Websites that encourage people to participate in anorexic behaviour
Although it seems preposterous, there are millions of people online who are encouraging each other to be sick. Not only that, they congregate on the Internet to share tips and tricks on being anorexic.
The sites show “thinspiration” pictures of models and celebrities who they admire for their ultra-skinny frames. Examples such as Victoria Beckham, Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie are some of the top-used images.
Also scary is that they give each other advice on how to hide their disorder from family and friends, making it a competition to see who can be the sickest. They compare weight, numbers, calories and, eerily, the number of bones that can bee seen through their skin.
“They’re very tempting on how to be the best at the disorder,” says Dr. Joy Armillay, a nutrition therapist.
“That’s why it’s so important to be in treatment, to recognize and verbalize that they’re issues. When I hear people mentioning them, they’re aware that it isn’t a good thing. Isn’t it frightening that you could have a how-to site for something so bad?”
