[Stu]

You can condense the entire topic down to this one post :

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Well they've each been proven to be an addiction/disorder so this topic is pointless.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

People can't force people to think the way they do by aggressive put-downs and name-calling - it doesn't work like that!

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

you are just an aggressive twit

Hmm. I think I may leave this thread before being accused of being childish or part of a witch hunt.

[Tom4784]

As for the Wombai stuff, opinion doesn't matter in this topic it's all about fact. I could argue that air doesn't exist until I was blue in the face and say that it's my opinion but it doesn't make me right.

At the end of the day fully trained experts in these fields know a lot more about this then us and if they say it's real and have proved it then what is there to discuss?

[setanta]

I've always believed that you can be genetically predisposed to becoming addicted to alcohol, as you can with depression etc. So no, I think that the root of the problem doesn't detract from the empathy I have towards anyone with these afflictions.

[Angus]

Originally Posted by setanta

I've always believed that you can be genetically predisposed to becoming addicted to alcohol, as you can with depression etc. So no, I think that the root of the problem doesn't detract from the empathy I have towards anyone with these afflictions.

There is also a body of research that has identified a genetic predisposition to anorexia/bulimia. I find it incredible that some people are so dismissive of these serious illnesses which have quite a high mortality rate. To call such sufferers "needy" is incredibly unfeeling. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) is now recognised as a serious chronic condition and to call sufferers "lazy" who are suffering from this is crass to say the least.

I doubt that anyone would want to suffer from an illness that is as debilitating as anorexia or ME, just in order to gain attention, especially as such attention, judging by some of the comments on this thread, are derogatory and unsympathetic.

It is also well known now that some people do have an addictive personality disorder which predisposes their addiction to alcohol/drugs/food/cigarettes etc, and there, but for the grace of god, go you or I.

[setanta]

I'll give you a little example Julia. 4 siblings, all did reasonably well in their lives, with no history of alcoholism with relation to their father, mother or grandparents and yet 3 of them are already dead from alcohol related illnesses and the other is still a heavy drinker. That spells illness to me.

[BB_Eye]

At least alcoholism and anorexia are not illnesses cooked up by charlatans like ME is.