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Pro-ana?

Just wondering if anyone here had any input into the whole pro-ana movement I'm seeing on the web these days. 

I'm NOT looking to get into a debate over whether its good or bad (as people will get waaaayy too upset over that), but I'm looking to understand it from the eyes of a proponent (if there are indeed things to be understood).  Is it a suicidal bonding kind of thing?  Is it actually pro-anorexia, or is it tongue-in-cheek?  Is it meant to be supportive?

I'm just confused.  Anybody got answers?  And again, PLEASE do not turn this into an anorexic-bashing thread, as that is not what I intend to do here.

There are different types with different motives.

They don't encourage people to develop and eating disorder in any way; in fact if you go into one sounding like you're there for tips they usually tell you to leave. Most don't see anorexia as a life style, but as a mental disorder and offer support for those who have the disease, whether they want to recover or not.

That's my 2 cents, just from spending a lot of time looking into it.

Hmmm...well, I can't say that I've seen any "Pro-ana" literature on the web, for I thought those kinds of sites got shut down?  But, I do think it is a major form of bonding for these people.  I mean, literally NO ONE in the world really can tap-in and understand someone going through all of that unless they have been through it or are currently going through it. That's just my belief.  I have been there & suffered through Ana in my teens.  I do think though in some sick way, for those that are suffering through Ana & "coping together" that can be very destructive to one's getting better.  I think they pick up destructive tips that further their illness.......and while one may be giving all the advice in the world for the other to please get better, they don't themselves practice what they preach.  In fact, anorexia is, as I've seen it, a "competetive" illness.  "Oh, she's 75 lbs, and I'm a fat 85 lbs....." that sort of thing.  It is just terrible. 

Thanks for posting a very thought-provoking topic!  :-)

Susan

I think its a way for people who choose the ana lifestyle to suport each other.

EDIT: When I say choose, I mean someone who isnt ready to recover, not someone who wants to be anorexic. Wanted to clear that up.

I want to understand this, so I went looking for information.  This article on Wikipedia seems to cover all aspects of these websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-ana

townes, you *seriously* think those websites are taken down?  ehy're awfully easy to find if you want to see one.

I have personal expiernce with this. I have many times visited these sites. They do not encourage ppl to be anorexic and will not help u  "become anorexic. they wil however support u in anyway u choose to go. Its actually quite like our own great CC just everyone on these pro-ana sites have a different way of looking at weightloss. I feel its wrong to shut them down cause for ppl who dont want to recorver at least they have ppl to talk to bout their problems, ppl who understand because anorexia is sooo complicated u urself almost cant explain it to urself let alone try and explain it to others.

just thought i should say that.

lov ya all :D

I have seen alot of these sites where people compare weight loss, calories and stuff like on here. Alot of "thinspiration videos" are out there too. look them up on youtube.com if you want to see them. These sites arent to help people stop being anorexic, just to help eachother when they feel depressed, pretty much. or give inspiration to lose more weight.

I think it's like a lot of other subcultures, in that it's something people don't often like to talk about in the open.  The people who are into it feel alone, so they go looking for people to share their experiences with.  The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy for people to open up about what they're into, and the fact it can reach people worldwide means more people to interact with.

Unfortunately, there are places online where people with EDs meet up to glorify their subculture rather than look for help with their problems.  But there are some good places, where people can go to get help when they're ready, too.  A lot of the other dangerous sorts of subcultures have few to no such avenues for help.

I know this is an old post, but I just wanted to share my opinion...
I got quite deeply involved in pro-ana last year - the websites and the forums.  The websites, in all honesty, were just something I looked at to read the tips for 'keeping on track' so to speak, I was wanting to lose weight, no matter what the consequences.  They are not particularly competitive, they are not there to inspire people into becoming anorexic, they are designed to 'keep people with anorexia on track', in a way.  Most people with EDs (me included) see them as proof we are not alone, proof that there is a bigger picture.  

Pro Ana forums, however, were the things that provided security for me and others.  They were an escape from reality, and a chance to speak to others. It sounds like rubbish, but a lot of the people on there helped me through some of the hardest times of my life, and I still speak to a couple of them now, a year later. If a girl gets to the stage where she is drastically underweight, they normally get bombarded with 'stay safe' messages. 

However, there is an incredibly sinister side to these too.  I had read about the 2468 diet on the Pro Ana sites, but here you had testimonies, stories of success. Although most of the time there was no direct competition, there was an indirect sense that 'she can lose 5lbs a week, so I can lose 5lbs a week'.  Not good. I think, although the Pro Ana forums in no way gave me an ED, they intensified the feelings I had, and gave me a source from which I could gather the information of how to...I suppose get the most out of my ED. I know that sounds completely wrong, but EDs aren't exactly right, are they?

