I'm appaulled...did you see Dr. Oz today?

soagirl777

today's show is about "Women dying to be thin". There is a guy on there that is basically promoting anorexia with his website. He says he's giving people a place to go and talk about their weight and self image and not be judged by others. I think he is doing more harm than good. WTF? Seriously? I agree with the guest, this guy is signing peoples death certificates. Anorexic or not, these people need professional help from a doctor not some guy on the Internet promoting anorexia with extremely unhealthy pics. What do you guys think?.....

yesthistime

This may seem weird, but I want to check out the website. Morbid curiosity, I suppose.

TaraNeecole

I'm watching it as we speak... Speechless!

IvoryParchment

So many people who have recovered avoid photos that they consider triggers, it can't be a good idea for people who are actively ill to look at them. And it's bad enough they are competing against an imaginary image in their heads, let alone real people competing to lose the most weight.

CMmrsfloyd

I haven't seen the show but the website in question (prettythin.com) has put up an interesting response to the Dr. Oz show:
http://www.prettythin.com/
http://www.prettythin.com/dyingtobethindroz.htm

They are not allowing new memberships apparently to avoid causing problems within their community, so rubber-neckers are out of luck for the moment.

EmilyMae12

What is this website? From your description it sounds like a pro-ana site or something of the sorts, which I am utterly appalled by. I have seen a few through my struggles with bulimia (not joining, just things you come across, since there are so many..). I had seen them promote things like "Eat cotton balls to make your hunger decrease..". Anything promoting crash dieting, etc I think is disgusting and nowhere near supportive.

Saruman_w

Seems to me this guy doesn't give a crap whether these people who follow it dies or not. He's just there to exploit their mental and self image issues for profit. Makes me sick

Hayesgang

I don't watch Dr. Oz but it doesn't surprise me that he'd have someone like that on, the good Dr. also promotes detoxing and cleanses. Tired of junk TV!!

EmilyMae12

Saw the link after I posted, yup just what I though, pro-ana. Most of the girls on these sites do not previously suffer from an eating disorder, they are people who try to mimic the behaviors to get a quick fix. Which can later lead to actual anorexia.. sad really, and they really need to be shut down.

kiminikimkim

Seems to me this guy doesn't give a crap whether these people who follow it dies or not. He's just there to exploit their mental and self image issues for profit. Makes me sick

That's exactly what I was thinking... capitalizing on people's weaknesses. Evil.

Moeblessings

:sad: :sad: I can't watch it, stupid work :grumble: but it sounds awful.

WhittRak

Seems to me this guy doesn't give a crap whether these people who follow it dies or not. He's just there to exploit their mental and self image issues for profit. Makes me sick

Yup. Right on point.

EmilyMae12

"i am not saying dr oz is wrong i am just saying that not everyone is fortunate enough to get therapy and this could be a place for them"

Quote from a person commenting on the site, I assume is using the site..
I don't see where supporting somebody who is destroying themselves is an alternative to therapy.

CMmrsfloyd

I just can't judge the site w/o more information, I mean I know in some circles MFP is identified as a great place to track disordered habits, so I can imagine if Dr. Oz did a show and focused on that aspect that this very site could be viewed the same way. No that's not the focus and not what's supported here, but it could easily be skewed that way depending on the 'angle'. Especially since we DO have several support groups on here for people with EDs. But like I said I haven't seen the show yet and the site is only allowing very very limited access from people who were not already members, so it's very hard to know what it's all about.

tequila09

I wouldn't say its proanorexia most users really have issues and it is a place to talk about it. You are not allowed to encourage anorexic tendencies but the people there already have it in their head. I have come a long way in my own issues but like any other problem you will not recover until you are ready.

Stephisonaroll

This may seem weird, but I want to check out the website. Morbid curiosity, I suppose.

haha that is weird but I totally get it

nataliefallbach

I didn't see the show but if this guy is promoting an eating disorder he is a tool. I hate how daytime shows even give these people air time.

IvoryParchment

I didn't read the forums there, since they require registration. I read their blog on Tumblr. It's curious. Clearly, they're saying what they need to say to get eating disordered people to log in. But then they ask them reflective questions. The lack of self insight is a big part of eating disorders. And people with eating disorders can be very manipulative, but maybe they are exactly the people to not buy into the manipulative behavior of other anorexics. The photos they show labeled "sexy" are thin, but not emaciated. A lot of anorexics would be doing well to be satisfied with that type of figure.

It would be interesting to see data on what percentage of the people who become members of PrettyThin die vs. what percentage successfully overcome the disease eventually. The outcomes data with traditional therapy isn't very impressive, and if better treatments made obvious sense, therapists would already be using them.

wahmx3

I used to think Dr Oz was great until I started hearing so MANY people talking negative about him. I have only watched a handful of his shows and I don't care for him much now, he could do a show on the topic that could actually do some good.

