So called “pro-ana” sites
These “pro-ana” sites (the name seems to have become controversial in the community) are one of a zillion reasons I’m glad there was no internet when I was a teenager. Like most girls who come of age in America, I flirted with eating problems. Fortunately, the one time I tried to make myself throw up after a major binge (’cuz binge I could do), I got a cramp in my tongue. I’m serious, quit laughing. I got up off the bathroom floor and called suicide prevention. “I don’t want to kill myself,” I said. “But I don’t think I can do this anymore.” They encouraged me to call my mom and that’s the first time I went into therapy. I was, I think, about 15. But that was my bottom, thank god, and now here I am, my worst teenage nightmare realized, a chubby woman and you know, it’s not that bad. In fact, life is pretty great. Not that I don’t brush against some of my old time-y body issues now and then but I just roll my eyes and move on.
I guess there’s been a lot of media attention about these sites saying that they “encourage” eating disorders. I went and looked at a bunch of them and they looked to me like a *reflection* of eating disorders. I’ll admit that the “tips” are a bit scary because there just wasn’t access to that kind of info when I was a teen but as to their “thinspiration”, well, they themselves will tell you that it’s nothing you won’t see in Vogue. God, this is one reason I was so grateful to have a son. I feel so helpless when I think of the onslaught of media images and I don’t know how you build a girl who won’t succumb to them in some way. My heart breaks for the girls/women finding solace in these sites.
I’m including links to three of the sites because I thought you should see what I’m talking about:
(WARNING: if you are in recovery or are currently struggling with an eating disorder, please don’t check these out; they could be very triggering)
Anorexic Nation
The Colors of Ana
Thinspiration
Unfortunately, boys are just as susceptible to the media onslaught. For fifteen years I’ve been fighting this. Now I have a fifteen year old son whose hormones are fed daily by media images of the perfect woman: Thin with a big chest. It is an insidious form of brainwashing and no matter how we raise our sons, the media are still going to leave the imprint that not only is thin desireable, thin is also more virtuous. The thin woman is in control of her life and her body. She has it together. Just do it, and all that.
I do wonder how boys are affected by media images of women. The men in my life — husband, brother — don’t seem brainwashed but maybe as teens they were more susceptible. But the self-hatred is the part that stops me cold. I don’t know how you protect girl-children from hurting themselves as they try to gain power and control over their lives. In one of the pro-ana sites is a big banner that says: Dying for Perfection and the author of the site goes on to say how she is trying to train her body, trying to take control. It is so deeply disturbing.
Honestly i think if people are into this thinspiration or so called dissease, most people want someone to know or help in someway. If people want to give tips or say things about what they do then just leave them alone, and let people who want it use it. If you dont like it then dont go to the sites and read about them.
i think pro-ana sites should be allowed, and hey.. if you don’t want to visit them then DON’T. DUH!!!!!!!
I think that they should be shut down. SURE, the first amanment or whatever says free speech but most of the girls that would try to access them are, can you say, BRAINWASHED. I mean the site owners are taking advantage of the fragile nature that these are made of, here this: all girls see in the media is THIN THIN THIN, then when someone says hey! we’re gunna give you “tips” on ways to get thin, what do you think a triggered girl would say? PLUS do you think that back then when those amendments were made that they’de have to one day deal with people sending messages to young girls (and boys) that starving themselves and throwing up what they just ate was good. Hey: GOOD EATING HABITS + HEALTHY AMOUNTS of YOGA = HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS…… 1
I think that they should be shut down. SURE, the first amanment or whatever says free speech but most of the girls that would try to access them are, can you say, BRAINWASHED. I mean the site owners are taking advantage of the fragile nature that these are made of, here this: all girls see in the media is THIN THIN THIN, then when someone says hey! we’re gunna give you “tips” on ways to get thin, what do you think a triggered girl would say? PLUS do you think that back then when those amendments were made that they’de have to one day deal with people sending messages to young girls (and boys) that starving themselves and throwing up what they just ate was good. Hey: GOOD EATING HABITS + HEALTHY AMOUNTS of YOGA = HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS…… 1
I think that they should be shut down. SURE, the first amanment or whatever says free speech but most of the girls that would try to access them are, can you say, BRAINWASHED. I mean the site owners are taking advantage of the fragile nature that these are made of, here this: all girls see in the media is THIN THIN THIN, then when someone says hey! we’re gunna give you “tips” on ways to get thin, what do you think a triggered girl would say? PLUS do you think that back then when those amendments were made that they’de have to one day deal with people sending messages to young girls (and boys) that starving themselves and throwing up what they just ate was good. Hey: GOOD EATING HABITS + HEALTHY AMOUNTS of YOGA = HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS…… 1
Lexi, outside of the free speech issue, I think it’s very important to note that the people creating these sites are girls and women who are living with eating disorders. It’s not like Calvin Klein or Abercrombie and Fitch who are in it for the money. What I got from looking at the sites is that these were girls and women talking about their experiences and reaching out to each other. Without a doubt, the site content is unhealthy and dangerous but it *is* the reflection of the mind of someone struggling with an eating disorder. Instead of handing someone a tip on how to “healthfully” lose weight (as if that’s any less triggering, really), I would rather that we as a society focus on raising healthy girls whose self esteem is not undermined by the insidious play of Madison Avenue.
