How would you react to finding you like an Anorexic?

[soomsoom]

I recently recovered from an eating disorder; I found my cure in dreams for growth. I had changed schools, yet have encountered the same problem , where fixations have led to people judging my appearance & size. I tend to relapse now and again- this is one of those times -
I would like to know your views, do you find this disorder repulsive?

[EmeraldSky]

No offense girl, but I honestly think most people would be annoyed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being insensitive, but the thing that's annoying about eating disorders is that they are self inflicted. The more you learn about medical problems, diseases, and disorders; the more ungrateful and attention-seeking a female can appear by self-inflicting such damage and emotional pain onto herself. Anyone who's ever worked around elders and/or sick children and has observed their bodies deteriorate and personally seen how helpless they are may sincerely be turned off and annoyed by an Anorexic.

I realize that it's a mental disorder and there's a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Yet, all of the unnecessary, avoidable drama that comes with it is off-putting and exhausting. Many men may agree.

[yawst]

Sorry for down voting you but you are being insensitive and also unknowledgable. I had an rating disorder before and I know how miserable it can be. You're basically mentally torturing yourself. Contrary to your presumption anorexics are not attention seeking. Many anorexics can hide their syndrome successfully for years not wanting anyone to notice. Just because it doesn't have a bodily cause doesn't mean it's not a real disorder. It can be very tormenting

[yawst]

Ok I'm done being mean haha.

[FlyingTurtle]

Ugh, this comment makes me sick. I'm not even going to go here. . .

[EmeraldSky]

yawst, no biggie, I appreciate the honesty and boldness : ) I don't disbelieve that it's not a real disorder, but because it's self-inflicted, it is very annoying to deal with. There are so many awful health issues people have that literately deteriorate their bodies so for someone to put themselves through an eating disorder seems so ungrateful for their blessings. In addition, the constant sad, depressed moods become annoying to deal with yet it is all self-inflicted. They chose to hurt themselves. I know bigger girls who work out and lose weight the healthy way so I see no excuse. Maybe I am being insensitive, but this is my honest opinion.

[EmeraldSky]

@FlyingTurtle, well I'm sorry you feel that way, but I've worked with emaciated refugees who have spent most of their lives malnourished. There are children who weren't fortunate enough to have parents that could provide them with consistent meals. Due to that, it honestly comes off as being ungrateful for your blessings to blatantly neglect your health and starve yourself. Health has immeasurable wealth and an eating disorder will disrupt that... it kind of just seems like spitting in the face of God if you were blessed with a healthy, able body and you tear it down.

[yawst]

Well I think you're just comparing apples to oranges. No one thinks mental disorders are like biological disorder where your flesh is deteriorating away or something. Bodily problems will always have a certain gravity to them that mental ones do not but your idea that Anorexia is some kind of selfish attention seeking thing is not true. I know for myself part of the reason why I became anorexic was because I felt guilty that I had all this food and other people around the world were starving. No matter what people said I told myself that I had to torture myself. I even took cold showers and jumped into prickly bushes because I thought it wasn't enough torture. It is "self-inflicted" but it's not selfish in the typical sense of the word. A biological disorder is more straightforward to deal with because it's happening external to ourselves. That's why mental issues do have a certain stigma in the public and I can understand that. However, I just want to say it's not that simple.

[EmeraldSky]

yawst, you are speaking as if attention seeking is the main focus of my answer when it was just a minor mention. I'm standing by my point. I think eating disorders are selfish and often vain. No, I'm not negating from the fact that there's a legitimate mental disorder, but I'm not also going to baby someone for making a decision to harm their body. I've experienced several corners of the world where people would die for food and it just seems so ungrateful to starve yourself.

[yawst]

Well that's very insensitive and selfish of you to care about the body but not the mind. The brain experiences bodily pain and mental pain the same. If someone is crying out of bodily pain you care but if they are suffering mental pain you suddenly don't and you call them selfish and tell them to grow up. I just see that as rude and contradictory of you shame on you.

[EmeraldSky]

yawst, I didn't say that anyone anorexic needs to grow up. You are taking my answer way too personally.

[yawst]

Well I WAS anorexic once. I was only 14 I didn't know how to control my thoughts. It was a painful time.

[EmeraldSky]

... okay.

[FlyingTurtle]

Anorexia is one of THE most misunderstood illnesses out there. I am so, so sorry for your trials. Let me tell you this much--if you find someone with an open mind who is willing to listen and try to understand, you can educate them on the issues you deal with though and encourage them to handle your struggles with support rather than criticism.

[Bluemax]

I find it makes me feel sad for the person undergoing this disorder. If it were someone I cared for, I would urge them every day to seek help for it because I don't want them to die. If they didn't get help, I might have to cut myself off from this person, because it would be too painful to watch her destroy herself.

[Anonymous]

I would support by means of proactively working in their best interest whether it be getting them into treatment if they are willing or trying to reassure them if they are on the verge of falling to pieces again. It is these times where partnership has real meaning.

[godfatherfan]

I was heavily Bulimic for 11 years. I told my wife about it in 1999 after 6 years of marriage. I still suffer with it just not as bad. It was hard for her to understand. but she helped me find a therapist and supported me as best she can. she was great. Obviously it wouldn't bother me

[Anonymous]

Some people would find it hard to deal with it if they have never been around someone with this problem or any type of problem like that. If you date someone I would let them knw that you have that problem and explain to them your getting help someone who care about you and is interested wouldn't find this repulsive.

[Anonymous]

Aw this is sad : ( If people find this repulsive, then they don't deserve sympathy for anything themselves! A lot of people have self esteem and body issues like you, they just manifest it in different ways, so it wouldn't be fair of people to judge you.

But kudos to you for getting help! You're going to have periods of relapse or when you start to feel bad again, but just remember how far you've come! : )

[teasegirl]

I don't find it repulsive since is clearly a mental issue: I just feel sorry for sick people. It would make me sad knowing one person that I care for has a problem like this. Specially knowing they are slowly killing themselves.

[wendigoRed]

If i clicked with her I would be patient with her, but I would also be trying to get her help.

[yawst]

I don't find it repulsive I find it to be a very tough problem. I hope you get better.