Anorexia......

[Pyramid*]

Story in the DM today.

How the lady on the right is still alive, beggars belief - both are bad, but she looks worse (if that's even a consideration) than her sister on the left.

Sad, heartbreaking and disturbing all at the same time. Both of these ladies are doctors. :(

http://thisisbigbrother.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=244&pictureid=1730



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2004003/Anorexia-pact-Our-deadly-anorexia-pact-For-20-years-identical-twins-competed-disturbing-way-imaginable.html

[CharlieO]

I honestly don't see why people starve themselves to be that thin. It's not even attractive in any way.
Say someone overweight starved themselves to be of normal weight. I can understand that I don't think it's right but can understand it. But to be perfectly normal and want to be a skeleton basically is horrible. And people like that can't blame the media, no model or actress would be hired that skinny it's just horrible, they must have body dismorphia.

[Novo]

How can anyone live like that you would be ashamed to go out in public imagine being out in a strong wind surely you would get blown of balance being that skinny..

[Pyramid*]

I honestly don't see why people starve themselves to be that thin. It's not even attractive in any way.
Say someone overweight starved themselves to be of normal weight. I can understand that I don't think it's right but can understand it. But to be perfectly normal and want to be a skeleton basically is horrible. And people like that can't blame the media, no model or actress would be hired that skinny it's just horrible, they must have body dismorphia.

It's psychological Charlie, that's the problem - there's a degree of body dysmorphia in that the anorexic 'sees' a very distorted vision of what they look like - in comparison to how they actually look. There's the issue of 'control' as well (ie; they can feel it's the one thing in life that they actually have control over).

Very hard illlness for all concerned and those around them.

[lostalex]

i think illness can be beautiful. Much more attractive than arrogant self-absorbed ignorant Jordan types.

I find the guys i'm attracted to are often very flawed and very insecure. like me.

[joeysteele]

It's psychological Charlie, that's the problem - there's a degree of body dysmorphia in that the anorexic 'sees' a very distorted vision of what they look like - in comparison to how they actually look. There's the issue of 'control' as well (ie; they can feel it's the one thing in life that they actually have control over).

Very hard illlness for all concerned and those around them.

Great post Pyramid, it's like a funfair crazy mirrors syndrome type of thing,they look in a mirror and somehow in their mind they imagine they are overweight,so that's what they see no matter what the reflection shows.

It is so sad,very scary too,even for the people around them who care it must be near soul destroying to see happen.

[Claymores]

I unfortunately had an ex (many years ago) who was slim but started to eat less + go to gym - you didn't need a psychology degree to see she was dying with mental health issue of weight.

I walked away from this relationship - hope she's well now and 14 stone and 3 kids.

[lostalex]

body dysmorphia is not like a fun house mirror. it's more that you focus on a specific part of your body as a guage, instead of seeing yourself objectively. For instance, a jewish person might focus on their nose, and be obsessed about their nose being too big, because of stereotypes, or a black person might focus on the colour of their skin, and focus only on how dark they are, or a woman might focus on her breasts and how big they are, because society creates stereotypes for us all, and in some cases, with body dysmorphia, we focus on one part of the body, one aspect, above all other aspects.

Anorexics know they are too skinny, but they often focus on one part of the body that they don't like and try to fix it, just like dark girls will over use skin bleach, or jewish girls would obsess over a nose job.

It's not as simple as saying it's like a carnival mirror, it's nothing like a carnival mirror.

It's more like a magnifying glass.

[GypsyGoth]

:sad:

[Vicky.]

That looks awful. And anyone who takes advice from either of them as doctors...also needs help :/

[Livia]

I find it interesting how someone who is anorexic gets so much more sympathy than someone who is obese. In many cases they are similar in their psychosis, in that both have a freaked-out relationship with food and suffer from life-threatening mental illness. The anorexic though, is tiny, pixie like and more socially acceptable than someone who is obese. Obese people are fair game it seems for anyone who wants to have a pop at them and they are ridiculed mercilessly by society. People's heart bleeds for the tiny anorexic, while assuming the obese person is just greedy and lazy. Surely both are mentally ill and deserve understanding and treatment?

[Vicky.]

I find it interesting how someone who is anorexic gets so much more sympathy than someone who is obese. In many cases they are similar in their psychosis, in that both have a freaked-out relationship with food and suffer from life-threatening mental illness. The anorexic though, is tiny, pixie like and more socially acceptable than someone who is obese. Obese people are fair game it seems for anyone who wants to have a pop at them and they are ridiculed mercilessly by society. People's heart bleeds for the tiny anorexic, while assuming the obese person is just greedy and lazy. Surely both are mentally ill and deserve understanding and treatment?

Definitely agree with all of this

[Claymores]

I find it interesting how someone who is anorexic gets so much more sympathy than someone who is obese. In many cases they are similar in their psychosis, in that both have a freaked-out relationship with food and suffer from life-threatening mental illness. The anorexic though, is tiny, pixie like and more socially acceptable than someone who is obese. Obese people are fair game it seems for anyone who wants to have a pop at them and they are ridiculed mercilessly by society. People's heart bleeds for the tiny anorexic, while assuming the obese person is just greedy and lazy. Surely both are mentally ill and deserve understanding and treatment?

It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

[Boothy]

It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

I'd agree with this.

[Mystic Mock]

I think im going to be sick.

[Mystic Mock]

It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

As long as there not to big I dont see why they should be made a fool out of.

[joeysteele]

Firstly bad example I used in that using a funfair mirror syndrome, I had a cousin who was heading towards this awful condition and she said if she looked in a mirror all she could see was someone very overweight,she used the funfair mirror thing it was not on my part a poor attempt to joke about the situation.
However the bulk of anorexics do not actually know they are too skinny,many don't even believe its a problem that may in time greatly harm them or be fatal for them.

Anyway,Pyramid summed it all up far better than myself, thankfully my Cousin got help and was sorted and is fine now.

I agree with jedward fever that no one should be made fun of whether way too thin or too obese. I would go further to say even those who we see on TV documentaries who are massively obese don't warrant being made fun of.

The picture posted at the start of this thread is a very sad one, these people need understanding and limitless support to help them identify their problem and seek help before its too late.

[Claymores]

cool JF + joey - I just feel that to pidgenhole sufferers of this mental illness with people who are overwight is wrong. I took exception to Livia's idea

[Vicky.]

However pidgeonholing all overweight people as just people who are just greedy and do not need help or have an illness is fine...