I am saddened to see so many people needing to see these sites for tips on getting sicker, wake up all anorexia will kill you, thin like a bone rack is not attractive, nor is it healthy, ask me nearly 31 had anorexia for over 10 years off and on, the last 2 and a half has been the worst. I hate being so thin, its embarassing when people stare, and my health is awful, i fight everyday to beat the so called” ed monster” in my head, it is hard, this was brought on by childhood abuse and adult abuse. Ana is not my friend like some say she is my enemy!! I will not let her win, and find some other ways of control in my life, not doing this to my body, cause listen up people, it catches up to you health wise all to fit into a size 0 or 3, not worth it, LIFE IS!!!!!
pro ana websites do not advocate eating disorders. they are meant to be viewed by those who already have them. they don’t *make* girls develop anorexia. anorexia is a complex matter. it revolves more than food, and it means much more than being thin. anorexia gives them something to be proud of…afterall, how many people can go a few days without eatiing? they have willpower and that makes them happy. and at pro ana sites, girls (or guys–most people fail to realize that guys can develop eating disorders too) seek support at these sites, and do not feel alone. if you want to shut something down, shut down porn sites. you can never just “become” anorexic just because you viewed a site. everyone here has viewed them, and no one just magically became anorexic.
if you dont agree, then dont go into those sites. its that simple. those sites are made to kind of give a refuge to people with eating disorders. they give tips on how to lose weight, but then think about it, if the person already has the eating disorder, they will find countless other ways to lose weight, even if they dont have acesses to the sites.the pro ana sites dont encourage anyone to become anorexic or to develope any sort of eating disorder. people dont just become anorexic or whatever, just by reading something. its starts from within. if people are going be angry and protest about something, then they should be prostesting against the way that women are shown on the media..with the “perfect bodies” those sorts of things are very triggering to people with ED’s. people are just prostesting against the wrong thing.
I am 16 years old. I am anorexia. I feel as if im a fat and worthless, so i figured id let you know first hand what i think about pro ana sites. im not the skinnest ana cuz im not that far in it yet, people notice i lost weight and say im getting to skinny im 5′4 114lbs
a couple of days ago i was searching for pro ana sites *i have done this many times, it was nothing new* and i came across one that is a petition to stop the sites. I was mad when i saw that cuz they have to idea what we go through, what we feel. So i got kinda bored, lol and wrote a lil paper on what i thought, its kind of long, but i will really appreaciate it if u read it all thank u. if u want any more of what i think, u can email me. bye bye
You hear many researchers suggesting that we ban ‘pro-ana’ websites. Saying that it teaches young girls to start destructive behaviors to control their weight and image. They have started petitions to end this wave of trend, and some have conquered. What they might fail to understand and didnt take the time to research is 90% of the woman and girls that look for the sites are already feed up with their weight, calorie intakes and people telling them they are fat. They are ready to give up on themselves. Some are already cutting themselves and Trying to commit suscide. I do admit, alot of those girls are always going to feel helpless, out of place, fat. But these ‘pro-ana’ websites teach them what to do to feel better. how to manage their weight and get to their goals. It will teach them how to exercise in a way that wont hurt as much after fasting, because they will be weaker than the normal person. These sites are nothing more than a diet program. We are doing things, cutting out fat foods and sometimes all food. We have to exercise alot. Drink alot of water, take diet pills. So what is the difference between us and any other diet program out there that america says “hey its okay to do this, cuz its “healthy”. Some of the sites are extreme about the methods they send forth to the people that visit them. But weither or not they even click on the links, they still feel the same before and after they leave. Their unhappy, ashamed, fat, and worthless. When they get the tips and ideas they feel there is hope to be happy. How dare the ‘petition signers’ take that away from us. If they have never felt like anorexia is taking over their lifes, they dont have a right to stop the other millions of people that are unhappy with their bodys. I am not going to paint a pretty picture of this. Anorexia is a hell hole spirling down without comfort. In the head of an ‘ana’, they will always be worthless until they reach the tinest weight, leanest legs, most protruding collarbones. Other people get tattoos and peircings, Which hurt the body. They are painful, but who are you to tell them what they are allowed to do with their body. If they are happy, let them be. We dont stop you listening to your music or subscribing to readers digest. The youth of america in this generation are more overwhelmed than any other generation with image. We have to be perfect. The people that ban ‘pro-ana sites’ are usally older. No one is pressuring them to be perfect anymore. They dont have to worry about being made fun of and unconsidered cool. So they dont know what anas are suffering from. How can they tell us what to do, read, listen to?
Its our bodys.
Jessica Thomas
When people talk about banning Pro Ana sites, it doesn’t make since. There are plenty of sites out there that are pro drug use, even pro rape. Those aren’t getting shut down, yet those things are just as self destructive. If one type of “non healthy” web site has to get shut down, then all should…and if one would look at things from a different point of view, just about anything can be considered “unhealthy” depending on one’s morals, religion, and background.
