Eating Disorder ProAna Blogger Focused on Body Image and Self Esteem

This is an image from a Tokyo Fashion Magazine.

Fact or Fiction?

Photoshopped or Real?

Does it really even matter either way?

The fact is it is in print, and therefore it is real. The image exists, and the message is clear, isn’t it girls.

2008 is off to a great frickin’ start.

-mamaV

Taken from: Numéro Tokyo Magazine (February 2008 issue)
Photo: René Habermacher and Jannis Tsipoulanis

Commenter Anne dared me to post about this story so I couldn’t resist. Although I am not sure why this required such a dare, because this story is old news

NEWS FLASH: Stop blaming models, stars, media – blame your genes.

Here’s a brief on what The Times Online article has to say:

Anorexia may be caused by inherited differences in the way a sufferer’s brain operates, leading to obsessive behaviour, according to research. Rather than being triggered by images of super-thin models and celebrities, the eating disorder could be brought on by the in-built way in which the brain responds to pleasure and reward. It has been argued that images of unhealthily thin stars in the media have encouraged anorexic behaviour in impressionable young women. But a study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that the brains of anorexia sufferers behave differently to those of the rest of the population and that certain people are born with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

Snore….huh? I’m up here’s a brief on my perspective;

Genes can play a role in anorexia, agreed. I wholeheartedly support any and all efforts to provide these anorexia sufferers with treatment for their disease. This blog is not aimed at that audience. I write to a whole other segment of the population. The young girls and women that tune into “Nip and Tuck” and can’t wait for ANTM (if you don’t know what that stands for, good, you are on the right track).

One can not ignore the overwhelming evidence of cultural and societal influence, a few of the best reports on the other side of this story can be read here;

Dove Global Study: print this thing out and read it. It’s sad as hell. For the record, I am beautiful and not afraid to admit it or say it or be it or think it (psst…Dove is owned by Evil Unilever. My vote? Who cares).

More common than Alzheimer’s:yet insurance stinks. 5-10 Million affected by eating disorders in the US alone. Research funding totals a whopping $1.20 per sufferer (we all need another Gucci bag after all).

You’ve got to live in the US of A to get it, but we are a country obsessed. Forget Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, we Binge, Purge & Lipo 24/7 in this country. There is no way in hell we are going to spend money to actually figure out why we are all eating disordered – it’s a lifestyle babe.

Been there, done that: Fashion Designers control the sizes. The chic sizes are currently 0, and 00. I am waiting for the negative sizes to make their debut (ie. -3, now that would be rad).

1980′s SuperModels

1990 SuperModel…better known now as ”lard ass.”

2000 SuperModel…way the hell too fat for runway now.

2006 SuperModel…rexy figure maintained by coke on the rocks.

2006-2007 SuperModels….dead.

Yep, all in the genes.

-mamaV

I am a bit behind the news these days due to job constraints, but I figured you would all like a chance to comment on the latest celebrity reaction to the dreaded, EVIL CELLULITE SAGA.

Former beauty, turned lard ass Jennifer Love Hewitt defends herself against the legal stalkers who snapped her images during a vacation to Hawaii, stating for the record her ”size 2 is not fat!”

Not sure what her size has to do with the argument, by hey, she tried. She also posted a nice message on her blog to all of us fellow porkers to “stay strong.”

My bet is Jennifer Love turns up about 30 pounds lighter a few months from now. Would you blame her? Who the hell could take this kind of heat? Not I.

Let’s discuss cellulite for a moment. Why do we fight it? Why is it deemed so bad, ugly and horrid? Who decided this? There is no cream, lipo, or other bullshit treatment that is going to get rid of it – so let it go and live your damn life already ladies.

Just $30 of your hard earned money will get you this con job in a jar by Sephora, the beauty marketing geniuses dedicated to stealing you blind.

Even when I was a bone, I still had it. Trust me, it was there. Now that I am a normal weight, still there, don’t care.

Be friend your damn cellulite already and move on for gods sake. I have spent the last two summers at Girl Scout Camp, pleading with the other mom’s to hop in the pond with me and the troop. They always claim one excuse or another, as they sweat to death in the sun, all while their eyes tell me their real story.

They are scared. Scared of their cellulite. Scared of what others will think. Scared to be called the F-word.