[Ammi]

I knew someone with anorexia years ago. She was a beautiful girl with a fantastic figure. Her parents had high expectations of her and she didn't have the same plans for her future that they did and felt as though she was being pushed into a direction she didn't want to go. When she stopped eating, for her, It wasn't about how she looked, it was about taking some control in her life. She said if she could use such self control in not eating the things that gave her pleasure, she felt more powerful and in control. She didn't think about or blocked out what her body started to look like because she wanted to keep that control. In fact she always avoided even looking in the mirror. She was ok in the end but it was after many years and a very supportive partner. Her parents however couldn't help because the more they tried to encourage her to eat, the more she felt they were trying to take away her control so she resisted more.

[Ammi]

I knew someone with anorexia years ago. She was a beautiful girl with a fantastic figure. Her parents had high expectations of her and she didn't have the same plans for her future that they did and felt as though she was being pushed into a direction she didn't want to go. When she stopped eating, for her, It wasn't about how she looked, it was about taking some control in her life. She said if she could use such self control in not eating the things that gave her pleasure, she felt more powerful and in control. She didn't think about or blocked out what her body started to look like because she wanted to keep that control. In fact she always avoided even looking in the mirror. She was ok in the end but it was after many years and a very supportive partner. Her parents however couldn't help because the more they tried to encourage her to eat, the more she felt they were trying to take away her control so she resisted more.

[Vicky.]

I knew someone with anorexia years ago. She was a beautiful girl with a fantastic figure. Her parents had high expectations of her and she didn't have the same plans for her future that they did and felt as though she was being pushed into a direction she didn't want to go. When she stopped eating, for her, It wasn't about how she looked, it was about taking some control in her life. She said if she could use such self control in not eating the things that gave her pleasure, she felt more powerful and in control. She didn't think about or blocked out what her body started to look like because she wanted to keep that control. In fact she always avoided even looking in the mirror. She was ok in the end but it was after many years and a very supportive partner. Her parents however couldn't help because the more they tried to encourage her to eat, the more she felt they were trying to take away her control so she resisted more.

Yeah this seems quite common tbh. People assume its all about how they look, when its not in all cases.

[Pyramid*]

Much more attractive than arrogant self-absorbed ignorant Jordan types.



Now lostalex, that really is no way to refer to a fellow forum member: that's not nice. :nono: Oh wait.....that wasn't quite what you meant was it!!. ;) (sorry, had to be done) :)

body dysmorphia is not like a fun house mirror. it's more that you focus on a specific part of your body as a guage, instead of seeing yourself objectively. For instance, a jewish person might focus on their nose, and be obsessed about their nose being too big, because of stereotypes, or a black person might focus on the colour of their skin, and focus only on how dark they are, or a woman might focus on her breasts and how big they are, because society creates stereotypes for us all, and in some cases, with body dysmorphia, we focus on one part of the body, one aspect, above all other aspects.

Anorexics know they are too skinny, but they often focus on one part of the body that they don't like and try to fix it, just like dark girls will over use skin bleach, or jewish girls would obsess over a nose job.

It's not as simple as saying it's like a carnival mirror, it's nothing like a carnival mirror.

It's more like a magnifying glass.

I'll beg to differ on the BIB. Anorexics don't often focus on one part of their body. There is a huge part of the illness that surround the issue on 'control' - as well as anorexic person seeing a very distorted vision/reflection of their body when they look in a mirror. What THEY see, is simply NOT how they are. In that sense: it is exactly as Joeysteele described - the distortion of image viewed by the anorexic person - compared to the real image of the anorexic person as seen by others.


I find it interesting how someone who is anorexic gets so much more sympathy than someone who is obese. In many cases they are similar in their psychosis, in that both have a freaked-out relationship with food and suffer from life-threatening mental illness. The anorexic though, is tiny, pixie like and more socially acceptable than someone who is obese. Obese people are fair game it seems for anyone who wants to have a pop at them and they are ridiculed mercilessly by society. People's heart bleeds for the tiny anorexic, while assuming the obese person is just greedy and lazy. Surely both are mentally ill and deserve understanding and treatment?


It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

I have to disagree with Litvia I'm afraid, and agree with Claymores: partly for the reasons Clays gave: but also, from the obese person's point of view: it can take many many years to get to such obesity without any immediate damage. The anorexic on the other hand, this can take hold and be a real threat to lasting damage to organs, and threat to life - in a far quicker period of time- in comparison to the 'average' obese/ morbidly obese person - who can take many years to reach the size they are before real lasting damage (or the probability of death) becomes a real threat.

That (I think) is one of the main reasons there is a very different 'sympathetic' view given to anorexics that doesn't apply to those obese.

These twins are not the best example of what I am trying to explain: we have read all sorts of stories about young teenagers suffering from organ failure and dying through anorexia - the death rate for obese teenagers simply doesn't come close. That's the diffference: Anorexia can be fatal, very quickly.

Firstly bad example I used in that using a funfair mirror syndrome, I had a cousin who was heading towards this awful condition and she said if she looked in a mirror all she could see was someone very overweight,she used the funfair mirror thing it was not on my part a poor attempt to joke about the situation.
However the bulk of anorexics do not actually know they are too skinny,many don't even believe its a problem that may in time greatly harm them or be fatal for them.

.

I feel that your example of 'funfair mirrors' to highlight the distorted view as seen by anorexics was actually a very simple but highly effective and explanatory example.



cool JF + joey - I just feel that to pidgenhole sufferers of this mental illness with people who are overwight is wrong.

Totally agree ... for the reasons I've mentioned futher up in my post here.

As bad as it is for the anorexic: the feeling of complete and utter helplessness - not to mention frustration - angst, hurt etc for those who love them: that must be one of the most awful things to watch: knowing that you really can't do anything much other than be there, help them as much as they allow / want and be there to support. :(

[joeysteele]

Thank you very much indeed Pyramid, I was speaking from what I had seen with my Cousin and although cases obviously vary she,having been anorexic would have agreed with my interpetration of her condition at that time.

You however,I do think made the point very effectively and clearly with much greater understanding of it.
It is an awful condition/illness to have and it's crushingly painful too for loved ones to see happening,however at the time,my Cousin wore baggy jumpers etc to appear to have more weight than she actually had so hid it for a good while before the problem was realised.

[Claymores]

Thank you very much indeed Pyramid, I was speaking from what I had seen with my Cousin and although cases obviously vary she,having been anorexic would have agreed with my interpetration of her condition at that time.