So if pro ana sites make some people unhappy, then it’s their responsibility to learn to deal with the way of the world.
pro-ana sites make me even more sick than i already am. i have been battling ana off and on for 4 years now and i cant believe some ppl are sick enough in the head to post sites that give tips on how to get skinnier and then try to say they are just helping them out. that deters me.
First of all, I’m one of the many women out there who’s currently struggling with an eating disorder. However, I would never want someone else to go through the same mental crap that I do on a daily basis. With that said, I do not feel as though sharing your “secret tips” with men/women is helpful. Have these pro-ana sites ever heard the saying,”misery loves company”? Well, the saying truly fits these group of people!
pro ana sites arent that bad atleast they encourage the girls to eat even if it is only a certain amount of calories but atleast they are eating. i have been to a ton of the sites and they do help. there are ppl there going thru the same things u are and it helps to know ur not alone. therapy doesnt do that u get ridiculed b/c u dont eat enough and they try to force u to eat. thats just my opinon on it but me and my sisters use the sites.
I hate when people sit there and trash pro ana sites, i am pro ana and i have been for 6 years im 20 now, and im not saying im proud none of us really are but we do need some place to go and feel like we are not going through are battle alone. yes they do encourage us by posting tips and thinspirations but they also encourage people to get help, so they can get better. so if you were to take away all the pro ana sites there are, then most of us would’nt have a place to go to when we need someone to talk to, someone facing the same problems we do.
I hate when people sit there and trash pro ana sites, i am pro ana and i have been for 6 years im 20 now, and im not saying im proud none of us really are but we do need some place to go and feel like we are not going through are battle alone. yes they do encourage us by posting tips and thinspirations but they also encourage people to get help, so they can get better. so if you were to take away all the pro ana sites there are, then most of us would’nt have a place to go to when we need someone to talk to, someone facing the same problems we do.
For one to say that they’re pro ana and then turn around and say they’re not proud to be pro ana makes little sense to me. How can someone be supporting anorexia and then turn around and say they’re not proud of it? Please, help me out on this one!
Heey, people!
I’m Lotte and I’m 13 years old.
I live in the Netherlands.
I am 1.62 meter and 52 kg.
But I’m not good in Inglish..
That’s bad!
But, good luck too you!
Kisses and peace from Lotte
ps. Have people tips (I don’t no is that right!)
First of all, I am a young adult with anorexia, and believe me, it’s not something that just anyone can develop. I am 5′1 and 95ibs, and I used to be 65ibs. I’d give anything to be around 75 or 85 ibs again, but it’s not really because I want to be that thin. I think people shouldn’t be judged on appearance, yet I have anorexia just the same. I feel better when I’m thinner and not eating. People who go to these pro ana sites most likely already have anorexia and are looking for someone or something to relate to. We already know how to not eat and what not; we don’t need to be taught!! Banning the sites will only cause an uproar amongst us anorexics. It could maybe make things worse. If the sites are banned I propose a nation wide hunger strike to teach all of you who are ignorant to our pain a lesson: that lesson being that this pain, along with suicide, self harm, and other problems that often accompany anorexia, is a part of who we are. These sites at least let us have friends. Some people actually semi-recover because of them. As an anorexic sufferer, please don’t ban them!!!
I think it’s a good idea to ban the sites i just came on the internet to find one so i can lose weight i’m 98 lbs 5′2 16 years old and i think i need to lose more weight i suffer from depression and i dont want to be anorexic and because i didnt find one of those sites it might have saved my life and will save other girls who think they need to be anorexic to be pretty which is not true guys dont like really skinny girls anyway they want something to hold on to not bones thats gross i think if your too skinny its uglier then being overweight seriously it is so stupid to hurt your self in ways you dont have to…
I gather that many of these posts, like the pro-ana websites, are from a generally younger crowd. I’m 20 years old. I do know what its like to struggle with body image, the need for control in a chaotic world, the desire to be perfect, cool, beautiful. I’m lucky in that I also know that anorexic/bulimic behavior is not the equivalent of success. It shouldn’t take luck for someone to realize this. Pro-ana sites are not a forum to discuss a disease. The choice to starve to death is not a political standpoint. That aside, causing ‘a major uproar’ amongst anoretics wouldn’t be a bad thing. Riot. Rebel. But pick your battles. Would you fight for the right to die slowly, or live without experiencing life, in fear of your heart rate stopping as you fall asleep each night? or would you rather fight against a world that tells you you’re worthless unless you starve, that complements you when you’ve lost weight? I dont believe that the websites cause anorexia. Various social and personal experiences create that. The websites are shocking to many people because they show what goes on in the mind of an anoretic person, often a very young person; they reveal the intense loneliness, the self-loathing, the desire for control, intense fear, and lies that are believed because we want any reason to do what we’re doing. we want to say we’re being proactive. I dont think the websites are a good thing because they present a very destructive behavior, a disease, as an empowering choice. The warnings to recovering anoretics are bull. Ana is a liar. She hisses at you, wants you thinner. No ideal weight will suffice. Having websites that present this as okay, that present this disease as a club and seek solidarity, are dangerous because they perpetuate the situation. I’m not worried about “converts” - I’m worried about the 15 year old girl who created a website dedicated to her self loathing. Who isn’t trying to “get better,” who is “in control” of her situation. There is no getting better. even if you’re a lucky one, even if you recover, the voices and the mirror haunt you. the hospital records haunt you. the websites? well, they make it seem okay to be miserable and in pain, so long as you’re doing it together. besides, you can compete with the others, be the thinnest, and therefore the best. right? very, very wrong.