This saddens me deeply, because I know all they are missing. Worse yet, I know the message being sent to the girls – hide your body, its ugly and fat.

I hope for you, your day of freedom comes soon. The day that you catch a glimpse of your rear in the mirror, and smile, is a glorious awakening.

It’s all for naught,

mamaV

Size 0 is now available in pill form! Just pop one, I mean four, of these little beauties a day and you too can look like a zombie runway model.

This simply fabulous breakthrough secret is contained in a dainty little black box, with the answer to happiness  plastered front and center just in case you forgot that anything above a size zero is, well, eeewwww.

Brought to you by your friendly mall vitamin store GNC, the leaders in converting lard asses nationwide, into “Hot, Radiant, Alluring, Elegant & Beautiful” creatures.

Just a few silly warnings, pay no mind:

Not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18 (but what about my 10 year old daughter who is dieting with me?)

Consult with a physician prior to, during and after use (I’ll get right on that)

If you are taking any prescription medication or have any medical condition (wait, that eliminates 99% of the population) 

If you have been treated for or diagnosed with, or have a family history of, any medical condition including, but not limited to:high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, peptic and gastric ulcers, cardiac arrhythmia, renal disease, hyperthyroidism, spasms, glaucoma, psychiatric disease, psychological conditions, anxiety, depression, nervousness, seizure disorder, stroke, angina, diabetes, asthma, suffer from migraines, are allergic to tyramine or chocolate or sensitive to the effects of caffeine (that eliminates the other 1% of us)

Do not take in conjunction with any supplement or over-the-counter drug containing ephedrine alkaloids, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine or any stimulants. One serving of this product contains approximately as much caffeine as two cups of coffee (catch a buzz off the stuff simultaneously, I like it).

Do not use if you have a history of drug use. Do not use with alcohol (I’m out)

Do not use during high intensity activities in high temperature conditions (exercise not allowed.)

Discontinue use and consult a physician immediately if you experience any of the following: nervousness, sleeplessness, dizziness, cardiac irregularities or rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, tremors, nausea, chest pain, tingling sensations, behavioral changes, loss of consciousness, or other similar symptoms (any one still alive?)

NOTE: The product name Size 0 does not depict the amount of weight loss or clothing size goals that will be achieved with use of this product. Individual results will vary depending of body type and fitness goals.

Manufactured Exclusively for Size 0 Labs
3133 Fortune Way Suite #4 (nice address)

Well, since this one won’t do the trick for me, I’ll pop some “clen.”

Never heard of it? Get with the program man, they’ve been vaccinating horses with it for years.

We are one desperate bunch ladies, and I don’t see any light at the end of this tunnel.

mamaV

Pro anorexia sites are running rampant. We must shut them down quickly and swiftly to save society!

Microsoft steps in and shuts down pro anorexia sites, without a court order. YouTube and Facebook are under the microscope too.

What genius is still beating on this dead drum? 

Don’t tell anyone…but it takes about 5 minutes to set up a new site…hehe…the pro ana’s have their sites back up and running before you can blink. 

Even more scary is there is no logic to this madness.  I overuse this phrase, but I like it; nothing like sticking your head in the sand. And since everyone got really fired up the last time I posted this picture, let’s post it again just for shits and giggles. 

A few stats, which are growing as I type this: 

Google “pro ana” to view over 5 million results

YouTube “thinspiration” hauls in well over 5000 full length videos, a total of 8 uploaded TODAY.

ProAnaThinspo is just an unbelieveable mashup of thin bodies, body parts, stars and real girls that will blow your mind.

How about we face reality think about what the hell we have created here.

On second thought, that sounds like a lot of time and energy. Let’s stick with ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ it’s a lot more convenient, plus I have a lot of shit to buy before Christmas.

-mamaV

Since Pro Ana Privacy is the most visited post these days, I figured it was time for another go around. Especially since I can really feel the love in the comments.

For what it’s worth; I heard a story on the radio that I wanted to share.

A talented young woman recently applied for a job just after she graduated from college. A dream job really, everything she ever wanted. Mom and Dad were so proud.

Little did she know that some pictures that she uploaded to the web many years prior would come back to haunt her.

One in a bikini.
Several in her underwear.