AbsoluteNG

According to the website PrettyThins is NOT a diet website, nor does it promote anorexia or any other eating disorder.

dietstokes

I am a member of that website. I have had disordered eating most of my life ranging from restriction and being underweight to binging and being slightly overweight. The website in question is not like a typical "pro-ana" website. You can't give out tips, you cant promote anything unhealthy. You can go and talk and vent. Many discussions actually have nothing to do with eating disorders. There is a forum just focusing on recovery. Many members are in some form of therapy, so this actually isn't replacing therapy. While it is odd having someone owning and running a website for eating disorders who does not have one himself, he has kept a place open for all people who have an eating disorder. The last thing he does is promote eating disorders. He has many resources available for people who are suicidal as well, which can not be said for any other "pro-ana" website I have ever seen.

I think people's prejudices and misunderstandings of eating disorders makes them think we are not entitled to a web forum. However, how is that any different that a forum for those who have depression, or any other medical condition? Sometimes, you just need a group of people in the same situation to commiserate with. We are not a delusional group who thinks what were are doing is cool or good for us. We know it is not healthy, which is why I think you will find many members here as well. To help keep us on track of a healthier lifestyle.

And just so you all know, I see way more "Tips and tricks" and such promoted and discussed here than I do on pretty thin. Which I find kind of ironic, but I try to just ignore it.

QuietStatic

I am a member of that website. I have had disordered eating most of my life ranging from restriction and being underweight to binging and being slightly overweight. The website in question is not like a typical "pro-ana" website. You can't give out tips, you cant promote anything unhealthy. You can go and talk and vent. Many discussions actually have nothing to do with eating disorders. There is a forum just focusing on recovery. Many members are in some form of therapy, so this actually isn't replacing therapy. While it is odd having someone owning and running a website for eating disorders who does not have one himself, he has kept a place open for all people who have an eating disorder. The last thing he does is promote eating disorders. He has many resources available for people who are suicidal as well, which can not be said for any other "pro-ana" website I have ever seen.

I think people's prejudices and misunderstandings of eating disorders makes them think we are not entitled to a web forum. However, how is that any different that a forum for those who have depression, or any other medical condition? Sometimes, you just need a group of people in the same situation to commiserate with. We are not a delusional group who thinks what were are doing is cool or good for us. We know it is not healthy, which is why I think you will find many members here as well. To help keep us on track of a healthier lifestyle.

And just so you all know, I see way more "Tips and tricks" and such promoted and discussed here than I do on pretty thin. Which I find kind of ironic, but I try to just ignore it.

Bravo!! You said it perfectly girlie! :flowerforyou: People need to quit runnin their mouths about things they're totally uninformed about. :mad: Bet none of y'all batt an eye at AA or NA support groups...

Spacemann

I am also a member of this site. It's true the website has many more visitors now due to this one sided show many of them flock to check out this 'horrific' site. The truth about PT is that it does help....many people seek out help for other conditions not just ED's...i for example have finally managed to pluck up the courage to go see my local gp about my 'other conditions' however if i didn't have the online support i've recived from some of the other members on PT i most certainly wouldn't go. This community doesn't show anorexia to be the best way to get thin, it shows how many people it effects....that it's not just you. I've felt very alone for almost my entire life but having people (even faceless people on the internet) tell you that they're there for you wether you recover or not...comfort you in a way somebody without ana or mia can. PT is a haven where anorexics won't be judged....so stop flocking to the site in masses expecting us to 'see the error of our ways'. We know what we're doing is socially unacceptable but it in many cases it's addictive, a habit if you will.

On the note of the ignorant fool who called the website manager a 'tool' grow up and get some insight. He's not a tool, when he first took over PT he had no clue about eating disorders but he learned from our perspective what it's like...he doesn't condone it he tries to find new ways of encouraging us to get help....'unity bracelets' for example so that when we another wearing the bracelet we know we're not alone...and no before anyone says it...it's NOT a sign that we're proud otherwise we'd prace around wearing t-shirts saying 'Hi my name is (insert name here) and i have an ED ' it's sublte way of expressing the fact that something this harsh unites us and that if we stay strong we can get better.
Alright i've had enough. Rant over.

TrailRunner61

Being a recovered anorexic, I never once cared about how anyone else looked. For me it was how I felt about myself and the fact that I was in control of something that I could control and no one else could. Looking at obsessively skinny people just makes me feel sorry for them. I never thought I looked that way anyway, until I saw pics of me AFTER I recovered. They don't see themselves as thin, they think they look good. It is an illness.

