But the morbidly obese are more ostracized by society than the anorexic.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Maybe I'm missing something but how is this a 'but' to my post?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Obesity gets just as much negative/serious attention as anorexia, just in a more public way, rather than a medical way.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

My point was that binge eating disorders are not taken as seriously (or often even considered) as compared to anorexia.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think that's because anorexia is ONLY an eating disorder. Obesity can be genetic and have to do with no exercise and any number of things.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Actually anorexia, along with bulimia and Ednos are also caused by genetic makeup and brain chemicals. These eating disorders aren't caused solely by a need to be thin, but other factors like perfectionism, mental disorders, stress and anxiety. Its not "only an eating disorder." its a deadly disease.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think what they mean is that even if it's caused by genes and chemicals anorexia nervosa still an eating disorder, and can only be called such. It's not a body type or weight, it's a disease. On the other hand, obesity is not an eating disorder, but it can be the effect of one (Compulsive Over-Eating).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

@notmuchnotmuch I'm speaking more in terms of anorexia vs. a binge eating disorder rather than anorexia vs. obesity in general. What someone looks like is of course not a definitive indicator as to whether or not someone has an eating disorder (although the post is also about the difference between the assumptions people make about extremely thin individuals and the assumptions people make about extremely overweight individuals).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I know what you mean. I agree also. I'm just saying that I think a lot of it has to do with people's assumptions that all obese people are the way they are for reasons they could have controlled. And second anon, you're right. I didn't mean only an eating disorder as in it is not a big deal. I wasn't downplaying it by any means. Another reason why I think obesity isn't considered an eating disorder at first glance or whatever is because people associate eating disorders with achieving perfection in appearance.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"people associate eating disorders with achieving perfection in appearance." I know no one who thinks (at least to the extent of my knowledge) that way >_>

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Actually that's a good point; I also know a lot of people who make that association, although it's totally wrong. Looking perfect may be a contributing factor, but its hardly the most important characteristic of eating disorders.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Everytime I have ever learned about or heard of someone having an eating disorder, it was attributed, at least in small part, to thinking self worth was not high enough.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I agree with you completely. There's a difference between trying to look perfect and disliking/hating yourself though.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

We had this lady come into my health class for a project who suffered from being anorexic. She didn't do it to look more "beautiful" or that she "hated" herself, she KNEW she was thin already, but, it's how she coped with all the things going in her life. Her mother died and she had to take over being the woman in the house taking care of the kids so she went to starving herself and became obessed with excersizing.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Looking beautiful often isn't involved at all, and when it is, it plays a small role.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

When I had an eating disorder it was because I felt I wasn't good enough for other people and by looking thinner, they would accept me more. So sue me, I thought they had something to do with aesthetics.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I didn't say it always had nothing to do with aesthetics, I say it played a small role. The bigger picture was that you didn't feel good enough. Idk it's different for everybody... sorry if it seemed like I was making assumptions. I just hate the misconception that everybody with an eating disorder is just trying to be pretty because then you get advice like "you can do it the healthy way" when that's really not what it's about.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah. I understand!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm the 1st anon and currently recovering from an eating disorder. most people don't truly know the horror bs obsessiveness of an eating disorder. I'm just trying to get the word out of it's seriousness and causes because I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Which eating disorder?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Anorexia

by Anonymous 13 years ago

This doesn't relate much but I wanted to tell a story about my aunt. She has anorexia for years. She had to go to the hospital. She spent a few months in there. She had to take so many extremely strong steroids. When I visited her in the hospital, her skin was literally gray, she looked 70, and her hair looked old too. She used to be one of the most beautiful women I knew. After a few months in the hospital, she was allowed to take a day off and go home and gradually she got a bit better. It's a miracle she survived. But she's still gray and weak. Two of her fingers didn't have blood circulating though them so they were amputated. She had a stroke. To this day, the doctors don't know what was wrong with her. There's no condition like that. Even now, our family thinks shes gonna die. Whats worse? My cousin, her daughter, is on the same path. She considers eating a "chore." I just wanted to put that out there.

by Anonymous 13 years ago