Posted by Racer on April 17, 2007, at 22:53:23
In reply to Fashions in self destruction? Or what?, posted by Declan on April 17, 2007, at 21:13:06
Eating disorders are weird thigns, Declan. There is evidence of the behavior we now call Anorexia Nervosa going back centuries, although it's hard to tell if it's the same underlying pathology. It does sound like it, in many cases, although there was a religious component to it in many of those cases. ("Fasting saints," and that sort of thing.)
What eating disorders are not, though, is a fashion. They are real, biologically based disordrs, with some pretty significant biochemical abnormalities to them. They're also very hard to treat, even with a fair amount of motivation. A study done in North America a while ago found that Anorexia Nervosa was the most stigmatized mental illness, because many people believed it was as simple to cure as "just eat!" It's not.
So, that's my mini-lecture on the subject. It's a topic which I'm happy to discuss, and I don't want you to think this is meant to censor your post here. It's not, because I want you to have this conversation. It's just something I'm a little sensitive about, and I wanted to point out what looked as though it might be a fallacy...
Hi, Dec! It's always good to see you!
poster:Racer
thread:750853
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/eating/20061124/msgs/750894.html