One doing a frickin’ back-bend in her undies.

Not good. No job. Worst of all? No way to remove them – ever.

This thing is permanent girls. It’s called the world wide web and once you CHOOSE to serve yourself up for the taking, you are gone, your privacy is gone, and your future opportunities are at stake.

Think about it next time you want to ask one of your dear ana friends “Do I look fat?”

-mamaV

Hila weighed 60 pounds. My 7 1/2 year old daughter weighs 50.

A fashion model stricken with an all too familiar disease of anorexia. But this time, a friend was at her side. Adi Barkan documented Hila’s struggle, and sent shock waves out to the fashion world, by showing the reality of this situation in one still photograph.

Fashion photographer Adi Barkan is shown cradling Hila Elmalich in a still from a video shot when the model fell ill. (Gil Sadan/Tamar Golan Film)

There’s not much more to say here. Either the fashion industry is going to step up to the plate and make changes, or they are going to continue on their merry way in this deadly game they are playing.

You know what I thought when I saw this photograph?

How, for the love of god, can one be a part of an industry so full of themselves? How do you sit in an audience and stare up at these young women who are clearly not well, and focus on the clothing? Why do clothes, and prestige, and beauty mean this much in our society?

Bless Mr. Barkan’s heart for leading the effort in Israel to change fashion standards for the past three years. Your friend will not die in vain, she will be with you as you carry on in her name.

-mamaV

Diabetic young women are playing Russian roulette with their health, according to Ann Goebel-Fabbri, Ph.D., a psychologist at Joslin Diabetes Center and Behavioral and Mental Health Unit in Boston.

1 out of 3 women with Type 1 Diabetes engage in this dangerous behavior known as “diabulimia,” or underdosing their prescribed insulin shots in order to drop that ungodly weight. 

The risk of losing limbs, eyesight – or their life doesn’t stop the behavior.

Not surprising since we have created a culture that has made F-A-T a four letter word.  What scares me most about this story is that I can relate to it. I remember not caring one bit about the damage I was doing to my body.  If someone had said to me;

“Are you willing to give up your right leg to be thin?”

My response? A resounding YES.

 I had my eye on the prize, and I was laser focused. The goal: to trim every inch of fat off my already skeletal frame in order to be “perfect.”

I’ve got news for you – there is no perfect. Perfect never arrives.

Never was I more miserable than when I was a “beautiful, young Paris model,” the one so admired. As the pounds shed away, so did my self confidence. 

I no longer felt pretty, or happy, or funny, or anything- I felt like crap, day in and day out because I was starving myself to death to look good for other people.

The other reason this story saddens me is because I know this much is true; this is one lesson that can’t be taught.

You must live it, to get it.

-mamaV

Hugo Boss is a great bad example of current fashion designers utilizing men that are waaayyyy to thin. Thin enough to be anorexic? Maybe.

I’ve shy-ed away to delving into the men’s side of eating disorders, because I didn’t feel like I knew much about their side of the story, but when you get right down to it we are all the same, aren’t we?

Men have reached out to me in the past asking me to address pro anorexia from their point of view, but it was not until I cracked open Vanity Fair at the gym earlier this week that the reality sunk in. I discovered male models really have morphed into the same way-t0-skinny-to-be-healthy female model counterparts.

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRy-BOerHk]

The other aspect of this style that I don’t get is femininity, I suppose this is what is coined ‘metro-sexual.’ I don’t buy it and it makes me ill to this we’ve got men now going down this sickly lifestyle path.

Who’s next on the anorexia super highway?

Children.

-mamaV

 We’ve created quite a little research pool here. The way this community picks apart topics, and analyzes issues is truly commendable. I don’t know about you, but I am still smiling about it, and I am passionate about heading into Year 2 as mamaV.  

I look forward to seeing who is saying what, who is pissed at me today, and what you all believe to be life’s truths. Why? Because it challenges our minds, our thoughts, and opinions. Between you and I, I am one of the most wishy washy people you’d ever meet (stop laughing panda07).

Give me a great debate on a topic and I am most easily swayed. In my personal and business life, I give people WAY too many chances, and I am optimistic to a fault. This personality trait has gotten me burned time and time again, but I keep doing it. I am just wired this way.

