STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Almost every girl I know has gone through anorexia or bulimia at some point.  But those aren't the only eating disorders out there.  There's also binge eating, over-exercising, and many, many others.  Some of it is caused by society's views of what is beautiful.  Certainly it factors into heading down that path.  But a lot of people are confused about this issue, and think that it's superficial - meaning, the person is doing it purely b/c of a desire to be thin.  Superficially, yes, that is what they want.  But these diseases are caused by much deeper issues, usually relating to a need for a feeling of control.  Controlling your body and hunger is probably the ultimate form of gaining a sense of control in your life.  Everyone's reasons for needing that sense of control are different, but some are a history of abuse, feeling a need to punish yourself, depression, anxiety, etc. 

I've also read that eating disorders are on the rise in 30-somethings.  Just one more scary trend.

This is probably wrong of me, but I giggled when I saw this:

http://got2bthin.95mb.com/BeAfraid.html

I tried some of those links but most are broken.  I have never had an e.d.- but in a way, I kind of understand why girls do this.  Its one of those things where it doesn't seem so far fetched for me- like maybe that could be me.  Maybe I do think about eating less, and maybe I do want to control myself.  But I don't haha, and I eat a ton.  I think the media and thin celebs definitely plant a seed, but it can't be entirely blamed.  I think a lot of it has to do with our portrayal of women in general- that women shouldn't be strong, that they shouldn't speak their minds, that they should control themselves, the double standard when it comes to sexuality (men are studs, women are sluts), that being beautiful is the most important thing going for a woman, etc.  Even my bf, who I love dearly and encourages me to be strong and successful and would never, ever want me to be anything but healthy, tells me I'm beautiful wayyyy more than he tells me I'm a strong person, or kind, or funny, or smart, etc.  It's almost like that's the most important thing.  I've been lucky in the sense that i've always been told that it is good to be a strong and smart woman, but I still notice the subtle reminders that tell me otherwise.  I know its not as bad here as in other countries, and i'm not trying to complain because I personally think i can achieve MORE because I'm a woman, but I somehow understand why girls (and some boys) do this.

I've heard of this before and its so disturbing.  I've heard of girls wearing Ana bracelets, almost like the Live Strong bracelets, but only to remind them not to eat.  And the tips and mantras they have are frightening.  *shudder*

The girls that are dealing with these issues have much larger issues than just wanting to look like celebrities.  It has to do with control, trauma, self esteem, getting attention, depression, and lots of other issues.  I'd venture to say that in most cases it doesn't have to do with trying to look like someone else and instead has much more to do with what's going on inside a person's own head.  In college a lot of my friends struggled with eating disorders of one kind or another and it always seemed to stem from internal factors (ie depression, self esteem, etc) rather than external factors (ie trying to look like a model). 

Look at the descriptions of these websites:  one says "my fight to thinness and complete bliss"--yikes.  I feel sorry for these girls--they have no idea that reaching a specific number on the scale will have nothing to do with how happy they will be.