Pro mia websites that promote the eating disorder bulimia give individuals who are dangerously sick anorexia info.
Pro mia websites, which encourages bulimia, are becoming more and more common on the internet. These portals are for individuals who want to “choose” bulimia as a lifestyle, rather than a disease.
They replace traditional group support by offering these women and men a place to share their despair, weight and frustrations, while providing anorexia info. What they offer, instead of support to get better, is encouragement to stay sick.
Steve Bloomfield, the Eating Disorders Association's head of communications, said "The danger of these sites is that often young people with an eating disorder don't understand what is happening to them.
"The great danger is that the people who construct these sites often have no idea of the terrible medical complications that come- the danger of losing your fertility, of developing osteoporosis - for some people if you resist treatment.
"About one in five people who don't get appropriate treatment die prematurely, so they are literally killing people."
Even more dangerous are the chat rooms and discussion boards attached to these sites. In them, people ask each other what names of drugs they use to induce vomitting, tips on how to purge unnoticed, what celebrities to watch for “thinspiration” anorexia info, and advice on how to starve yourself without “giving in” to hunger.
Millions of young people, especially, log onto these pro mia sites and stay there because of the community they feel they have become a part of. What they don’t think about is the danger they’re doing to their health by treating their bodies as if they’re unworthy of food.
The distorted minset that these individuals are sharing with the public is scary. But can we ban these sites because they are harmful, or would we be crossing the line of freedom of speech?
The copyright of the article Pro Mia Websites Promote Eating Disorder Bulimia in Bulimia is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Pro Mia Websites Promote Eating Disorder Bulimia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
does anyone know what one of these websites are i have to write a
report for the school newspaper for the new awareness day
May 14, 2008 6:23 PM
Guest :
pro mia and pro ana sites are a community of people that suffer from eating
disorders and look to these sites for support...some sites are really
dangerous like those that offer tips that encourage bulimia and anorexia
but some are really helpful and informative and try to help people get
through their eating disorders
Jun 8, 2008 7:11 AM
Guest :
i agree with the second poster... some of the websites are dangerous but
nearly all of them will tell you that the site is only for those who
already struggle. looking at websites WILL NOT make you have an eating
disorder. eating disorders are an externalization of an internal battle.
having an eating disorder myself it helps to go to these sites and relate
to these girls (and sometimes guys) that think like i do. we made a
community and a support group, and we don't force rehabilitation which some
people have a problem with. the majority of us praise those who recover and
encourage them! some of us just aren't ready to let go yet... and its
unfair for an outsider to look in and judge us when they have no idea where
we are coming from.
Aug 22, 2008 2:54 PM
Guest :
I am disturbed about any pro eating disorder sites that give the food
addicted personality some comfort in their disorder. It disorder is
uncomfortable because it goes against any natural order for the body. It
offers justification in prolonging why a person does want or need help to
truely care for oneself and take responsiblity to change.
Dec 2, 2008 8:21 PM
Guest :
I really think only medical professionals should be leading support groups.
People who have the disorders often don't know and are only hurting
themselves by supporting those with bulimia. Who wants to eat and then
throw up. Food is meant to be enjoyed and God created each and every one
of you. God feels sad when you decide to destroy your bodies. enough said
stop and get professional help before you destroy you life.
Feb 10, 2009 9:50 PM
Guest :
Its not a lifestyle choice. People who really are suffering form the
disease either have it or dont. You cant catch anorexia. Those sites are
for people not ready for treatment, who need someone to talk relate to. It
can be a really hard thing to have only people who want u to recover, only
people who are going to judge you as your confidant. And its anonymous and
you feel understood and we all know we are sick. we know. But there are
people in those rooms who though arnt yet ready to accept real help, are
surviving the best they can day to day by feeling a part of a community
that can relate to their underlying issues. I didnt acknowledge that i had
an ed until i was able to speak with other people who were currently going
through my pain. Now I can name it and recognize it and admit it. And
that the first step.
Feb 24, 2009 7:09 AM
Guest :
even though i agree those type of people should get help but I tihnk that
banning the sitezs DOES go against the right to free speech. The people
that have constrructed these site aren't breaking any laws by posting a
website in the internet
Feb 12, 2007