CMmrsfloyd

I am a member of that website. I have had disordered eating most of my life ranging from restriction and being underweight to binging and being slightly overweight. The website in question is not like a typical "pro-ana" website. You can't give out tips, you cant promote anything unhealthy. You can go and talk and vent. Many discussions actually have nothing to do with eating disorders. There is a forum just focusing on recovery. Many members are in some form of therapy, so this actually isn't replacing therapy. While it is odd having someone owning and running a website for eating disorders who does not have one himself, he has kept a place open for all people who have an eating disorder. The last thing he does is promote eating disorders. He has many resources available for people who are suicidal as well, which can not be said for any other "pro-ana" website I have ever seen.

I think people's prejudices and misunderstandings of eating disorders makes them think we are not entitled to a web forum. However, how is that any different that a forum for those who have depression, or any other medical condition? Sometimes, you just need a group of people in the same situation to commiserate with. We are not a delusional group who thinks what were are doing is cool or good for us. We know it is not healthy, which is why I think you will find many members here as well. To help keep us on track of a healthier lifestyle.

And just so you all know, I see way more "Tips and tricks" and such promoted and discussed here than I do on pretty thin. Which I find kind of ironic, but I try to just ignore it.

Bravo!! You said it perfectly girlie! :flowerforyou: People need to quit runnin their mouths about things they're totally uninformed about. :mad: Bet none of y'all batt an eye at AA or NA support groups...

AA and NA are extremely well-known, eating disorder support groups are not talked about as much so the way they operate is not common knowledge. Everyone knows what AA and NA do, most have never heard of PT until today unless they were already a member or had friends who are members. You can't fault people for not knowing what isn't talked about. Obviously there ARE groups out there that encourage each other and give tips for being 'more' disordered or whatever, how are people watching the Dr. Oz show supposed to know that that's not what this group is about, unless someone tells them? I hate that the group has been bashed and that the people feel attacked now by a mob of angry lurkers, but it's not exactly the lurkers' fault, it's the fault of the person that put the group on blast on TV in the first place.

I didn't see the show but if this guy is promoting an eating disorder he is a tool. I hate how daytime shows even give these people air time.

I am also a member of this site. It's true the website has many more visitors now due to this one sided show many of them flock to check out this 'horrific' site. The truth about PT is that it does help....many people seek out help for other conditions not just ED's...i for example have finally managed to pluck up the courage to go see my local gp about my 'other conditions' however if i didn't have the online support i've recived from some of the other members on PT i most certainly wouldn't go. This community doesn't show anorexia to be the best way to get thin, it shows how many people it effects....that it's not just you. I've felt very alone for almost my entire life but having people (even faceless people on the internet) tell you that they're there for you wether you recover or not...comfort you in a way somebody without ana or mia can. PT is a haven where anorexics won't be judged....so stop flocking to the site in masses expecting us to 'see the error of our ways'. We know what we're doing is socially unacceptable but it in many cases it's addictive, a habit if you will.

On the note of the ignorant fool who called the website manager a 'tool' grow up and get some insight. He's not a tool, when he first took over PT he had no clue about eating disorders but he learned from our perspective what it's like...he doesn't condone it he tries to find new ways of encouraging us to get help....'unity bracelets' for example so that when we another wearing the bracelet we know we're not alone...and no before anyone says it...it's NOT a sign that we're proud otherwise we'd prace around wearing t-shirts saying 'Hi my name is (insert name here) and i have an ED ' it's sublte way of expressing the fact that something this harsh unites us and that if we stay strong we can get better.
Alright i've had enough. Rant over.

If you'll notice, she said *if* he promotes it then he's a tool. She admitted she hadn't seen the show. How does that make her an ignorant fool? She just wanted to join the discussion, she didn't state anything as an absolute fact.

Don't be mad at people that are concerned for YOU and your fellow group members, be mad at the person that misrepresented your group. (Dr. Oz)

Amy911Gray

That is scary, and very sad. There are many people out there that will "die" for a chance to be thin.

EmilyMae12

If I offended anybody who uses this site, I apologize.

lookpretty

yall will shoot me down for this but I had a major eating disorder prior to having my son and was a member on whats called a pro ana site, i actually think it helped me get better because I first realised I was sick, I hadnt really solidly decided that until I realised how weird how I behaved was.

QueenJayJay

I'm appalled every time I watch Dr. Oz.

michellebd1980

I'm speaking from personal experience with eating disorders!! How the EFF does this guy think it is okay to do this to people suffering from a mental disorder and why isn't anyone doing anything to shut him down? Wow, I'm so annoyed!

EmilyMae12

No shooting you down from me! I understand going on these sites, and they may help some, but when I was looking for support from them all I saw were little girls asking "How do you purge?" "How should I starve" "I just purged for the first time, and I am so happy! What do I do now." It was heartbreaking.