You however,I do think made the point very effectively and clearly with much greater understanding of it.
It is an awful condition/illness to have and it's crushingly painful too for loved ones to see happening,however at the time,my Cousin wore baggy jumpers etc to appear to have more weight than she actually had so hid it for a good while before the problem was realised.

Agreed joey - Pyr put the points across - wishes to yer family

[joeysteele]

Agreed joey - Pyr put the points across - wishes to yer family

Thank you Claymores, all Best Wishes to you and yours too.

[Beastie]

The dad will feel so guilty and mortified. The girls are blaming him for the start of their anorexia. Because he was having a conversation with their mum saying they have hips! Stupid girls. If they die, everyone will think it is their dad's fault. When it's only them to blame.

Anorexia is also a self loathing illness. If an anorexic dies they only have themselves to blame.

[InOne]

The dad will feel so guilty and mortified. The girls are blaming him for the start of their anorexia. Because he was having a conversation with their mum saying they have hips! Stupid girls. If they die, everyone will think it is their dad's fault. When it's only them to blame.

Anorexia is also a self loathing illness. If an anorexic dies they only have themselves to blame.

Pretty blunt view :/ It's not like they can help it.

[joeysteele]

The dad will feel so guilty and mortified. The girls are blaming him for the start of their anorexia. Because he was having a conversation with their mum saying they have hips! Stupid girls. If they die, everyone will think it is their dad's fault. When it's only them to blame.

Anorexia is also a self loathing illness. If an anorexic dies they only have themselves to blame.

:shocked: wow.

[Livia]

It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

You've just illustrated my point beautifully. "nobody is going to stop the fatty having chocolate putting and enjoying themselves at the dinner table..."

Both these extremes need understanding as, like I said, they are both mental illnesses. To some people who are morbidly obese, eating is a guilty thing, done in secret, it's not all frivolity and fun round the dinner table. Life-threatening mental illness is life-threatening mental illness, no matter what the scales say. It's just that the skinny ones get more sympathy while the fat ones get more ridicule.

[cub]

I wouldn't label people mentaly ill just because they're obese. I would say they're likely to be unhappy and turn to food as a comfort, but I think we should be careful not to compare anorexia with obesity and suggest that they are different ends of the same thing.

[Livia]

I wouldn't label people mentaly ill just because they're obese. I would say they're likely to be unhappy and turn to food as a comfort, but I think we should be careful not to compare anorexia with obesity and suggest that they are different ends of the same thing.

The National Centre for Eating Disorders disagrees. People who have a destructive relationship with food suffer in many ways. The fact that some of them look like little waifs garners them more sympathy.

[Ammi]

You've just illustrated my point beautifully. "nobody is going to stop the fatty having chocolate putting and enjoying themselves at the dinner table..."

Both these extremes need understanding as, like I said, they are both mental illnesses. To some people who are morbidly obese, eating is a guilty thing, done in secret, it's not all frivolity and fun round the dinner table. Life-threatening mental illness is life-threatening mental illness, no matter what the scales say. It's just that the skinny ones get more sympathy while the fat ones get more ridicule.

I think this is true, both need to be treated with the same level of seriousness. I think it is wrong but true that underweight is more socially acceptable than overweight. The morbidly obese have just as many health risks as seriously underweight people, which if they are lucky they are helped with by supportive medical care to try and succesfully lose the weight but they are not often helped so much emotionally to find the cause of their eating habits in the first place. There is a stigma attatched to being overweight where society assume the person is just greedy or lazy, which just completely dismisses the issue, which is not the case with anorexics. You make a good point and it is a true but sad reflection of the 'thin' being more acceptable thah the 'fat'

[cub]

The National Centre for Eating Disorders disagrees. People who have a destructive relationship with food suffer in many ways. The fact that some of them look like little waifs garners them more sympathy.

That's not what I'm saying. I said we shouldn't slap a label of 'mental illness' on people who are obese, or suggest that people that turn to food as a comfort is the other side of the coin - and therefore the same - as anorexia.

Weight gain is often based on being unhappy and the use of food as a happiness-booster. Anorexia, as I understand it, is more of a control issue.

Obesity is food-led. Anorexia is body shape-led.

Most overweight people feel unhappy when they look in the mirror. Anorexics want to be thin. Obese people do not want to be fat.

[Claymores]

You've just illustrated my point beautifully. "nobody is going to stop the fatty having chocolate putting and enjoying themselves at the dinner table..."

Both these extremes need understanding as, like I said, they are both mental illnesses. To some people who are morbidly obese, eating is a guilty thing, done in secret, it's not all frivolity and fun round the dinner table. Life-threatening mental illness is life-threatening mental illness, no matter what the scales say. It's just that the skinny ones get more sympathy while the fat ones get more ridicule.

You deliberately missed the end of that quote where I was implying that a person was being socially engaging. There are no rights or wrongs - I was suggesting that a young person with anorexia/bolemia might need more care than an oldie who has spent 40 years eating too much in enjoyment.

In my random explanation, I was talking of people not happy to sit at the dinner table or who have to exit to puke down the loo - seems their illness is more pressing and disturbing than the obose

[Benjamin]

That's not what I'm saying. I said we shouldn't slap a label of 'mental illness' on people who are obese, or suggest that people that turn to food as a comfort is the other side of the coin - and therefore the same - as anorexia.

Weight gain is often based on being unhappy and the use of food as a happiness-booster. Anorexia, as I understand it, is more of a control issue.

Obesity is food-led. Anorexia is body shape-led.

Most overweight people feel unhappy when they look in the mirror. Anorexics want to be thin. Obese people do not want to be fat.

A very intelligent point, one that I happen to agree with you on.

[Claymores]

I can see why you are a Tory assistant playing with misquotes or half quotes - good luck with you on that Livs

[GypsyGoth]

I find it interesting how someone who is anorexic gets so much more sympathy than someone who is obese. In many cases they are similar in their psychosis, in that both have a freaked-out relationship with food and suffer from life-threatening mental illness. The anorexic though, is tiny, pixie like and more socially acceptable than someone who is obese. Obese people are fair game it seems for anyone who wants to have a pop at them and they are ridiculed mercilessly by society. People's heart bleeds for the tiny anorexic, while assuming the obese person is just greedy and lazy. Surely both are mentally ill and deserve understanding and treatment?

I never thought of it like that before.

[Ammi]

That's not what I'm saying. I said we shouldn't slap a label of 'mental illness' on people who are obese, or suggest that people that turn to food as a comfort is the other side of the coin - and therefore the same - as anorexia.

Weight gain is often based on being unhappy and the use of food as a happiness-booster. Anorexia, as I understand it, is more of a control issue.

