when people with EDs get angry at pro anas/mias for "giving them a bad name"

[pudgey2]

as if it's possile for an eating disorder to have a good name

[karlamorgan]

I think it's less about "a good name" and more about contributing to the common misconceptions about EDs (that you can just "go anorexic", have an ED for a week but "get over it", that anorexia is just a way to drop a few pounds, etc).

[fautsouffrirpouretrebelle]

I don't think it's necessarily them giving us 'a bad name', I think it's the fact that they tend to glorify a lifestyle that many of us view as terrible. why would you glorify self hatred, pain, and suffering?
for a while I felt like my Ed was the best thing that had ever happened to me, I was FINALLY losing weight.
but then the reality sank in, I'm killing myself. everyday that I keep doing this I am walking down the path of self destruction.
being anorexic or bulimic or any other classification of eating disordered is not pretty,
and it's not something to be made light of.
they make it look like it's some willy nilly disease you can pick up reading fashion magazines and watching tv.
it's not. it's a serious disorder that should be treated as such.
and the girls out there trying to hop on the eating disorder train, have no fucking idea what they could be getting themselves into.

[karlamorgan]

I don't think it's necessarily them giving us 'a bad name', I think it's the fact that they tend to glorify a lifestyle that many of us view as terrible. why would you glorify self hatred, pain, and suffering?
....
being anorexic or bulimic or any other classification of eating disordered is not pretty,

Exactly. Yeah, being curled over a toilet, your fingers stuck down your throat, your face covered in vomit from backsplash, that's real glamourous. Clumps of hair falling out. Losing your period and eventually the ability to have children. Hospital visits. Losing bowel control from laxative abuse. Avoiding social situations to avoid being around food (and thus losing friendships). Self hatred. Yup. Real awesome lifestyle.

[pudgey2]

But I've never actually seen somebody do or say that. Most of the pros I see just have calorie plans under 800, post thinspo, and have goal weights of around 100lb (give or take) posted. They say it's a lifestyle and not a disorder, but a lot of us probably thought that way before in the sense of having a "this is forever" mindset. I usually see anorexics looking down on these people and thinking that they aren't really sick but they forget that many of them were once like that... I just think they get more hate than they deserve *anime style sweatdrop*~*~**********

[HiLz]

I get angry at pro ana/mia's, because they make people think that genuine Anorexics and Bulimics are shallow and self centred and that all they think about is looking beautiful in a bikini for the sake of some stupid boy, which completely destroys the legitimacy of ED's being mental illnesses instead of ridiculous lifestyle choices whereby you can "Just stop" whenever you want.

[The Hatter]

But I've never actually seen somebody do or say that. Most of the pros I see just have calorie plans under 800, post thinspo, and have goal weights of around 100lb (give or take) posted. They say it's a lifestyle and not a disorder, but a lot of us probably thought that way before in the sense of having a "this is forever" mindset. I usually see anorexics looking down on these people and thinking that they aren't really sick but they forget that many of them were once like that... I just think they get more hate than they deserve *anime style sweatdrop*~*~**********

They glorify eating disorders most of the time and attempt to pass it off as a lifestyle choice. Being Eco-Friendly is a lifestyle choice, having an eating disorder isn't. Whether people are or aren't ready to recover, the "pro" propaganda is infuriating. Most of it though comes from the immature children that think "catching" an eating disorder is like trying on clothes at the mall. All of it's bullshit in the end, and anyone "pro" deserves every bit of the lashes they get from people like me who have suffered with an eating disorder for 10+ years.

[LittleFoot]

I don't hate them for giving me a bad name, they couldn't possibly do that. I actually don't even hate them, I think of them as mosquitoes for the most part.

As others have said, the dislike comes from their ignorance, superficiality, static character...oh, and the fact that people with EDs (and not forced/developed ones, which becomes a whole other issue) are generally pretty bright, but the people who decide to be pro are generally on the dumber side of that crowd.

I feel no sympathy for them. They feel no sympathy for us, and they would see us, judge us, label us as fat (even weighing 125lbs) and compete with us.

FOR THE RECORD, IF YOU ARE NOT IN RECOVERY OR ARE NOT READY TO DO IT, AND "WANT" YOUR ED RIGHT NOW, THAT IS >>NOT<< WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT BEING IN RECOVERY ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AND PROMOTING THE IDEA THAT EATING DISORDERS ARE A GOOD THING.

[ItLiesHeavy]

I agree that its mostly the fact that they trivialize a dangerous illness that comes with a lot of suffering and make it appear to be something of a choice instead of a real disease.

