining this weight between 90 and 92 I don't want to see myself go above '95
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