I really do think that they should ban the sites…im 15 years old, and i think that it’s just kinda stupid…don’t you think? If a girl is already super skinny and is like 110lbs, but still feels the need that they have to lose even more weight…it’s sad. Because the girls ***and guys*** out there think-”yeah, it’s okay. Some sites even tell us how to lose that weight!”-no, it’s not okay. We all do decide what we can do with our bodies, which was true *thanks jessica*, but the only flaw is, getting piercings doesn’t hurt our health…ana does. I am just really concerned about it. It scares me…but im not trying to say that anyone who is ana is a nasty person, because a lot of people can’t really help but think only about the negatives…which i think is rediculous…but hey! I’m only 15 what do i know…right… Wrong.
Amy Pavlik
http://www.anorexicweb.com
is a site I found dedicated more towards BOYS/MALES with anorexia. The author above indicated, “I’m glad I have a boy,” thinking that that made a parent somehow ’safe’ from this eating disorder in males.
It’s becoming more prevalent in males, don’t be so sexist thinking it doesn’t effect boys which in turn will give other mother’s the idea their child is safe because they’re male and boys aren’t into it. It’s best to keep your eyes open at all times. This disease effects both sexes, all races and all ages (there is an upswing in elderly women getting this disorder).
Hi, my name is tiffany, and I’m 16 years old, I’m Bulimic/anorexic, I have been for 4 years… I don’t think the pro-ana websites should be shut down…. no one else on this earth can understand a bulimic or an anorexic unless they’re ana or mia themselves! we go to these sites because we know these people care! people who are trying to shut down these sites, are people who just think that “eating disorders are stupid” and think we’re in it for the “weight” well it’s so much more than that! how about every PERSON who is against pro-ana… why don’t ya’ll ask us about are feelings instead of BASHING us for it..?! everyone has coping skills, things they do to overcome certain things, ours is starving ourselves, or throwing up! we wanna be perfect we STRIVE for perfection!!! but no one understands that. everyone thinks we’re just dumb fat people who wanna fit some prom dress. well that’s what society has labeled us as! most of us HATE living our lives like this! but we feel as if we have no choice… it’s our only way out, most people who have eating disorders have been throug HELL they’re whole life! yes, even 16 year olds!!! (talking from personal experience) rape, abuse, made fun of, sex, drugs… I mean there’s SO much more to it than JUST! throwing up or starving yourself… if you wanna “help” people with ED’s then reach out to us… don’t shut down the pro-ana websites try to understand us a little… please?! :o( btw, yes, I’ve gone to treatment, and I’m in recovery now… and it WAS such a wonderful feeling, but i’m still not perfect it’s hard to maintain recovery, especially when you feel you have no one to turn to. anyways, I can write a novel on this lol so please just take what i said into consideration…. thanks
Tiff
pro-ana sites should totally be ALLOWED! there is no reason for them to be banned. porn is allowed, cuz no one forces ppl to look at them if they dont want to. same goes for pro-ana sites. the sites show us ( ppl with ED’s) that there are other ppl out there. we go thru hell to hide our ED’s, and those sites are the only place we can be open about it. dont hate ‘em just cuz you dont like ‘em. i dont like porn sites i think that they exploit woman, but i dont hate them, cuz i dont look at them. i dont want to SO I DONT! free will is something that no one else controls.
* <3 Annie <3 *
be proud of your body. and you are not a winner if you dont eat you are an idiot following money hungry people. i can’t believe you all critisize people w/ normal weight
Truthfully, Pro ana sites are what triggerd me to be ana although i had the tendency already. I belilve that we are willingly getting ourselves into this mess and only we can get ourselves out. Taking away pro ana sites will not decrease ana, nor will it deture it. At least we have a place to feel understood and not alone, that does deture suicide attempts, i know from experiance
people out there who are against pro ana sites and dont understand it need to back off! they dont know that they arent there for them to critisize but for a place for pro eds to go for support.
its great i lost 45 pounds from being anorexic…. i am now in a size 3 jeans and i was in a size 12….. i love what i am doing because it makes me feel good about myself. i now weigh 110 pounds and i want to weigh 80 and ill get there soon.
i think that pro-ana sites shouldn’t be shut down. it really makes me mad that people can be alcoholics or drug addicts and have all of their magazines and stuff (ex: high times) yet, anorexics can’t have theirs. i know that anorexia isn’t good for your body and it does hurt the people around you, but, you can’t make everyone happy. In life, you can only make yourself happy. Plus, if you were to shut them down, there would still be a way to get all that information out to the anorexics anyway so there is no use of trying to shut them down because they will get it some other way.
also, if you are going to allow porn sites, then you should allow pro-ana sites. besides, if you don’t like them, DON’T LOOK AT THEM! DUH!!! how hard is it to NOT LOOK AT THEM? honestly people. i think that you people that look at them and criticize them are just making people with ED’s more mad and causing controversy that ISN’T NECESSARY!!!! seriously ppl! think about this!!!!