Pro Ana pages are the most triggering things for me. I avoid them like the plague now.

hey my name is britt. im 15. yeah ive been on acouple pro ana's. they r actually really supportive and gain u some perspective. :)

What sort of perspective does a pro-ana website help you gain? Can you explain more than that, britt?

It just kind of motivates you . But there are some unhealthy perspectives too but the members on the site give you some good work out tips and healthy eating choices.

Like Alicandra, I used to look into the whole pro ana pro mia (bulimia) thing and actually got caught up in it. I went to those sites looking for trouble. I was a chubby child who wanted to just wear a bikini, no matter what. So they "helped in a way", gave me tips. But I was reading things that weren't meant for me. I was on a chat site but as soon as they heard I was "wannalemic" they wanted me out. I dont particularly support them but if you want to do that to yourself no matter what, go ahead. Most of us learn, some of us don't.

I spent a lot of time on pro-ana websites when I was anorexic. I was obsessed with food, weight loss, and because what you're doing is unhealthy you can't talk about that normally. Pro-ana websites are where you can get your guilty pleasure...

And you can talk to people about what you're going through, and not get told to just get help.

Most people on pro-ana websites will get really angry if people without eating disorders come, particulary on forums. Some girls will be really elitist about it..

They further eating disorders, but at the same time they help people with eating disorders not feel so alone...but they do prevent recovery; one of the reasons I didn't want to recover was because I loved being an elitist anorexic. :/ 

I know this is old, I just wanted to give my input. I don't belive their are people who are "pro ana", being anorexic myself, I find that to be a stupid thing. I do however belive in pro ana sites, they are just sites that as gross as it seems, give you the 'tips and tricks'. I find it horrible, really. I would love to just sit down and eat a normal meal, but I can't. 1. my body rejects food now, 2. I get in this whole depressed fit when I eat more than 300 calories. All those pro ana sites give you meal ideas at less than 150 calories, but it's NOT like that! There is not one REAL person with anorexia who will feel ok after eating 150 calories, it doesn't exist! Thos girls are normal kids who either troll those sites, or are just extreme dieters, but I don't think they are REALLY anorexic because they know how bad things are for them, and they spread thier joy! If they ARE really disordred than you know what they say, misery loves company, though few really are. in fact half of the girls on there are just chubby little girls who think that having a disorder is going to solve all their problems, it doesn't. It just adds to them because you lose alot more than weight. Some sites just give girls an oportunity to talk without getting mean comments, though most girls (and boys!) just cheer each other on and pat each other on the back.

Diemannequin, everybody is different and everyone has different experiences. This includes anorectics.

"There is not one REAL person with anorexia who will feel ok after eating 150 calories, it doesn't exist!"

WRONG. Three years ago I was severely anorexic (53 lbs at 4'11" - BMI 10.7), and I was eating 1000 calories a day. I didn't feel "okay" eating it, but I knew I had to in order to live. So, really...think before you type.

Original Post by shout4:

They don't encourage people to develop and eating disorder in any way; in fact if you go into one sounding like you're there for tips they usually tell you to leave. Most don't see anorexia as a life style, but as a mental disorder and offer support for those who have the disease, whether they want to recover or not.

This. "Pro-ana" isn't the correct label in my opinion.
They don't encourage EDs, but if you have one, it's a place to talk to others. & most of the time, if you post about being in recovery & how you're struggling, you'll get a barrage of comments from girls WITH EDs telling you to stay strong & recover. Basically, to do what they feel they can't.

Honestly, I can't tell you how often I'm tempted to go back to one of the pro-ana sites I was constantly on when I had my ED. Especially lately, I've just become insanely curious about how the girls are doing. But it's a huge trigger to me & I'm about 98% sure I'd fall into disordered eating again if I ever went back. I had to delete all the bookmarks & history & all from my computer.

Original Post by skinny__minnie:

anorexic (53 lbs at 4'11" - BMI 10.7), and I was eating 1000 calories a day. I didn't feel "okay" eating it, but I knew I had to in order to live. So, really...think before you type.

 you just said you didn't feel "okay." so there, yeah my best friend was (and still is) and she doesn't even care about eating enough to live, none of the anorexic girls I know do. and it's anorexics not anorectics. Think before you type... Sure you had your own experience, which will stick with you forever, but you JUST said that you didn't feel "okay." thats my point, you don't. But I'm glad you aren't anorexic anymore. :) 

star, your right, it can be a place to talk and confide in somebody(those posting ones anyways, some are just sites with a whole mess of diets, thinspo, triggers, poems, and recepies.) but it can also pull you in deeper.