Pro- Ana groups (pro-anorexia)
Has it really come to this?
Context;
Pro-ana refers to the promotion of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. It is often referred to simply as "ana" and is sometimes personified by anorexics as a girl named Ana.[1] The lesser-used term pro-mia refers likewise to bulimia nervosa[2] and is sometimes used interchangeably with pro-ana.
Pro-ana organizations differ widely in their stances. Most claim that they exist mainly as a non-judgmental environment for anorexics; a place to turn to, to discuss their illness, and to support those who choose to enter recovery. Others deny anorexia nervosa is a mental illness and claim instead that it is a "lifestyle choice" that should be respected by doctors and family.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-ana
Recent study;
ScienceDaily (Aug. 20, 2012) — A new research study from Indiana University suggests there may be benefits to the controversial activities of "pro-ana" bloggers, the online community for people with eating disorders.
Most of the 33 bloggers from seven countries interviewed for the study, which has just been published in the journal Health Communication, said their writing activities provide a way to express themselves without judgment, which the authors believe can be crucial to their treatment.
"We don't know what are the effects of participating in this community on health," said Daphna Yeshua-Katz, a doctoral student in telecommunications in the IU College of Arts and Sciences. "But we do know that the current therapy for eating disorders is not effective."
"These communities are providing support, albeit supporting an illness that may result in someone's death," added Nicole Martins, an assistant professor of telecommunications at IU. "But until they're ready to go and seek recovery on their own terms, this might actually be a way of prolonging their life, so that they are mentally ready to tackle their recovery process.
"From the outside looking in, this looks like a really disturbing community, but I think that the fact that these women are able to find support from one another and find a place where someone understands what they're going through is a really good thing," Martins added.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120820110809.htm
Popular culture news;
Pro-Anorexia Bloggers Say They Write Online To Escape "Judgment"
“Nobody 'normal' understands why you want to starve yourself for days on end,” one blogger told researchers.
Pro-anorexia (pro-ana for short) and pro-bulimia (pro-mia) websites are usually decried as encouraging women's eating disorders — so much so that social networking sites like Pinterest have banned pro-ana content. But a new study of pro-ana bloggers claims that many of them are getting a sense of understanding and support online that they can't find anywhere else.
For a study published in the journal Health Communication, telecommunications grad student Daphna Yeshua-Katz and her coauthor Nicole Martins interviewed 33 girls and women, aged 15 to 33, who had posted pro-ana content — defined as instructions for anorexic behavior, "thinspiration" photos of emaciated bodies, or poetry or song lyrics about anorexia — on platforms like Blogger, Tumblr, or LiveJournal. Excerpts from the interviews offer a rare window into a practice that many recognize as unhealthy, but still feel they need.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/annanorth/pro-anorexia-bloggers-say-they-write-online-to-esc
I think I want to cry. Anyone with experiance or knowledge of these groups?
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