‘Quod me nutrit, me destruit’; ‘what nourishes me also destroys me’. A powerful proverb hailed by followers of the prevailing online pro-anorexia movement, an underground network of websites that assert anorexia as a lifestyle rather than a disease.
Sites such as Ana’s Underground Grotto, Pretty Thin and Skinny Rocks It have caused much controversy since seizing the media spotlight. Many people perceive the sites as recklessly promoting anorexia, but the pro-ana community claims that their intentions are to support those who are living with an eating disorder, not to encourage the development of one.
The pro-ana homepages have a disclaimer for first time visitors, fiercely stressing against certain individuals entering the site. ‘If you regard anorexia exclusively as a disease, see yourself as the “victim” of an “eating disorder” in need of “recovery”, or are seeking “recovery”, it is strongly suggested that you leave this site immediately’, states the creator of Ana’s Underground Grotto. Such introductions relay a distinct message that the content of these sites is not for the faint hearted. The majority of pro-ana sites offer a ‘Thinspiration Gallery’ for visitors which flaunt pictures of emaciated models and celebrities, with the aim of motivating and triggering people to lose weight. Often, they also provide a ‘TTT’ link which stands for ‘Tips, Tricks and Techniques’, what many loyal members of the pro-ana community regard as an invaluable source of information, whilst those outside of the pro-ana sphere consider it to be absolutely reprehensible. Eating Disorder Therapist, Dr. Maria Rago, argues that these sites glamorise eating disorders, and ultimately serve to support and strengthen unhealthy behaviours. She believes that pro-ana websites ‘promote new information about ways to use more and more dangerous methods to lose weight and avoid eating’, claiming that this leads to an increase in the severity and frequency of eating disordered behaviours. One pro-ana site disturbingly suggests tying a piece of dental floss to a sweet, swallowing it, and then pulling the sweet back out to stimulate vomiting. To an outsider this so-called ‘advice’ is unquestionably outrageous- we recognise the potentially fatal consequences of such actions. However, the people who use the sites are so enveloped by their eating disorder that they are often unconcerned by the serious repercussions of employing these techniques. They will take whatever measures necessary to become ‘better’ anorexics as they pursue their quest for perfection. Perfection in thinness.
Browsing the pro-ana websites it is impossible to ignore the distinctly religious overtones. The ‘Ana Psalm’ and ‘Thin Commandments’ are popular features on most of the sites, reminding sufferers ‘Thou shall not eat fattening food without punishing oneself afterwards’. Individuals flood the pro-ana message boards looking for support when temptation strikes. Many of the posts convey an overwhelming sense of fear, and as an outsider not accustomed to the pro-ana outlook, reading them makes the heart sink. Words of comfort are offered from one online friend to another, but unfortunately the ‘helpful’ advice that accompanies them is often grounded in misguided anorexic logic.
It is perhaps the perplexity of this anorexic logic and an ignorance of the complex nature of eating disorders as a whole that has resulted in such negative reactions to the pro-ana sites. Many hateful words and accusations have been targeted towards pro-ana sites but it has been suggested that this only fuels the feelings that encourage eating disorders and makes those struggling feel more attached to the one thing, in their eyes, that will not let them down. Their eating disorder. Those who view pro-ana websites as a sick creation express their disgust at their contents, often abusing pro-ana webmasters and suggesting they shut up and eat a cheeseburger. Perhaps they think this will solve the problem? It won’t. But it highlights society’s obtuseness and a lack of understanding when faced with the harsh reality of anorexia nervosa. The media and people who are removed from the pro-ana community readily condemn pro-ana websites, and perhaps justly so. But do they listen to the individuals who use them? Do the media let them have a voice or do they print a one-sided argument?
The pro-ana community generally recognise that people are enraged by the websites, however they argue that people should not criticise what they don’t understand, something that they have never directly dealt with. Some claim that anorexia is a lifestyle, a choice, and they assert their free right to make that choice, arguing that no one has the right or responsibility to try to change their minds. They establish the pro-ana websites as a place where people in the grips of anorexia can talk about their emotions and concerns with people who can relate to their struggles, without fear of causing distress to their loved ones. It is a place where they can go without being judged, to voice their feelings to people who understand them. So are our eyes opened to another perspective here, where we could consider the pro-ana sites in a different light, as a therapeutic environment? Perhaps people fail to understand what a lonely and depressing existence the life of an anorectic can be?
And what of the censorship of pro-ana sites? Does it do more harm than good? Negative media coverage and public outrage has resulted in many servers shutting down pro-anorexia websites, but this has lead to the sites going underground, protected by passwords and being privately hosted. They still exist but are harder to find. The Social Issues Research Centre says, ‘Censorship of pro-ana sites is inappropriate and ineffective’ and it has simply made those who run them more dedicated and determined. In response to the removal of many of her sister sites, one pro-ana website founder asserts that the pro-ana movement ‘will not stop just because you take away our html’. One medical professional, Dr. David Herzog of the Harvard Eating Disorder Centre, is against censorship, saying that ‘any emotional support anorexics and bulimics can get from one another is better than none - even if it reinforces the very behaviour that puts them at risk’.
Despite the media’s unfavourable reports on pro-ana, surely it cannot go unnoticed that magazines print an abundance of weight loss articles and skeletal models, many of whom feature on ‘Thinspiration’ pages? They themselves seem to promote unnatural levels of thinness, and when individuals try to attain that condition they are criticised. The hypocrisy is sharply evident. The censorship debate will continue, as will the pro-ana websites. Attempting to delete the sites has not deleted the pro-ana community, and as long as they remain we should perhaps avoid judgment and instead we could try to learn from this valuable insight into the anorexic psyche.