Looks like a battle to me. About the pro ana/mia stuff - who cares. I used to be pro ana quite a while ago. But, I was smart enough to straighten out my priorities. At 20, I weighed only 90 lbs. It was when my 4 year old son was mimicing my eating habits (or should I say “non-eating habits”) that I opened my eyes. I signed myself into a retreat for help. And, today I am 125 lbs and healthy. Admitting the disorder is the first step. For those who are pro ana/mia, have at it, just make sure it is only your life your dimishing of. For those who want the pro ana/mia sites shut down, it wouldn’t matter. They’d just find another way around it. I’m not saying I agree with the sites, cause I don’t. But, you can’t help those who don’t want to be helped.
Well I read it. I think Pro Ana sites should be kept up. I mean…it’s everyones right to read about what they want.
Personally i think i need to lose weight, but i am by no means anorexic. Although i did feel sad when a friend of mine tried on my jeans and they were about three sizes too big. damn her and her super fast metabolism.
I’m 15, 5′2″ and 156 lbs. What do you think?
If you wanna lose weght then fine. Just dont go overboard. 5 or six lbs is fine. Try slim fast fopr christ sakes! i lost seven ounds on it the first week. Of course i ran out of money after that…but they hav soups and pasts and ice cream now so its alot easier to follow.
Pro-ana sites should not be shut down. I am a member of one, but I have suffered from my eating disorder for years, the majority of that time I did it alone and it is a very scary place to be. They are good support networks, and when someone decides to explore recovery they are usually the recipients of huge support and encouragement.
I think your fat.
I totally support pro ana!
I’m a male anorexic. Pro-ana sites give me the support I need, and there I find the only people who understand. Especially being a male anorexic.
I now weigh 115lbs and I’m planning on going till 90 or so.
I found these sights a few years ago. I struggle daily with recovery from this deadly disease. These sites can keep me going somedays, yes, but it is my choice. If these sites were shut down, I wouldnt fight it. I think, for me, it’d be healthy. But I wont be the one to promote the distruction. I will simply feed off what I am able to obtain… thats what I am I suppose, a bottom feeder. Either they stay and I WILLINGLY continue to obtain their information and participate in their sites, or they are shut down, and I go on with my life with just one more trigger wipped out.
pro-ana should NOT be banned. before i found those sites I felt lonely and misunderstood and worthless. I wanted to die. But being in a community with people who felt the same as i did, understood my obessions and problems and treated me like an awesome person, whether I binged or fasted or ate normally or whatever felt really great. I didn’t feel judged or worthless. Months later, my sef confidence has been revitalized. I love the pals I made, and the sense of belonging they gave me. When i was sick and passing out, they told me to eat, and when I complained about my chubby arms they told me I was still beautiful. The point is, telling me that anorexia is stupid never helped me. Actually going to that pro-ana site made me feel confident enough to eat. I love myself more, and I’m even thinking about eating normally for good. Now I have the courage to let people see the person inside me and stop obsessing as much over my weight. Maybe pro-ana sites won’t help everyone into recovery, but they really helped me. They should NOT be banned.
i dont think pro-ana sites should be banned at all-it gives us support and a community of people to talk to that know what we go through, how we feel on a daily basis. these people that want to shu them down dont even understand how it feels to be ana and it isnt just about starving yourself its about how you see yourself and the thoughts going through your mind, what you go through in life. how can you ban a support network and not ban other things like porn sites??
hi.
just wanna say.. all you guys should be able to appreciate how you are, anorexic or not, but please don’t go overboard and risk your health.
sure, lose some weight if you desperately wanna look like a vogue mag model but..
nobody wants a horror show of a skeleton, do they? what a nightmare…*shudders*
anyway, i say that pro ana sites should be allowed, because those people who set up the sites want to express their feelings and opinions, and to meet others who feel the same.
has anybody heard of the very first amendment…hmm.. what was it…ah! freedom of speech and press!! they totally have the right to do so.
it’s not like they’re advocating or selling sex, drugs, and alcohol. get over it.
