On Anorexia

[eskarne]

So I was about to write about how much it annoys me when people react to anorexic women with scorn and contempt. As though it were something they did because they thought it was cool. They are greeted with sneers and derision, when clearly the appropriate reaction to a mental illness is something along the lines of sympathy, or pity, or compassion

Comments

[anonymous]

I understand the reaction though. When people are horrified/disturbed/challenged by something they often end up on the militant defensive. It is hard for a big woman to look at skinny celebs and not feel frustration/challenge etc. When the media yells at women day in, day out that 'skinny' is good and 'fat' is bad, everyone's psyches are messed up. Big and small girls alike. People jump to hate and/ or derision because it's easier to react than to empathize.
I am guilty of this too. I try to be understanding and empathetic, but I can be accused of flippancy -with good reason. I am one who doesn't always think before she spouts forth! I do try to restrain myself, but (as my friends will tell you) it doesn't always work:-)
I've worked on wards full of anorexics, -it is a tragic thing. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. We tend to disassociate that from 'celebrities' though. Celebs are fair game to the media,-as are the rest of us hapless consumers. Humans seem to be content when they have a focus for their frustration. Look at the world wars,-give us someone to hate/despise and we're happier with our little lot. Hm. Better stop before I go on one of 'disgusted with humanity' rants.

-Cath xoxo

[eskarne]

sure, but there's a big difference between skinny, which is a physical attribute, and anorexia, which is a potentially fatal illness. When people accuse the merely skinny of anorexia, as though that were an insult, it helps nobody. We've mostly gotten over using "retard" and "spastic" as an insult, but not this one
Also, the kind of pressure plebs like you and me are under to be skinny is NOTHING compared to the pressure famous women are under.