BUT, there are a few topics in life I am stone cold set on. It is this side of mamaV you see here and these topics drive the passion behind this blog. 

In the past year, one topic that continually gets debated with great passion is;

WHAT THE HELL IS PRO ANA ANYWAY?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJmuOPzqcs]

To tell you the truth, sometimes the discussions get my head spinning so much, I really couldn’t tell you. But at the end of the day I always come back to this;

If you are looking for support, don’t lean on others with your same problem.

Trust me, this path is bad news.

I just don’t buy it, and no amount of tongue lashing has torn me away from this opinion. Why girls, for the love of God, would you think that when you have an eating disorder, the direction to head for support is to a bunch of eating disordered women?

You’ll sink deeper.

Faster.

Guaranteed.

Kristi4 is an example of this and her journal serves a very important purpose. Her life message is plain and simple – don’t turn to pro ana forums for support, instead run, as fast as you can, in the other direction. I have refused to edit what I have written about her, much to Josie’s dismay, because I know in my heart I have written this out of kindness, not hatred.

I’ve read Kristi’s journal too many times to count, and I am always left with the same impression. Here was a young woman (she was young, only in her 30′s) trying to lead a pro ana “support” community. Although she was surrounded by others in her same situation, she felt alone, depressed and ultimately suicidal. I can’t help but think if she would have turned outside for help that she may still be here today.

This topic gets to the core of why I do this blog, to create forum for discussion, inspiration, and thoughts beyond your eating disorders. There is a whole life out there waiting for you and I am fighting like hell to help you find it.

So if you find yourself part of the pro ana “support” community, I’d like to know this…..as Dr. Phil would say “How’s it workin’ for ya?”

-mamaV

(Team Rust in action)

Check out this cool film made by three sisters, shot, edited and created in in less than 24 hours! These high school girls submitted their entry into the Insomnia Film Festival sponsored by Apple.

A Waist of Life shows how fashion influences eating disorders, a point I continually reinforce and support.

(Read the covers closely)

Click here to view A Waist of Life and cast your vote to support the film.

Bravo Rust Sisters,

-mamaV

A child is one of life’s most precious gifts. As a mother of two, I simply can not understand or accept how a mother could possibly decide to live the “anorexic lifestyle” or be “pro ana.”

Does it get anymore vain and selfish than this?

Live Journal has quite a growing bunch of mothers who share their pro anorexic lifestyle stories, right out there for the world to see, as if this is something to be proud of. 

318 members

302 watchers

They carry on as if this is a game, all the while their children suffering in the background, as seen in this lovely post;

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME
I CANT HOLD FOOD IN MY STOMACH ANYMORE EVEN THE KIDS R ASKING QUESTION
MOM U R ALWAYS BARFING

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO YOUR KIDS IN A SITUATION LIKE MINE
I HATE MYSELF
I THOUGH I WAS FOOLING EVERYONE I GUESS NOT

Kids are keen. They are intuitive. They do not miss a beat, even at just a few years of age they sense what is going on in the household.

When you are able to give birth to a child, and that child is happy and healthy, I don’t think there is much more one can ask for in life. From that day forward, our job as mothers is to protect that child. Provide them with a secure, balanced, positive enviroment  to grow and to thrive, and to become the person they desire to be.

There is no way in hell a mother can be pro ana, and be a healthy positive influence on her child. It’s impossible. These women who are are CHOOSING this selfish, dangerous, vain lifestyle shouldn’t be parents. I believe if a social worker were to see their online behavior, their parental ability would be in jeopardy.

For the past year, I have read countless stories from courageous young women who post here with their horror stories about their own mothers. They tell how their mothers influenced their own beauty and body image, they express details on their recollection of a childhood filled with negativity towards food, and their mothers constantly warning them not to eat for they too would fall victim to the dreaded fat. They reveal hurt feelings about their mother’s who were more concerned about themselves, than for them or their other siblings.

If your mother is one of these individuals, you need to know this, and believe this. Make it your mantra.

It is not your fault. It is not about you. Your mother was a selfish person before you were born, and she will continue to be this selfish person as you grow and recover from your eating disorder.

Let her be your great bad example. Let her be the person you think of when you think of what you never want to be.