i guess i would just like to say that its not always youth… i am 31 years old and have been anorexic/bulimic for almost 20 years now.. until i found these sites, i was forced to endure this alone with noone to talk to because i got sick of people rolling their eyes at me or saying ‘you’re skinny, shutup..’ i dont expect everybody (or anybody for that matter) to ‘get’ it…
i dont go for approval, just understanding… i’ve been in therapy and the key to beating depression is “don’t isolate”… they want to shut down these sites? for many it will promote isolation.. the depression will kill a lot of anorexics before anorexia does… just a thought…
Dont close down these sites! Anyone that has anorexia or bulimia or anything like that will only “sink down” further! i know this because i am one of these people and with out these web sites, i probably wont die of anorexia, i will die from killing myself! Being able to talk to other people like me is all that gets me through the day because no one else understands, only people that have gone through it or are going through it will understand. what is so wrong with me being 6 and a half stone at the height of 5.3″
the sites r fantastic! if they were taken down, people wouldnt die from anorexia, they would kill themselves becuase these sites are what keeps them going, they can talk to other people with the same problems, people who understand. I know this because i am one of them and without the support of others like me, i couldnt face each day. if you hate the sites so damn much them dont visit them, pro-ana is a lifestyle not a disease. maybe if all of you got of ur arses and did a bit of exercise then maybe you wouldnt be so jealous of us who r slimmer! dont be so stuck up, its our choice! i am 5,5″ and weight 6 and a half stone n i dont see a single problem with dat cuz it aint like im hurtin anyone by getting slimmer!
To live in a “free” country, it is my duty to accept other people’s opinions, beliefs, and ways of life. To suggest the censorship of pro-ana sites is just that - to suggest censorship. Freedom of speech does not mean, “you have the right to believe anything you please.. as long as I don’t object.” It is a ridiculous person that chooses censorship as a form of “fixing” problems. “But pro-ana sites promote the disease,” one might say. Really? Okay, so maybe we should make alcohol illegal, because some people drink and drive. Oh, and let’s make television illegal, too, since it promotes violence and idleness.
Pro ana sites should be made illegal, end of story. There isn’t even an issue here, whether it’s free will or censorship or whatever. They have no benefit to society or the individual. They PROMOTE eating disorders! They encourage people with severe, deep rooted psychological problems to carry on bingeing, purging and starving themselves in order to be ‘perfect’. People with these eating disorders now see their illnesses as a lifestyle choice thanks to these pro ana sites! Furthermore, they become dependent on these websites in order to live their lives. That, in itself, is a problem. In this way, we should not be disussing IF the sites should be banned, but WHEN.
Female/15/UK
“Pro ana sites should be made illegal, end of story.”
I totally disagree with this, I have been using Pro Ana sites for under a year, and although I’ll get an unbeleivable amount of criticism for saying this but I really beleive this is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
Its made me realise that I can do things when I put my mind to it, and I can acheive my goals, and feel better about myself.
Shutting down the pro ana sites will only incourage young people to turn inward even more, the people on the sites who are also pro ana o pro mia feel better in knowing that theres someone else out there who knows what their feeling, becuase its easier to talk to a complete stranger through the internet, than a freind or relative face to face.
I havn’t read all of the other comments, but i did read a few, and I disagree with the people who think that these sites should be shut down. They help, and if you really don’t like the sites, then don’t visit them. They may be disturbing to you, but to me and many other girls, and yes, even boys, anorexia is the only thing we can control. We’re not sick, we’re just skinny, and if you have a problem with it, then don’t look at us, and don’t look at the sites.
I havn’t read all of the other comments, but i did read a few, and I disagree with the people who think that these sites should be shut down. They help, and if you really don’t like the sites, then don’t visit them. They may be disturbing to you, but to me and many other girls, and yes, even boys, anorexia is the only thing we can control. We’re not sick, we’re just skinny, and if you have a problem with it, then don’t look at us, and don’t look at the sites.
“We’re not sick, we’re just skinny, and if you have a problem with it, then don’t look at us, and don’t look at the sites.”
- Thats exactly what all those sites promote. We’re not sick, we are recovering, somehow all of these images of starving women are helping us realize our goals. Also, try and tell a 14 year old girl who sees pictures of ppl like Lindsay Lohan and Mary Kate Olsen to not go into these websites and get ideas. People are one click away from learning how to lose all the pounds they want. These forums have pictures of thinspiration, girls weight stats, and tips like eat only 200 calories a day and lose weight fast. These websites are like giving away free drugs to a drug addict. No question about it…they should be illegal.
OMG i totally disagree with these websites after reading your website!!! my friend got anorexia last year and nearly died!!! she missed 5 mnths of school because she was in hospital and i cant believe it that she could of died because of a website!!! she did get better only after loads of treatment and shes still as skinny as a stick! please can you e-mail me an adress for a pro-ano website so i can check it out and im going to sign up to loads of petitions thnx. ps i dont mind if you put this on your site so people can be shocked xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
i sooo want to be anorexic!!!!!!!!!!! can you show me a site plzzzzzzzzzz luvs ya
Hey yall-I was really relieved to have heard about this site from my psychology teacher, actually, haha, because the only talk about anorexia and bulimia is negative; i mean, not that it’s a GOOD thing but it’s definitely not a bad thing, you know. i’ve been bulimic for a little over a year now and I couldn’t be happier. My metabolism has sped up, thanks to my addiction to energy drinks, and whenever I over indulge or eat outside a meal or just pretty eat, I purge and it feels so much better; ja it’s kinda gross, but hey, it’s worth it in the end, in my opinion. I’m not saying everyone go do it, because i don’t want that for yall-this just happens to work for me and i feel like i need to talk about it to get it off my shoulders because everyone around me shuns the idea and there is no way i could talk to my family or friends about it. at least to the extent it’s approached in my life.