Obesity is food-led. Anorexia is body shape-led.

Most overweight people feel unhappy when they look in the mirror. Anorexics want to be thin. Obese people do not want to be fat.

Not all anorexia is body shaped led. As I said in my previous post, the person I know who suffered from anorexia wanted to have control over something that was really important to her life - food. She couldn't bear to look in the mirror because she didn't want to face what she was doing to herself. She wasn't searching for a certain body shape - that didn't even come into it. I'm not saying this is always the case, because I'm sure in some cases the quest for the size zero does sometimes trigger off the illness. I'm sure that obese people also hate to look in the mirror, for the same reasons, they hate what they are doing to themselves. I think one displays an extreme lack of control and the other an extreme control to the point of deprivation. They are both obsessive but at opposite sides of the spectrum and both stem from emotional problems. I do agree that the obese is not viewed in as much a sympathetic way as the anorexic and yet they are both equally unhealthy and both deserve the same understanding

[Zippy]

I don't think you can generalise about either obesity or anorexia. I'm sure both are caused by, often similar, deep rooted issues. They just manifest themselves differently.

I don't even see a need to compare them. I guess obesity is just more visible and common so incurrs more ridicule. Both are certainly a vicious circle that are extremely difficult to break out of. Food is so essential to our lives in so many ways. For many obese people its the only comfort they have in life.

[Pyramid*]

That's not what I'm saying. I said we shouldn't slap a label of 'mental illness' on people who are obese, or suggest that people that turn to food as a comfort is the other side of the coin - and therefore the same - as anorexia.

Weight gain is often based on being unhappy and the use of food as a happiness-booster. Anorexia, as I understand it, is more of a control issue.

Obesity is food-led. Anorexia is body shape-led.

Most overweight people feel unhappy when they look in the mirror. Anorexics want to be thin. Obese people do not want to be fat.

Excellent post cub - explained in easy to understand language but essentially, in a way that really gives credence to why anorexia / anorexics are indeed taken more seriously with regards to the problem.

When it's only them to blame.

Anorexia is also a self loathing illness. If an anorexic dies they only have themselves to blame.

I've read some utter absurb and posts full of complete drivel on here - I regret to say Beastie: your post here beats every single one of them hands down on the 'what a lot of complete nonsense' front.

[MTVN]

I suppose an anorexic appears a lot more vulnerable than an obese person, I've certainly never considered obese people on the same level as an anorexic. In a way it makes sense but I do still think it's hard to feel sympathy for someone who is hugely overweight when there are millions of people dying of starvation, or havent got enough to eat

[lostalex]

It does occur to me that obesity can be a long-term lifestyle choice in many cases, whereas starving yourself to death is a form of body dysmorphia which requires sympathy and intervention for the mental illness. It implies conscious angst rather than a love of food and fun over years. The two are incomparable and to mention the two extremes in the same breath is silly.

Nobody is going to stop the fatty having the chocolate pudding + enjoying themself at the dinner table while he/she engages with everyone..........I believe it is less torrible if another is not eating, having food issues and/or 'doing a Diana' down the toilet pan in mental anguish.

Actually many obese people do have body dysmorphia. A lot of fat people are in denial about how fat they are, because it usually happens slowly, gaining weight i mean, so they still see themselves as thin, even though they are over weight. Plus there are so many media sources saying "women are supposed to be curvy" justifying being over weight.

[Pyramid*]

Actually many obese people do have body dysmorphia. A lot of fat people are in denial about how fat they are, because it usually happens slowly, gaining weight i mean, so they still see themselves as thin, even though they are over weight. Plus there are so many media sources saying "women are supposed to be curvy" justifying being over weight.

I'm not buying this....... an obese person can still see themselves as thin?

Many obese people are in complete denial about the amount of food that they eat, but they still are more than aware that they are obsese - they will argue blind about how little they eat, and the type of foods that they eat. Many more than admit to it being 'a comfort, makes them feel good/better' - they are aware they are obsese.

[lostalex]

I'm not I'm buying this....... an obese person can still see themselves as thin?

Many obese people are in complete denial about the amount of food that they eat, but they still are more than aware that they are obsese - they will argue blind about how little they eat, and the type of foods that they eat. Many more than admit to it being 'a comfort, makes them feel good/better' - they are aware they are obsese.

have you ever been obese?

[Pyramid*]

have you ever been obese?

I don't have to be obese to have a viewpoint.

[lostalex]

I don't have to be obese to have a viewpoint that simply doesn't match yours.
I didn't ask you to agree. But the way you spoke, you sounded very authoritative about the issue, so i was wondering if you had personal experience. just wondering.

[Pyramid*]

I didn't ask you to agree. But the way you spoke, you sounded very authoritative about the issue, so i was wondering if you had personal experience. just wondering.

Fair comment - I'll take the few words back.

One doesn't have to have had a personal experience. That's akin to saying a doctor for example, could not possibly have any indepth knowledge or understanding in how anorexics suffer/view themselves/use their illness as a form of control, if said doctor hadn't had their own personal experience.

As for me sounding very authoritative - I'm straght to the point most times, to the point of being blunt. I also have happen to find these things interesting - what makes the mind and the human psyche tick etc.

(Contrary to popular belief by some (not you), I honestly don't spend all my time faffing about on Tibbs - I sort of view this as the 'dead zone' - rest time for my own brain!!). :hugesmile:

[lostalex]

My mom was always struggling with her weight, and she was the most hard working person i've ever known. My brother is the skinniest person i've ever known, and he's one of the laziest people i've ever seen.

I don't think being over weight has anything to do with gluttony or laziness. That's just my own personal experience though.

[Pyramid*]

My mom was always struggling with her weight, and she was the most hard working person i've ever known. My brother is the skinniest person i've ever known, and he's one of the laziest people i've ever seen.

I don't think being over weight has anything to do with gluttony or laziness. That's just my own personal experience though.


Absolutely correct. Everycase is different. However, given the extremes between anorexia and obesity - I don't think being 'overweight or really skinny' can be compared to the extremes.

[joeysteele]

I'm not buying this....... an obese person can still see themselves as thin?

Many obese people are in complete denial about the amount of food that they eat, but they still are more than aware that they are obsese - they will argue blind about how little they eat, and the type of foods that they eat. Many more than admit to it being 'a comfort, makes them feel good/better' - they are aware they are obsese.

Very informed and totally correct statement, Obese epeople do know they are overweight,its as you say they won't admit the reasons they are,as in how much they eat as you point out for one example.
Well said.

