Stigma of ED

[bisolvon]

This post/article (18.05.11) made me think:

"The Stigma Of Eating Disorders & Setting Stereotypes StraightBy MARGARITA TARTAKOVSKY

Comments

[nightcrawler_2_]

I love how the first line states that eating disorders are biologically-based. It's not like we have a million different theories for what causes them or anything, right? Sheesh.

The rest of the article is interesting, but that kinda irked me. =P

[bisolvon]

Yes, I don't like that either. But the rest is interesting and nice.

[spiderpiggle]

ooh i'll have to read aimee liu's new book! thankyou for posting this. i think it makes some very good points; it makes me think of how all the ignoramuses come out if 'thinspo' is posted on tumblr and they're like GOD DON'T YOU GIRLIES KNOW, MEN LIKE TITS AND ASS ONLY A DOG WANTS A BONE LOLOL and then there are dumbass 'health/fitness' tumblrs reblogging it when she has a fucking tube up her nose because THIN = HEALTHY

[acid_gloss]

Anorexia nervosa is seen as the holy grail of self-discipline amongst several people I have spoken to, many of whom are my close friends. This could just be a result of those with similar vulnerabilities aligning however even in other accounts of recovery etc (See: Going Hungry - fabulous book) it seems to be a common thread throughout. While on the other hand, bulmia n. has been described as a disorder for those of weak will. (I don't agree with any of the above by the way! Just to make it clear. :))

Basically, the way that the suffering is not seen as equal within that which subsides within the category of eating disorder. Personally I see them all as different shades of the same color and have experienced anorexia n. and bulimia n. From my experience when people learned I had anorexia n., the reaction was one of intrigue rather than disgust.

[andae]

This. I never understand why forcing yourself to purge is considered weak in any way, shape or form.

[yasdnil723]

My guess would be that bulimia involves binging (and sufferers are not underweight as in anorexia) and therefore seen as gluttonous and lacking self control which is equated with weak? Also your average person doesn't know that people with AN can binge and/or purge, too.

[acid_gloss]

Well, we live in a society that praises all instances of self-deprivation in relation to body and food and in this sense it's understandable but still false - I don't know anyone who has not been on a diet. For ex., in advertisements for weight loss the moment where the diet becomes too tough (aka biologically disastrous) it is seen as "failure" and an inability to maintain the esteemed "self-control" that is seemingly so laudable

[healthyfigure]

First, if eating disorders were completely biologically based im pretty sure one of my 3 siblings would have one... TRUE there is a biological element but this is not a genetic illness, just a predisposure. To EFFECT anyone it would have to be random so that is a contradiction in itself

[acid_gloss]

That's kind of a caricature of what mood disorders are, it is extremely plausible to have a manageable mood disorder that doesn't manifest as psychosis. And I say this as someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

[healthyfigure]

I have GAD, Social anxiety, MDD and OCD. I know what mood disorders are. My point was more that if i were walking down the street (lets use myself as an example for arguments sake) with a lot of unmanaged OCD symptoms which at times have LOOKED strange such as counting to myself, checking my pockets a lot, touching things etc i get a lot more looks than for just being emaciated

[yasdnil723]

I feel I have more stigma against me for being overweight than I do for having an ED, and having both of them together makes me feel particularly like a failure.

I like the article though.

[ex_lovedisc]

I know how you feel. It's hard because I apparently don't fit into any eating-disorder-box therefore people don't take me as seriously.