I am 13 years old and anorexic but when my gay mom makes me eat i throw it up so im also belemic, some people at my school realize when they come to my house and see that i don’t eat. But all you girl and guys out there that do it im there for ya cause i understand. Love always
I don’t even know where to begin…Okay. So my sister 8 years ago got anorexic. It was her and this “friend” from school, they got into it together. So I was reading some posts and see people saying, “if you don’t like them then don’t look into them!” , sure fair enough. But this does NOT work in this case. In this case, my sister was the one that looked up the sites, and with the encouragement, tips, thinspirational pictures she managed to go anorexic. So okay I didn’t look up the site, but my sister did, and she put me and my entire family through hell!!!! No one knows what I went through to watch my sister wither away with the disease. IN her frantic despartions, putting extra butter in my food, giving me her food, throwing her food out. Desperate attempts to fatten up, while she slowly withered. Her large innocent eyes going, “yes I did eat! C’mon get off my back, stop it, your worrying for nothing!!!” was SOO frusterating!!! It was a NITEMARE, where i screamed the loudest and she would still not hear me. The people at there that are anorexic will never see this side, the side to the people around you, that CARE about you.
I am not putting anorexics down, my heart goes at to all of you. Only because I know its a mental illness, hard to cure. And you may think, through the illness that these sites are wonderful, and they are great because there are people there that understand you… but they are just there for encouragement. You have to understand that its a life threatening problem, and a place to go where people can realate to the same problems, and where TRUE help is provided, maybe a psychiatrist.
Its now been 8 years since my sister has “recovered”… that can’t even be the word used, because til this day she still suffers. She will NEVER fully recover from her illness. To this day she will still make me eat more chocolate than she, she’ll wake up at 5 to go to the gym, but she’ll tell me she got up 6.30. I know shes lying.. shes a big girl now and can look after herself, but she will never, ever recover, and I, never will stop worrying about her and the illness.
The sites should be banned. People who have the illness say they shouldn’t, people without say the should! Thats obvious, but do they realize that we want them banned for their best interest, and to maybe even save their lives?
I am 20 years and have had anorexia for about 6 years. I believe in freedom of speech. Pro-ana websites do NOT make people with an eating disorder any sicker. In fact if you will see some pro-ana sites with a recovery sections. It’s not a cult, it’s not trying to kill anyone. It’s simply a place were women AND MEN can go and feel some sort of sanity and where people can talk to someone who knows the pain and torture we have to endure day after day. Most people who want to go seek help often can’t because their health insurance won’t cover it or they simply don’t have any insurance. So please, to those trying to shut down pro-ana sites, why don’t you try to figure out a solution for free recovery and/or therapy for those really wanting help. Also when you say “Just eat a cheeseburger or something!” You really are not helping you think beef and cheese will make it all better? HA! Newflash! It makes it worse.
I believe in freedom of speech, and in the right to write (and read) about anything we want, for that exchanging of information is what internet is all about.
The problem here doesn’t lay in the possibility of some 13 year old girl visiting a ‘pro-ana’ site by chance and instantly becoming anorexic, for that is completely unrealistic and shows exactly how little they know of the illness itself; but in the fact that a 13 year old girl can be found surfing the net unsuervised. I am fairly sure that if her parents guided and explained things to her while she used the computer, these things would not be drawn to out attention.
Censor your screens, people, not out nets. And check the facts behind the myths about anorexia while you’re at it.
I don’t think “Pro-Ana” websites should be shut down.
1. free. speech. is. our. constitutional. right.
2. these people already have major issues, the sites don’t CAUSE or SPREAD anorexia. they all make it quite clear that they do not want people “becoming” “anorexic.”
these websites don’t hurt anyone. they simply allow people with problems to unite and feel better and less alone about what they’re doing with themselves.
*takes a deep breath* excuse me while I attempt to digest that heap of *badly written* shit. Firstly I’d like to compliment you on joining the contradiction, congratulations you hypocritical self-cantered fool. I love the image that you’re trying to promote. ‘Here is an advertisement of what not to advertise’. Oh and’If you are in recovery or are currently struggling with an eating disorder, please don’t check these out; they could be very triggering’ oh my look at all the lives you’ve just saved.