[Pyramid*]

Very informed and totally correct statement, Obese epeople do know they are overweight,its as you say they won't admit the reasons they are,as in how much they eat as you point out for one example.
Well said.

Thanks Joey. I recall years ago, watching a documentary - iirc, it was a teenager or a young adult. They/their mother replaced regular crisps with 'low fat' crisps -(they continued to munch their way through a dozen packs a day or so, but it was okay, coz they were eating 'low fat' varieties). Instead of thick chocolate biscuits, they stocked up on 'non choc' biscuits, instead of enough fried breakfast to feed 6 people, they moved to grilling - and reduced (for example) the 6 bacon rashers, tin of beans, 4 eggs, 5 sausages, 4 slices of toast - to about 3 bacon, 1/2 tin of bean, 2 eggs, 3 saus, 2 slices of toast - then had two bowls of cereal afterwards...... and let the kid eat their way through kilos of fruit via constant snacking all day.

The dieticians, nutrtionists, doctors could not get it through to either the child or the mother, that regardless - the amount of food being consumed was still far too much - as well as still being much of the wrong type.

Incredible, ignorant and in complete denial in every sense.

Their argument? He eats healthy food and lots of it

[tmi]

Thanks Joey. I recall years ago, watching a documentary - iirc, it was a teenager or a young adult. They/their mother replaced regular crisps with 'low fat' crisps -(they continued to munch their way through a dozen packs a day or so, but it was okay, coz they were eating 'low fat' varieties). Instead of thick chocolate biscuits, they stocked up on 'non choc' biscuits, instead of enough fried breakfast to feed 6 people, they moved to grilling - and reduced (for example) the 6 bacon rashers, tin of beans, 4 eggs, 5 sausages, 4 slices of toast - to about 3 bacon, 1/2 tin of bean, 2 eggs, 3 saus, 2 slices of toast - then had two bowls of cereal afterwards...... and let the kid eat their way through kilos of fruit via constant snacking all day.

The dieticians, nutrtionists, doctors could not get it through to either the child or the mother, that regardless - the amount of food being consumed was still far too much - as well as still being much of the wrong type.

Low fat is not always a good alternative has they have a high sugar level in
Incredible, ignorant and in complete denial in every sense.

Their argument? He eats healthy food and lots of it


Low fat is not always a good alternative has they have a high sugar level in time that could have more damaging effect also numeorus fruits too have high sugars although natural sugar, its still sugar, its all about moderation.
People who neglect they children by not feeding them is seen has bad parenting, but people who over feed they kids think they do no harm, in most cases the parents themsleves were taught bad habits, bit like history repeating themselves.

[lostalex]

Thanks Joey. I recall years ago, watching a documentary - iirc, it was a teenager or a young adult. They/their mother replaced regular crisps with 'low fat' crisps -(they continued to munch their way through a dozen packs a day or so, but it was okay, coz they were eating 'low fat' varieties). Instead of thick chocolate biscuits, they stocked up on 'non choc' biscuits, instead of enough fried breakfast to feed 6 people, they moved to grilling - and reduced (for example) the 6 bacon rashers, tin of beans, 4 eggs, 5 sausages, 4 slices of toast - to about 3 bacon, 1/2 tin of bean, 2 eggs, 3 saus, 2 slices of toast - then had two bowls of cereal afterwards...... and let the kid eat their way through kilos of fruit via constant snacking all day.

The dieticians, nutrtionists, doctors could not get it through to either the child or the mother, that regardless - the amount of food being consumed was still far too much - as well as still being much of the wrong type.

Incredible, ignorant and in complete denial in every sense.

Their argument? He eats healthy food and lots of it

That sounds exactly like anorexia to me...

[Pyramid*]

That sounds exactly like anorexia to me...

Absolutely.


:whistle:



:rolleyes:

[lostalex]

Absolutely.


:whistle:



:rolleyes:

you don't see how replacing the words too much, with too little would be exactly applicable to anorexics?

I don't you're interested in exploring the concept, i think you're just interested in condemning overweight people.

[Pyramid*]

you don't see how replacing the words too much, with too little would be exactly applicable to anorexics?

Nope. Anorexic don't eat. Obese people eat to much. It's not exactly rocket science or difficult to understand. It is completely different ends of the spectrum.

[lostalex]

Nope. Anorexic don't eat. Obese people eat to much. It's not exactly rocket science or difficult to understand. It is completely different ends of the spectrum.

that's like saying having brain cancer is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT to having cancer in the marrow of your leg bones. OMG the cancer is on totally different ends of the body, so it's not comparable at all!


The fact is, both over-eating, and anorexia are both eating disorders, and all eating disorders are part of the disease of Addiction.

Over-eating and Anorexia and Bulimia are all the same disease. They are all eating disorders and they all fall under the same umbrella of Addiction.

...and yes, Addiction is a MEDICAL DISEASE.

[Pyramid*]

that's like saying having brain cancer is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT to having cancer in the marrow of your leg bones. OMG the cancer is on totally different ends of the body, so it's not comparable at all!


The fact is, both over-eating, and anorexia are both eating disorders, and all eating disorders are part of the disease of Addiction.

Over-eating and Anorexia and Bulimia are all the same disease. They are all eating disorders and they all fall under the same umbrella of Addiction.


Let's be honest here Alex, you are really losing the thrust and intricate nature of this discussion aren't you.

Obesity is not always an 'eating disorder'. Anorexia and bulimia are however. So no, they do not 'all fallunder the same umbrella as addiction'.

[lostalex]

Okay, well we're getting no where in this conversation, so i agree we don't really have much left to say. I think i've been fairly frank and did my best to educate anyone who wished to listen.

[Pyramid*]

Okay, well we're getting no where in this conversation, so i agree we don't really have much left to say. I think i've been fairly frank and did my best to educate anyone who wished to listen.


It 'sounds' like there may be something in the topic that may (or may not) be hitting nerves or a little unsettling - it happens to us all with different topics and it's sometimes diificult to not get 'too involved' or 'too caught up in the moment' (if that makes sense). I'm sure there will be others who may agree with your points.

[tmi]

Not getting involved in argument but, just a little story a woman had a gastric band in America to stop her bad eating habits, the band worked and she lost weight but then gained another addiction booze. So I think food is addiction to some people, they see it has a crutch like various other addictions, cigarettes, drugs etc. Most peoples bad eating habits stem from emotional or physical problems. The way to go is eat to live not eat to live.

Sort the cause of eating too much solve the overeating and the neccesity of it.