And when the glorious, life changing day comes, when you are given the gift of a child you will understand the depth of love a real mother should have and want nothing more then for your child to live a happy, healthy life providing them with nothing but unconditional love.

Please feel free to share your personal story of your mother. Was she a positive influence on your beauty and body image? Or did she contribute to you low self esteem and/or eating disorder?

Let these pro ana Mom’s know what they are doing to their kids, maybe a few of them will head our advice and get their head screwed on straight.

-mamaV

Mother daughter image credit: Julie Harris

Time for Halloween ladies! Be the life of the party at your neighborhood get together when you arrive in this fun, new costume inspired by the millions suffering with eating disorders! 

Introducing “Anna Rexia!”

Skeleton Costume includes Knit Dress with Glitter Screenprint, Headband, Choker Neckband, Removable “Anna Rexia” Badge and Ribbon Tie Belt, all yours for just $42.95!

 Are you frickin’ kidding me? Our demented society continually gets off on making fun of eating disorders, and there are all too many pathetic, vain women out there just waiting to peel this thing on for Halloween desparate to be “rexy” for their male admirers.

If this is your costume for choice this Halloween, get the hell out of my way, because if I catch you strutting your stuff in this you’ll be flattened in 10 seconds or less.

-mamaV

Thanks to tipster Liz who discovered this story here Complex.com 

An Iowa researcher is studying a little-known eating disorder that some doctors may miss: purging disorder.

Though similar to women with bulimia, patients who fit this description don’t binge-eat. Yet they feel compelled to purge, usually by vomiting, even after eating only a small or normal amount of food, said Pamela Keel, the University of Iowa researcher who led a study on the subject.

Visit any pro ana board to see the purging disorder in action, such as this young woman freaking out, asking her cohorts if its ok she ate broccoli……it’s broccoli for goodness sake.

I think we have now just become so completely disordered in our eating habits we don’t even know what is “normal” anymore. No need to really binge to feel guilty, eat just a handful of grapes and its time to let it fly since pro ana’s have made eating a sin.

Keel clearly recognizes this is not a new phenomenon, stating “purging disorder is new in the sense that it has not been officially recognized as a unique condition in the classification of eating disorders. But it’s not a new problem, women were struggling with purging disorder long before we began studying it.”

On the plus side, this is a big step in terms of insurance coverage, since a new classification for purging disorders will bring with it treatment options previously not available. 

Final note, the most interesting part of the study was the comparison made on cholecystokinin, the chemical in our bodies that make us feel full when eating. Women with bulimia has less of this chemical, women with purging disorder had more of this chemical, triggering a feeling of fullness.

This adds validity to the study, and shows the existence of a chemical reason some women actually feel “too full” after eating, but I can’t help but wonder how much of this is psychological.

-mamaV

Finally, a non-thinspo song.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=y7WftHIC2Aw]

I’ll say it in a sentence: Anyone who glamorizes anorexia, or any eating disorder for that matter, I will chew to shreds.

Whether it be a be a drug-addicted model, or a wannarexic posting on a lame pro anoreaxia blog – it’s no holds barred.  I am on a mission here, and I make not apologies if I offend.

You girls proved my sad point for me through your comments on my first post on Kate Moss, and my anger on her ignorantly calling herself “rexy.”

Not only are you unable to see your own natural beauty, you are unable to see Kate Moss’ ugliness because desirable thin frame is in your face.

“I would die for her bony legs,” says Kristin.

“This post makes me sad, I love Kate Moss,” says Danielle.

Do you know who’s legs I want? MINE. Yes, my 38 year old mom legs with a little cellulite here and there, along with few a “honorable” bruises from wrestling with my 4 year old boy Sid.

I want to get you to a place that you want nothing more than your self.

What is there to LOVE about Kate Moss? Let’s back up. Once there was a young beauty named Kate, who had the world by the ass. She was admired by millions and had an overflowing bank account, of which she has likely pissed away on heroin and cocaine. All the while, her little daughter Lily stands in the background, watching her mother chase her drugs and druggy boyfriend.

As her mother makes a fool of herself on a daily basis, the world continues to flock around her. Mom is busted snorting a line, no matter, she will still smile for our cameras because we are determined to not let her go. Her face is admired and desired throughout the world because she is oh-so-rexy.

