Editors’ Note: We have asked our clinical staff to respond to a recent study suggesting that certain web sites may be undermining eating disorder treatment and complicating recovery from these serious illnesses. The author, Dr. Rebecca Seifert, is a family therapist at Kartini Clinic.
Ahhh…the Internet – a delightful resource full of information to provide for your every want, need, and whim…but what if your wants and needs are controlled by a chronic illness?
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University explored “Pro Ana” and “Pro Mia” sites. Pro Ana (“pro” anorexia) and Pro Mia (“pro” bulimia) websites provide “how to” information for practicing your eating disorder more effectively. Most of the hype is directed toward the use of extreme methods, and there is usually no mention of a possibility of effective eating disorder treatment.
At Kartini Clinic our eating disorders treatment team frequently cautions patients and their families that online forums aimed at children and young adults with eating disorders ? far from being supportive — are often just opportunities to learn extreme behaviors and “compare notes.”
Like the researchers involved in this study (Borzekowski, Sacker; American Journal of Public Health, June 17, 2010), we believe it is important to meet the needs of patients visiting these sites in other, healthier ways. First: explore why your child might want to visit a site like this. For example, it is common for people to want to connect with other people whom they perceive to be “like them.” They may think no one understands them and may struggle with self worth. In any case, parents would be advised to find out why their children are reviewing these sites, in as non-threatening a way as possible. We strongly feel that it is vastly preferable for your child to gain support from their immediate friends and family than from anonymous “sufferers” on the web, many of whom do not even want to get well or “lose their eating disorder.”
Another area of concern to us is that pictures and comments displayed on these sites can be triggers for those struggling with eating disorders and worsen their own symptoms. Whether such bloggers are discussing the behaviors that they are engaging in or are discussing their weight, shape, or size (or former weight, shape or size), this can be extremely triggering for someone who is struggling with their own self-image.
It is important to realize, however, that while these sites have the power to influence negatively, eating disorders cannot be caused or created merely by reading about them. It is possible, however, to trigger an emerging eating disorder, enhance or worsen the way an already active eating disorder is experienced.
So beware: connections to Pro Ana and Pro Mia sites pop up in all areas of the internet, whether you are actively researching eating disorders, examining new fashion trends, or just facebooking with friends. We recommend our patients avoid “trigger” sites like these as much as possible. It may also be best for parents to monitor or restrict entirely their children’s access to the Internet, especially early in recovery.
