Back Off My Ana/Mia Friends

I used to have a medication induced ED. It sucked. People seem to think that because they are hiding behind their computer screens that they can be as mean and nasty as they want with no consequence. It's pathetic really. Thank you for having the courage to not only admit to your ED, but to support and help others who are struggling through it. I like to think that if there were more people like you out there that truly care that we would have fewer people suffering.

People will have their opinions. A big part of this site is holding people accountable not babying them. Sorry but that's the truth.

This is true, but holding them accountable to their own goals, not your lifestyle or opinion. I'm not trying to bash you or what you're trying to say, but no one deserves to be judged for what their efforts are as long as they are for the better. Unfortunately it's also the truth that people will give their opinion with no regard to someone's feelings about it. There is a time and place for it and some people just don't get that.

It takes a brave person to come on a "public" site and post pictures of themselves as overweight/underweight or just not looking healthy or tell their stories and hope that people support them for trying to be healthier in whatever way they can or know how. Well said, as usual, DarkAngel.

It means so much to me and to my fellow EDers as well to have this kind of support here. MFP seems to me to be largely free from the venom so rampant on the rest of the Internet... Emphasis on "largely" haha. I hope it remains such a safe place.

I personally think it is absolutely fantastic that you guys are willing to TRY to get better, and are setting goals. It isn't all that different from what we who are losing are trying to do when you really think about it. I wish you all the success in the world. :-)

I have to say that I really love this post!

Eating disorders are extremely hard to overcome, I know becuase I'm trying very hard not to return to my bulimic ways. TRUST me when I say that we know we have an issue... we KNOW that it's harmful and it could kill us. But to have the mental capacity to overcome what your mind is telling you to do... is H-A-R-D!!!

Just as we shouldn't "baby" people, as one person said. We can still have sympathy and compassion for that person and thier struggles. You don't know exactly what another person is going through! At least have the human decency to be respectful. Take a look from their persepective for a minute before you critisize!!!

Thanks for the post!

Yes, eating disorders are very, very difficult to overcome. I am a recovering bulimic as well when I was in high school up until my early twenties. I find myself also fighting not to go back to those ways and will probably do so for the rest of my life.

Well said, and its true that you will find judgemental people everywhere ... just do your best to be healthy and stay strong.

I am so in agreement with this. We are all here to achieve the goal of being healthier. From whatever angle your job is to support your friends in that.

To the person who said you can't "baby" ED sufferers unfortunately it is a serious psychological disorder it's not a case of tough love going to snap anyone out of anything. Telling an Ana/Mia to just eat more is about as effective as telling a seriously obese person to "just eat less". There is so much more going on about how they feel in themselves and their lives then just food as a fuel.

Thanks for bringing this to light - MFP is such a great supportive community lets embrace everyone in their attempts to live healthier lives but make sure your measuring by their yardstick, not your own.

If anyone out there is battling at the moment with an ED I am a recovered and would be happy to offer support to you any time

I just wanted to comment as someone who has never been diagnosed with an ED, but I was diagnosed a few months back with major depression. I understand the struggle to change the way you're think about yourself and the world around you. It frustrates me to see people on this site who think that people just need a rude wake up call and then that person will be all better.

The worst part of the depression for me is absolutely knowing that my cognitive processes are screwed up. I know the way I respond to stressors isn't logical to other people. I can only assume that it similar to anyone who has acknowledged that they have an eating disorder. They probably already know that they're hurting their bodies. Berating them for reaching out for help isn't help at all, if they're anything like me they'll just shut down and get stuck with negative thoughts about themselves.

If you want to help, be there to listen, to have kind words, and to encourage building a stronger body.

I know that depression and eating disorders often occur together. I promise you that I'm hear to listen and talk any time you need it.

It's been hard for me to be supportive, mostly because I don't know how. I am trying to gain, but I am not anorexic. Mostly I'm poor. My ED friends on MFP have really made me realize that my food issues aren't nearly so severe as I thought. Sure, some days I would eat next to nothing, but it was never habitual. It was never a "diet" - just emotion driven. Like binge eating but the opposite. I could always eat more when I felt better. Sure I was underweight, but never quite let it go too far.

It hurts me to see these girls go through so much shame and worry, and so much bad self-image. My heart truly goes out to them, and maybe that's all the support they need, but I feel the need to be doctor/therapist and this is just one area where I'm not qualified.

This is such a good thread! I have been waiting for something like this!

I also have bulimic tendencies, and I struggle with them everyday. MFP has helped me in realizing how and when I should eat to better control these urges. And I agree with the above posters, ED is in your head, not in your weight. And it is hard to be in and hard to overcome. And they don't need anyones judgement!

Sorry to hear that you're being harassed.

Glad to hear you're in recovery. I dealt with anorexia in high school. Hasn't been a problem since then, but it was hell when I went through it.