Drug problem? Kate’s problem- and her daughters. Not yours, not mine. Do I hope she is able to beat it? Of course. Kate is a lost soul.

But she is a lucky one, she has more resources available for help then any one of us could ever hope for, so hopefully she will come to a place within herself that she is able to get cleaned up.

Why did not one of you mention her daughter Lily? She celebrated her 3rd birthday by herself while her mom sits in rehab only to run back to this clown. Do you realize what that does to a kid?

As a mom, I know this much. Your children need you, each and every day. Actually, every second. You need to be aware, alert, and ready to serve their needs. If you do not put yourself aside those first few precious years, and provide them with unconditional love……well, I don’t need to tell you what can be the result.

I once chased a druggy boy too. It took me about 6 years to rid myself of him, only after I sat around smoking joints and doing way too many bongs with him, not to mention worrying my parents to death. At 17, I remember coming home from drug happy Paris, to my little midwestern hometown only to find all my high-school friends snorting lines on a mirror. I was pissed off that they didn’t have enough sense to walk away. I made a choice not to take it further. We make choices. Kate has made hers. Now she has a big hole to dig her self out of.

But all of this is really irrelevant to me because she can do whatever the hell she wants to…just don’t promote anorexia, or I am going to hammer you to my hearts content. Because day in and day out I am concerned with girls who are stuck. Stuck in their fear of fat.

-mamaV

Genius Moss describes her drug induced body image as “rexy.”

Rexy is the new ”anorexic and sexy.”

I believe Mossy came up with this brainstorm while snorting line #4, tuned into Comfortably Numb.

Upper thigh bruises…not so rexy.

Can we finally bid this chick farewell? She has been lingering around since my old modeling days back in the ’90s. She has missed the window of opportunity to go out on a high note, so let’s hope she goes out on an alive note.

Kate, you are trashy. Young girls cling to you for your REXY look, only god knows why. Do us all a favor and shut it down already.

Reality check:

SEXY

REXY

Case closed.

-mamaV

I need you to explain this whole ”trigger” thing to me.

Here is what I am hearing, not sure it is accurate, but here goes:

If I am proana, I am seeking to view and read materials which will trigger me to not eat, since my goal is to be thinner or anorexic. Thinspiration was born out of this idea right? Ok, this part I get.

If I have an eating disorder and I am working to recover, I am to avoid viewing and reading things which may trigger me to restrict, purge, or engage in some behavior which would be considered negative for my recovery goal.

Here’s where I get stuck issue. The world is a trigger.  

Hypothetical case in point; I am sitting in the LaGuardia airport writing this post, I glance up to see the dreaded magazine stand filled with thin beauties and perfect glistening bodies. I get up, walk away from the situation, only to walk right into a huge ass billboard for some broadway show with a half naked airbrushed babe…Miss Perfect Live. Turn the corner, and there’s girls everywhere waiting for planes. I scan them up and down, they are way skinny.

I now feel like shit about myself. I head to the restroom, try to avoid the full length mirror, but can’t resist. One glance at my legs, arms, stomach -it’s over. Negative thoughts start, I’m fat. I am a loser. I am not eating today. I need to work out.

Is this a realistic reinactment of what you girls go through? How the heck are you to avoid triggers in this world? It seems impossible to me.

More over, it doesn’t seem healthy, nor realistic. I mean, you’ve got to live in this world and learn how to deal with your ED, and yourself, and all the influences in your life.

Isn’t part of therapy to learn how to survive, learn how to accept yourself, learn mantras on what to tell yourself when you start slipping?

Help me get a grip on this concept please.

mamaV 

(image provided by http://flickr.com/photos/diezzo/)

 We have a semantics problem.

What does pro-anorexia even mean anymore? Who is responsible for starting this confusing term Pro-Anorexia? If anyone knows, please fill me in. 

I’d like to try to define the Pro-Anorexia Community for those who are looking to understand it, basically we have two very distinct groups: 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkld2HMk4UA]

ProAna Type 1 means you have an eating disorder, a mental disease, likley with a genetic component. The primary reason these individuals visit proana web sites is for support from other individuals with the same issues. They may or not be seeking recovery options. This is anorexia as we have traditionally known it, a cruel, disfiguring, mental disease.