People whom never had a problem with food either not eating or eating will never fully understand, not being patronising just my own opnion.

[Pyramid*]

Not getting involved in argument but, just a little story a woman had a gastric band in America to stop her bad eating habits, the band worked and she lost weight but then gained another addiction booze. So I think food is addiction to some people, they see it has a crutch like various other addictions, cigarettes, drugs etc. Most peoples bad eating habits stem from emotional or physical problems. The way to go is eat to live not eat to live.

Definately there may indeed by psychological issues in respect of the overeater. Some are compulsive, some have rare medical conditions stemming from the brain, and some are simply obese through not gving a damn. You're right in the use of the word 'some'.

[Zippy]

...and yes, Addiction is a MEDICAL DISEASE.

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...

[tmi]

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...

The difference is you have to eat. So no avoidance.

[Pyramid*]

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...

A very pertinent point - and one in which I tend to completely agree with in the main.

I don't buy into the 'alcoholism' being an illness for example.

[Zippy]

The difference is you have to eat. So no avoidance.

I don't see anorexia as an addiction.

If you're talking about obesity then you do not have to avoid food; you make better choices and eat better portions. Its not all or nothig. And there's no shortage of healthy eating advice out there.

[lostalex]

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...


by your logic cancer is not a medical disease eigther then, because many people claim to have cured themselves through holistic herbal rememdies and stuff.

Addiction has nothing to do with willpower. Addiction is like diabetes. you can manage it through a strict regime, but it is incredibly difficult. But you cannot choose to be an addict, just like you cannot choose to be a diabetic.

[Pyramid*]

The difference is you have to eat. So no avoidance.

That's an extremely intesting point tmi. Very.

[lostalex]

I don't see anorexia as an addiction.

If you're talking about obesity then you do not have to avoid food; you make better choices and eat better portions. Its not all or nothig. And there's no shortage of healthy eating advice out there.


well it doesn't matter "how you see it" we're talking about facts and medical science. And it's been proven over and over again, that anorexics and bulimics are able to release pleasure hormones into the brain through either restricting (in the case of anorexics) or binging/purging (in the case of bulimics) the same pleasure hormones released in the brains of gambling addicts when they gamble, or sex addicts when they have sex. It is an addiction, medically. Whether you choose to believe it or not.

[Pyramid*]

by your logic cancer is not a medical disease eigther then, because many people claim to have cured themselves through holistic herbal rememdies and stuff.

Addiction has nothing to do with willpower. Addiction is like diabetes. you can manage it through a strict regime, but it is incredibly difficult. But you cannot choose to be an addict, just like you cannot choose to be a diabetic.

Let's not compare diseases / illnesses. A person cannot control whether they get cancer - continually using such illnesses is a complete red herring and is throwing the debate completely off the rails. It is not comparable - cancer victims have absolutely no say - none whatsoever.

Anorexics and obese people do have control. And that is the very point - many anorexics have psychological issue whereby they are able to exercise control in what they eat.

that is not alwys the case for those who are obese. Many people end up obese through nothing more than lack of exercise, lack of willpower, and not really giving a damn about how they look. It's only when they max out physcially that some start bleating about 'having an illness, can't help themselves' - when a lot of the time - it comes down to them expecting others to do the hard work for them.

[Zippy]

by your logic cancer is not a medical disease eigther then, because many people claim to have cured themselves through holistic herbal rememdies and stuff.

claim being the key word

herbal remedies are medication anyways.

addiction is psychological first and foremost. Then once your body gets used to a substance it becomes a physical dependency.

[joeysteele]

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...

I go with you near all the way Zippy, however I don't know, lostalex is in the States, maybe addictions are seen as diseases there.

Also in the UK many addictions as to drugs and drinking are dealt with medically,even with no serious illness problems to treat the addiction and minimise it and then get them off it.
Of course as you say, the addictions do most often lead to serious health matters and then it is an alcohol or drug related medically recognised disease.

I help out,only an hour a week at an addictions centre and no 2 people are the same, you can have 8 people with the same addiction but will often need to apply totally different plans for each of them.

Getting people to admit they have a problem whether that's drugs, drinking or any eating disorders is the real hardest part.

[Pyramid*]

well it doesn't matter "how you see it" we're talking about facts and medical science. And it's been proven over and over again, that anorexics and bulimics are able to release pleasure hormones into the brain through either restricting (in the case of anorexics) or binging/purging (in the case of bulimics) the same pleasure hormones released in the brains of gambling addicts when they gamble, or sex addicts when they have sex. It is an addiction, medically. Whether you choose to believe it or not.

some of us are talking about facts and medical science lostalex. Given your comment earlier about 'over-eating being a disease'... I think it's reasonable to say that you aren't talking facts and medical science.

you seem to be completely unwilling to accept that many people who are overweight / obsese - manage to get to that stage because they simply overeat - they know they overeat, they know they are overweight - they simply don't take action because they don't care.

Good god...you only have to look around you at the amount of people who are very overweight in the western world - through eating junk food, being lazy and using convenience foods, slouching around, not taking exercise, not taking care of their own bodies. Are you seriously inferring that the vast majority of these people have 'psychological issues / addictions'.

If so... god help the world - if so many are so 'ill'.

[Pyramid*]

I go with you near all the way Zippy, however I don't know, lostalex is in the States, maybe addictions are seen as diseases there.

Also in the UK many addictions as to drugs and drinking are dealt with medically,even with no serious illness problems to treat the addiction and minimise it and then get them off it.
Of course as you say, the addictions do most often lead to serious health matters and then it is an alcohol or drug related medically recognised disease.

I help out,only an hour a week at an addictions centre and no 2 people are the same, you can have 8 people with the same addiction but will often need to apply totally different plans for each of them.

Getting people to admit they have a problem whether that's drugs, drinking or any eating disorders is the real hardest part.

The word 'problem' being the key. Not an illness...but a problem, that they need to admit, and they need to accept before they are able to progress in tackling their problem.

The epitomy of the difference between anorexia and many of those who are obsese.

[Zippy]

well it doesn't matter "how you see it" we're talking about facts and medical science.

well it doesn't matter "how you see it" either, biatch.

And as for you talking facts and medical science....hahahaha...my sides, my sides!

[joeysteele]

The word 'problem' being the key. Not an illness...but a problem, that they need to admit, and they need to accept before they are able to progress in tackling their problem.

The epitomy of the difference between anorexia and many of those who are obsese.