Get it through your thick skull, you can’t complain about these sites and then PROMOTE them. I’m sorry didn’t you realise that’s what advertising does? I don’t care what your position is whether you are in support of, or opposition of the so called ‘pro-ana movement’ it does not suffice. I hope you too feel guilty for the ‘young boys and girls that visit this site and ‘catch’ anorexia’ as you claim happens…you’ve just contributed to what you are so vengefully against…tell me how does it feel to be a hypocritical twisted person?? Because I’m failing to understand the difference between what you’re half-heartedly opposing and in turn yourself promoting…
I’m struggling to believe that you’ve actually suffered from the ‘disease’ yourself, how could anyone be that stupid to unwarily refer to themselves in sumary as an idiot, oh, oh and fail to grasp the entire concept about this ‘disease’. Just a few pointers sweetie…firstly may I point out how you yourself said that you were glad that you didn’t grow up in the same society with the internet and the exposure to such ‘dangerous’ sites, yet, you still managed to ’suffer from this disease’ hum interesting…so it’s possible to actually have difficulties and to form such a disease rather than learn how to ‘become’ anorexic. It’s not my problem nor the people’s that run/visit/participate in these sites, that you uneducated ignorant people think that you can just ‘catch’ anorexia off the internet, yet ye are the one’s that underline how it is a disorder and not a lifestyle choice (meaning ye are the one’s that support the notion that you can’t just decide to become anorexic, so do us a favour and at least try to understand where you’re coming from before you attempt to try and understand anything else…ok?) same to those people out there that think that people brainwashed by a thin-obsessed society just think ‘oh I must visit a pro-ana site and in turn become anorexic’ it is not as simple and shallow as that (how dare you!) and I’m sorry that YOUR shallow minds can’t digest that, to complex for ya? Then do us all a favour and keep your nose out of where it does not belong! People don’t go looking for something for no apparent reason, they either already have anorexia, or like a good lot of you are sadistic ignorant twisted people that get some weird pleasure out of picking on others. Go get a life, you pathetic people.
And just so that we’re clear, I’d like to state a few other things. A) sometimes people actually suffer from emotional problems that lead them to an eating disorder, like people who suffer from bed or coe and are obese, I don’t hear you attacking ‘them’…It’s not as shallow as you offensive stupid people make it out to be. B) men also suffer from anorexia, if you’ve failed to notice from lack of research and understanding. C) the whole world does not revolve around blood fucking America, for crying out loud North America aside (the continent usa is in, yes it’s not even a continent, never mind a planet) there are six other continents do you think in comparison we really give a fuck? You’re not the only ones that fall victim to eating disorders, so your stats are bullshit. We’re not all as celebrity-obsessed and shallow as you make out your beloved home and people to be. And D) ’succumb’ excuse you? Your quite patronising for someone who has ‘fallen victim to such a disastrous disease’ you really need to get over yourself. May I also put out there that those people that ‘create’ these pro ana sites are no different and no lesser deserving of your piteous-ness than everyone else, they too suffer, they’re the exact same as everyone else.
Last but not least, the people that are in dire need for taking responsibility are not the people that are anyway involved in these sites you people that want to steer clear of it. I have no pity for any mother or father who is angered that their young children have apparently ‘fallen prey’ to anorexia that blames these pro-ana sites. My number one question is why the hell are they allowed such unmodified access to the internet? YOU are the one to blame for whatever they are exposed to (which include a lot worse things than ‘pro ana’ like porn, pro-suicide, evil terrorist killing sites *which I’ve come across more than once*) shame on YOU.
I for one won’t stand for such bullying, I’m fitting back, and I’ll do everything in my power to win. Go focus your unwanted attention on something else, like making friends.
Hi,
I would just like to respond to Jessica Thomas who says that “its our bodies, we can do what we want with them.” I would like to point out that this is nothin less than an argument for the right to commit suicide as well as assist in suicides, as this is exactly what the creators of the pro-anorexia websites do. Tips on how to starve oneself to death is certainly assisted suicide, when you consider that anorexia is not only potentially fatal, but has one of the highest mortality rates of any disease.
Pro-ana websites encourage people (especially women and girls) to destroy themselves, plain and simple. To defend anorexia as a lifestyle choice is absolutely hypocritical; most of the women who would defend anorexia like this would certainly be able to see that defendin, for example, the right to commit murder or the right to molest children or the right to sell cocaine is absolute evil, destructive beyond measure, but because of their deep-seated desire to starve themselves to death, they are unable to see pro-anorexia websites in this light, what they really are.
To all women who suffer from anorexia, just know that there are people in your life who love you, who desperately want you to recover, and that those people suffer immensely when they see you as thin as a stick. Force the food down if you have to, and don’t think of yourself as a helpless victim: you CAN choose to eat.
Best Wishes,
Noah
Hi there. I designed an online community where people go to recover from pro-ana. It allows people to maintain the supportive friendship ties they are used to on the self-destructive sites, but our community does all it can to maintain a pro-actively positive voice. You are more than welcome to check us out - membership is free.
*yawn** I’m glad we have pro ana sites, stupid fatasses deserve to b starved. Im ana an its better then being a complete ugli bucketass i wud nvr go bak soo shuttup cause we deserve our opinions to be heard too dum betch
I understand your concern, but free speech is a right, so people can express whatever they want to express. The responsibility is on the viewer; although there are always people who will be drawn in by things like this, people are getting more resistant to be lured in these days.