ProAna Type 2 means you want to have an eating disorder and you are deliberately starving yourself for the body you aspire to. These individuals visit proana web sites for support from other “wannarexics”. Thinspiration images of models and hollywood stars are needed to keep their starvation motivation going, and when the individual breaks down and eats, they punish themselves incessantly due to their failure to restrict their diet.

These two types of proanas can be best be understood by watching the following videos, created by members of the groups themselves.

PARENTS: PLEASE STAY WITH ME HERE, THESE VIDEOS ARE HARD TO WATCH BUT PLEASE TAKE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

Type 1: Real Anorexia, every mother’s nightmare.

Here is the ProAnorexic point of view from the perspective of someone who is suffering to death from this mental illness. These individuals do not have control over their restricting behaviors, and there is likely genetic component to their disease. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsqAOSjGzc0]

Type 2 : “Wannarexia” or Social Anorexia.

This video depicts the point of view of an individual who wants to be anorexic because they desire the body type of an anorexic. They desire protruding bones because they see this look as the ultimate in beauty. They are willing to accept the consequences of starvation to achieve their desired body image. These individuals have control over their actions, at least when they start down this path, and are choosing to restrict their food intake.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE9D3ZFCjSI]

Either way, it ain’t pretty is it?

So, why do I care? How can I not. Wannarexics are the group I am honing in on. The fashion industry is pushing the right buttons with our girls, Wannarexics are gaining strength in numbers.

Won’t you join me?

mamaV

Big debate brewing over at LiveJournal (LJ) because the leaders of the community suspended 2 members and posted their Terms of Service (TOS) as a reminder to their members to follow the rules of the road.

You can read the TOS here, basically LJ is restating the law and reiterating the types of judgement calls they need to make when they delete posts or suspend a member for breaking the law as it pertains to online communication.

Here’s the main issues as far as I can tell:

1) ProAnas are threatened their boards will once again be shut down or be censored. LJ staff is doing the censoring, so the content that may be deleted is subject to their interpretation.  

I am 100% freedom of speech, regardless of harm in their words to their community, I believe the members should be allowed to express themselves, their tips, and tricks regardless of how sick to my stomach it makes me. If they think it, let it be out there for all to see, we can’t hide from reality.

If you do not agree, and you believe the proanorexia sites should be shut down, here is a petition you may join to do so.

2) The proanas that post the worst of the worst content on how to starve, tend to be highly arrogant, and this is hard to accept at times. 

As you read their journals its hard not to fear for their safety and the safety of the girls reading their posts…but bottomline for me is they are allowed to believe in the lifestyle they choose.

3) In my view, LiveJournal is attempting to limit their liability in the event the next person takes their own life via starvation or desparation. They are attempting to say “We do not support these starvation techniques, we are community to help you OUT of anorexia.”

The community may have started as a support forum, but as we all know too well, it has evolved into a death forum.  Let’s see how many death forums are out there; in my 5 minutes of intense googling this morning I stumbled upon:

271 “Pro Ana” Communities on LJ (couldn’t help but notice we now have ‘ana moms’ jumping onboard).

Wondering what the YouTuber’s are up to? Over 3300 videos out there for your viewing enjoyment.

Sure there are certain communities within LJ that are about support, such as those lead by King Josie;

For those seeking support under 16 years of age, go here

For those seeking support for your eating disorder stemming from mental illness, go here

Or try We Bite Back! 

However, it appears the vast majority are about the desire to starve and beat yourself up until you are as thin as Richie.  As LJ said themselves, “It’s not a crime to desire to be thin!”

Agreed. Your prerogative.

4) So why to I care? I consider it my job to expose this underground community to parents who are not paying attention to what their daughters are doing online.

I also am a voice of reason for those looking to get out of the ProAna community, a place where many have retreated to in order to escape the hell that is purposeful starvation  

(don’t misconstrue this with anorexia the mental disease….two distinctly different things, so let’s not rehash this point please).

I have certainly learned one thing in the past year of blogging on this topic, the proana community is getting stronger and larger, reinforcing the need to expose the problem. On the positive side, I know first hand that a lot of you that are “on the fence” or have had enough of the proana lifestyle are now here, and you are listening.

For that I am grateful. There’s a better life out there girls, stick with me and you will find it.

 -mamaV