Again, I agree with you Pyramid. The thing is too, whether it be drinking,drugs or eating disorder problems,by the time the problem is admitted,massive damage to health is already done.

[Pyramid*]

Again, I agree with you Pyramid. The thing is too, whether it be drinking,drugs or eating disorder problems,by the time the problem is admitted,massive damage to health is already done.


Agreed once again...... are we sharing the same brain. :o If so,can I please have 'my half' back again for Monday morning - need it for serious heavy duty work stuff!!


Wise cracks aside: -

The last part you mentioned: when the persons problem results in damage to their health - that I think is part of the 'misconception' in the tag of 'illness'. It's the problem that caused the illness: not the illness that caused the problem.

[joeysteele]

Agreed once again...... are we sharing the same brain. :o If so,can I please have 'my half' back again for Monday morning - need it for serious heavy duty work stuff!!


Wise cracks aside: -

The last part you mentioned: when the persons problem results in damage to their health - that I think is part of the 'misconception' in the tag of 'illness'. It's the problem that caused the illness: not the illness that caused the problem.

On this issue and on several other we do seem to have the same brain :joker: all powers that be help you on that.

At the risk of seeming really more tedious I have to agree again because once a health issue is treated as an illness, from an addiction, the diagnosis is (in the case of alcohol or drugs for instance) alcohol related liver disease or drugs related etc.
It would be recognised officially as being an addiction induced illness,one that normally may not have occurred.

[Pyramid*]

On this issue and on several other we do seem to have the same brain :joker: all powers that be help you on that.

At the risk of seeming really more tedious I have to agree again because once a health issue is treated as an illness, from an addiction, the diagnosis is (in the case of alcohol or drugs for instance) alcohol related liver disease or drugs related etc.
It would be recognised officially as being an addiction induced illness,one that normally may not have occurred.


Okay.. Now that we have solved the world's problems and sorted out the forum's differnces between addictions, physical illnessess and psychological orders.... what next !!

[Vicky.]

I'm not buying this....... an obese person can still see themselves as thin?


No more odd than an anorexic viewing themselves as fat

[Pyramid*]

No more odd than an anorexic viewing themselves as fat

I disagree. The physicalities alone, not being able to walk up stairs without getting breathless, having to go out and purchase bigger sized - oversize clothing showing sizes like 22/24/26, not being able to do basic every day tasks due to their weight restricting them, not being able to fit into airplane seats, having to be assisted in washing, getting dressed etc in the more extreme cases... I'd personally think there were far more signs that the person was obese than just looking in a mirror and seeing a distored visoin to realising that they are fat/obese.

[Vicky.]

I disagree. The physicalities alone, not being able to walk up stairs without getting breathless, having to go out and purchase bigger sized - oversize clothing showing sizes like 22/24/26, not being able to do basic every day tasks due to their weight restricting them, not being able to fit into airplane seats, having to be assisted in washing, getting dressed etc in the more extreme cases... I'd personally think there were far more signs that the person was obese than just looking in a mirror and seeing a distored visoin to realising that they are fat/obese.

Maybe thin is the wrong word. I would think most dont know quite how big they look.

I have never been obese, but a few years back I put on quite a lot of weight. And I didnt even know about it, I still looked the same to myself in the mirror, until I saw a photo. So I would think thats not too uncommon :/


Plus, with what you say about physical problems too...that could also apply to anorexics. Surely they notice that the feel faint all the time, have no energy, have to buy childrens clothes if they want them to fit properly etc ;)

[Pyramid*]

Maybe thin is the wrong word. I would think most dont know quite how big they look.

I have never been obese, but a few years back I put on quite a lot of weight. And I didnt even know about it, I still looked the same to myself in the mirror, until I saw a photo. So I would think thats not too uncommon :/


Perhaps, but I really honestly can't take on board seriously that when a person puts on weight, has to go out and start buying bigger sizes - that they don't realise they are putting on weight or didn't even know it. they might not realise quite how big they are - but they certainly know they are getting bigger.

it's not until the lose the weight that they are able to see HOW fat / how overweight they had become: but as I say: they (not getting at you, I mean generally) - there is no gettng away from the fact that having to buy clothes in bigger sizes - tell the person that they are getting fatter.

[Zippy]

I have never been obese, but a few years back I put on quite a lot of weight. And I didnt even know about it, I still looked the same to myself in the mirror, until I saw a photo. So I would think thats not too uncommon :/


I don't think a lot of fat people realise how big they are until they see a picture or video of themselves. Looking in the mirror day to day you don't register the very gradual growth in weight. But you only look at a picture every once in a while so the growth is far more apparent.

Im always grateful Im not prone to piling on weight because I have a very sweet tooth.

[InOne]

It's such a sad thing, I've wanted to shake people and tell them they're not fat and look good. But sadly it doesn't work. A lot of people take a "pull your socks up" attitude which is not good. Think it still has massive stigma which hope can go away some day to a degree

[Pyramid*]

I don't think a lot of fat people realise how big they are until they see a picture or video of themselves. Looking in the mirror day to day you don't register the very gradual growth in weight. But you only look at a picture every once in a while so the growth is far more apparent.

Im always grateful Im not prone to piling on weight because I have a very sweet tooth.

I still say it's a cop out. If having to buy bigger clothing, seeing your clothes size go up and having to buy larger sizes isn't an obvious clue .... then I don't know what is.


It's such a sad thing, I've wanted to shake people and tell them they're not fat and look good. But sadly it doesn't work. A lot of people take a "pull your socks up" attitude which is not good. Think it still has massive stigma which hope can go away some day to a degree


That's the heartbreaker as far as anorexia is concerned. It more than 'give yourself a shake' ... it is so far mroe deeply rooted than that and it's an incredibly difficult illness to recover from (and maintain recovery from).

[tmi]

I don't see anorexia as an addiction.

If you're talking about obesity then you do not have to avoid food; you make better choices and eat better portions. Its not all or nothig. And there's no shortage of healthy eating advice out there.


Bib to make it bit clearer my fault ,people who are obese most of them have a addiction to overeating .some might have bad parents who supposedly should give theyre children the advice on over eating but they dont so therefore bad habits evolve.In most cases you can see the child the same shape as parents therefore they are alike in eating habits.
Tbh I have terrible eating habits my self skipping meals and eating crap, but I do exercise and always give my children breakfast and dinner so they have a better routine so they wont have my bad habits.

Anorexia I would say is a control matter for some like they cannot control the
bad things that happen in life but they can control they're eating. Just my opnion.
So there fore the sufferer has control on their life the eating habits.