[Docile]

I somewhat understand the frustration that comes with seeing someone play dress with your issues. I've had severe depression for 11 years now and it is a bit annoying seeing young people cutting or calling themselves "depressed" just to get a pill or to look cool and different around their friends. Which I've seen a lot of while hospitalized. Still, I know these are children who are immature and should be expected to act as such so I don't purposefully belittle them. At the same time there are 10 year olds who really do have a mental illness. I should know I was one of them and it wasn't about looking cool.
I was trapped in a dark mind that was obsessed with self destruction.

I do take issue with people who think they have the right to insult others. You don't know jackshit about someone simply from what they post on a forum. To say this person is a wannabe because they talk about dieting is foolish and more childish than so called wannarexics. An eating disorder can definitely develop from dieting and actively engaging in eating disordered behavior is completely expected when you have an ED. Just remember to ask a professional and not Wiki. It seems the common thought on this site is its okay to take my anger/frustration out on everyone else. It's not and its never going to be. You are responsible for how you express your feelings. An eating disorder is a behavior that expresses your feelings. It's up to you to control and change those feelings or let those feelings dictate your actions (restricting, purging etc). It's the same for dealing with wannarexics. Sure you feel annoyed and mocked but you have to put your big girl panties on and control your reaction towards these people. Do not forget they are people too and deserve the same respect as every other idiotic human being. People should not have to be criticized for their behavior/thoughts because you're suffering from the same behaviors/ thoughts.

Some people with eating disorders know they have a problem and can view their ED as a foe while others still believe its the only thing that makes them worthwhile. Neither is wiser, more mature or more real. Unfortunately these are the people who are called wannarexics. I'm not a medical professional but I would bet 95% of WE's members do have serious issues and aren't just kiddies trying to lose weight. When you call someone a wannarexic, you are assuming you know them personally which you don't. Trust me I am sorry you feel like these wannas are mocking you and making you look shallow to "normal" people. One thing you're going to have to learn is other peoples opinions of you do not matter one little bit. Believe me when I say normal people will most definitely judge you. It is absurdly abnormal to starve yourself for any reason. People will judge you it is human nature just get over it and move on. If you aren't mature enough yet to understand all this I have no idea how you think you can judge someone else.


For those who are being labeled wannarexics and flamed in threads..I think you should try to be understanding to the psychological storm that brews when some of these guys hear you speak of something they have been fighting for years in a positive, mambe pambe light. It's a misconception that eating disorders are a choice. It is actually something that has a cocktail of complex causes including environmental factors, genetic makeup and mental illness. Many people suffering from eating disorders never even knew there was a word to describe their behavior. In addition many do not engage in these behaviors for weight loss. They don't feel beautiful when they reach 90lbs. All they know is they are gross, disgusting, empty beings who will never be good enough regardless of how much they weigh. Happy, popular and beautiful are words an an eating disordered person can't feel even if you think they are gods for fitting into those size 0 jeans. When they look in the mirror all they see is worthlessness.

So when you say you're choosing to be anorexic for weight loss or to look beautiful, its pretty upsetting because it makes it seem as if all eating disordered sufferers are choosing to engage in these behaviors for superficial reasons. Criticizing you is actually their way of demanding respect of an illness they feel they have no control over. It's not really personal so don't take it as such. The best way to deal with it is ignoring it. You probably have an eating disorder if you are engaging in disordered eating for any reason whether that be for self destruction or weight loss, even if you feel that this is a choice you made. When someone refers to you as a wannarexic you can let them know that although you may have different reasons or views on disordered eating, you are no different from them. Once you've said this you can ignore anything else they have to say.

If you think you want an eating disorder I understand you think being anorexic or bulimic is a quick weight loss solution and I understand its not really the disorder you're attracted to but the illusion it gives off. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be thin but there is a big difference between being anorexic and being thin. People who are naturally thin are not nutritionally deprived so they have a healthy glow and appearance that makes them attractive. Same as those who are not necessarily thin but still attractive. People with eating disorders have a skewed view of reality. They are not healthy in mind and it shows through their bodies. It is not simply a matter of restricting until you lose x amount of pounds. That's dieting. An eating disorder is a disease of the mind that manifests on the body. The body is distorted and manipulated until it is destroyed. Its not attractive by any means. There is no glow, no beauty and no life. It will not make you beautiful, popular or happy. On the contrary you will be quite ugly, miserable alone and eventually dead. If you still want an eating disorder after reading this you most likely have a mental illness and should seek professional help immediately.