[patsylimerick]

Bib to make it bit clearer my fault ,people who are obese most of them have a addiction to overeating .some might have bad parents who supposedly should give theyre children the advice on over eating but they dont so therefore bad habits evolve.In most cases you can see the child the same shape as parents therefore they are alike in eating habits.
Tbh I have terrible eating habits my self skipping meals and eating crap, but I do exercise and always give my children breakfast and dinner so they have a better routine so they wont have my bad habits.

Anorexia I would say is a control matter for some like they cannot control the
bad things that happen in life but they can control they're eating. Just my opnion.
So there fore the sufferer has control on their life the eating habits.

It's not really about food at all, with anorexia. One piece of advice I'd offer, for what it's worth, is to parents; never make an issue out of food with young children. Me and me old mum used to battle about it daily. From quite a young age food made me ill; the sight of it, the smell of it, the texture. I wanted nourishment in a pill or injection form. I hated 'eating'. We had running battles where I'd be left at the table until I ate and, when I invariably didn't, there'd be tears, recriminations and punishment. I'm nearly 5'8" and when I was 23 I weighed about six and a half stone. I could go for days without eating and would have just crackers or soup if I had to eat something to stay standing up. It had NOTHING to do with wanting to be thin. In fact, I used to get really irritated when people told me how thin I was. It's very much psychological. What happened with me was I settled into a profession and settled into a relationship and found some kind of contentment that took away my aversion to food and eating. It's been a while now and I've never gone back to being underweight - could stand to lose a half stone or so, but that's fine. I'm healthy. Obesity is entirely unrelated, IMO.

[Mystic Mock]

That's not what I'm saying. I said we shouldn't slap a label of 'mental illness' on people who are obese, or suggest that people that turn to food as a comfort is the other side of the coin - and therefore the same - as anorexia.

Weight gain is often based on being unhappy and the use of food as a happiness-booster. Anorexia, as I understand it, is more of a control issue.

Obesity is food-led. Anorexia is body shape-led.

Most overweight people feel unhappy when they look in the mirror. Anorexics want to be thin. Obese people do not want to be fat.

Not all Anorexics are mentally ill either,just look at some of the tv stars that only go Anorexic because the writers of these shows basically tell them they have to lose weight to get more roles.

I agree with Livia that Overweight people and Anorexics should be getting the same sympathy and should be treated as seriously.

[patsylimerick]

Not all Anorexics are mentally ill either,just look at some of the tv stars that only go Anorexic because the writers of these shows basically tell them they have to lose weight to get more roles.

I agree with Livia that Overweight people and Anorexics should be getting the same sympathy and should be treated as seriously.

It's not that they 'go anorexic'; they lose a lot of weight. Stupidly. I don't think you can compare this malarkey of starving yourself for a role with what is a serious medical condition. It's no less alarming, but it's a different phenomenon.

[joeysteele]

Not all Anorexics are mentally ill either,just look at some of the tv stars that only go Anorexic because the writers of these shows basically tell them they have to lose weight to get more roles.

I agree with Livia that Overweight people and Anorexics should be getting the same sympathy and should be treated as seriously.

I think you raise a point there jf,in that when not celebrities generally most(not all) people are likely happy with how they are and look, once in the public eye,often reviews and promoters etc comments can cause someone to look at themselves.

I recall reading and watching the story of Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters duo) who it seemed was fine until stardom came, I forget the wording but after a live show a reviewer praised the duo but described Karen as Richards plump ( or some other word) Sister.
After reading that she became obsessed with her weight and getting it off, so much so that naturally her health suffered greatly. It is believed the reason she died so young too was from effects and complications of her anorexia.

So you make a valid point, in that once in the spotlight,what others say carelessly can end up with someone adopting a very unhealthy lifestyle and develop life threatening eating disorders.

I know very little about this person as fact but read a bit about her and also after being called 'tubby' a singer who was a child star, Lena Zavaroni, also went down the drastically losing weight anorexic path and also I believe died very young.

[CharlieO]

cetainy not ano
just had maccas and 6 choco croissants lo.

[patsylimerick]

I think you raise a point there jf,in that when not celebrities generally most(not all) people are likely happy with how they are and look, once in the public eye,often reviews and promoters etc comments can cause someone to look at themselves.

I recall reading and watching the story of Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters duo) who it seemed was fine until stardom came, I forget the wording but after a live show a reviewer praised the duo but described Karen as Richards plump ( or some other word) Sister.
After reading that she became obsessed with her weight and getting it off, so much so that naturally her health suffered greatly. It is believed the reason she died so young too was from effects and complications of her anorexia.

So you make a valid point, in that once in the spotlight,what others say carelessly can end up with someone adopting a very unhealthy lifestyle and develop life threatening eating disorders.

I know very little about this person as fact but read a bit about her and also after being called 'tubby' a singer who was a child star, Lena Zavaroni, also went down the drastically losing weight anorexic path and also I believe died very young.

That level of scrutiny can probably trigger a predisposition, but the predisposition would have to be there in the first place. I think gaining/losing ridiculous amounts of weight for a role is different, though; that's just vanity and stupidity.

[joeysteele]

That level of scrutiny can probably trigger a predisposition, but the predisposition would have to be there in the first place. I think gaining/losing ridiculous amounts of weight for a role is different, though; that's just vanity and stupidity.

That is true,it still happens though.

[patsylimerick]

That is true,it still happens though.

Sadly, yes. The Bridget Jones thing always made me a bit sad. Here was this woman heralded as a champion of the 'normal' but still incredibly sexy women who, we all knew as we were watching the movie, went to shocking lengths to return to resembling a blonde lollipop in the weeks after shooting finished. Quite disturbing, really. OK, she could have done with being a little lighter than she was in Bridget Jones, but Renee Zellwegger appears to believe that 'emaciated' is the better look. Depressing stuff.

[Livia]

I can see why you are a Tory assistant playing with misquotes or half quotes - good luck with you on that Livs


I am not a "Tory assistant", I am a political agent.

[hannah.]

not all people who suffer from eating disorders are disgustingly skinny. I've never been fully diagnosed because my periods didn't stop and I stayed at a certain BMI.
But anyway, its not something that you can just 'recover from'. It still haunts me and it always will. When you've got so used to thinking in a certain way it's impossible to rewire your brain. I can't eat in front of people unless I really trust them

[lostalex]

not all people who suffer from eating disorders are disgustingly skinny.

That's right. The vast majority of people with eating disorders are average or over weight. In the eating disorder community, it is only a small minority of people that are actually dangerously under weight.