- Calls to this hotline are currently being directed to Within Health or Eating Disorder Solutions
- Representatives are standing by 24/7 to help answer your questions
- All calls are confidential and HIPAA compliant
- There is no obligation or cost to call
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- Additional treatment providers are located on our directory or samhsa.gov
How to Approach Pro-Ana / Pro-Mia Sites in Eating Disorder Recovery
Everyday we make the decision to engage on social media platforms, we face a choice on how we want to spend our time. The internet and social media platforms are saturated with a plethora of information, and this can often create a sense of overload and overstimulation.
Many websites or social platforms may come across as something positive or supportive, but it is also important to carefully investigate everything you are spending time in and with.
Understanding Pro-Ana / Pro-Mia Websites
Historically, “Pro-Ana”, or “Pro-Mia” sites have been used to condone eating disorder behaviors, some going as far to demonstrate how “to become” anorexic or bulimic, as if an eating disorder is a choice. Websites used in this manner can be extremely harmful and toxic, particular to the person who might be suffering with an eating disorder or susceptible to these mental illnesses. However, some individuals may stumble upon these pages in search of a community to connect with or in hopes of finding other people who might understand what they are going through.
Because eating disorders are incredibly isolating diseases, the internet can often become a tangible way of finding and connecting with other people. Some individuals who might even be in search of help for an eating disorder may find themselves on a page that supports ongoing engagement in eating disorder behaviors.
Leaning on Positive Support
One important key to keep in mind is that online support can never replace the professional assistance, treatment, and intervention that is needed for eating disorder recovery. If you or someone you care for has heavily relied on resources found through the internet for help with what you might be struggling, be sure to connect with an eating disorder professional who can appropriately guide you through treatment.
If you are looking for positive online influences that can help support your recovery efforts, stick with trustworthy sources in the community, like the Eating Disorder Hope Pro-Recovery Movement, the National Eating Disorder Association, Project Heal, and more!
The Impact of the Pro-Recovery Movement Fighting Pro-ana and Pro-mia Sites
The need for a Pro-Recovery Movement to fight the pro-ana and pro-mia sites could not be greater than today.
While an Obesity epidemic runs rampant in America, the deadly Pro-Anorexia/Pro-Bulimia movements have proliferated in cyberspace, influencing vulnerable lives towards fatal eating disorders.
Even with increased awareness and stances against pro-ana/pro-mia websites, blogs, etc, the impact of these powerful movements continues to be seen throughout society. Consider the following statistics to understand how these groups have progressed over the years:
- A survey by Internet security firm Optenet found a 470% increase in pro-ana and pro-mia sites from 2006 to 2007 [1].
- A 2006 survey of eating disorder patients at Stanford Medical School found that 35.5% had visited pro-ana websites. Of those patients, 96% learned new weight loss or purging methods from such sites [2].
- Women who viewed a pro-ana site experienced an increase in negative influence and decreases in self-esteem, perceived attractiveness, and appearance [3].
- In a study of more than 1,500 participants, viewers of pro-ana/pro-mia websites had higher levels of eating and body image disturbances than the control group [4].
- In 2001, the EUKidsonline survey found that 21% of 6 – 11-year-olds had been exposed to one or more sites with harmful user-generated content – 12% hate, 10% anorexia, 7% self-harm, 7% drug taking and 5% suicide [5].
Though many social media giants have responded to the outcry against this rampant trend, these toxic movements continue to flourish, giving the cyberspace generation easy access to thousands of blogs, forums, and images that promote eating disorders.
These websites serve as a trap to those who are vulnerable to developing these lethal diseases by making eating disorders appear glamorous or encouraging people to do things that are harmful to their bodies. At Eating Disorder Hope, we believe that not only should a continued awareness be drawn to these issues but that a movement promoting recovery should be encouraged as well.
The Pro-Recovery Movement is much more than a fad or trend; it is a response to this force of darkness in the online world that is negatively influencing men and women to destructive eating disorder behaviors every day. Why is the Pro-Recovery Movement important? Take it from one of our Pro-Recovery members, who shares her valuable perspective:
“I am an ED researcher, professor, and an expert on AllExperts.com. I hear gut-wrenching stories all the time from men and women who are seeking anonymous advice on how to heal from their eating disorder. The pro-recovery movement is so important to me because I know from my own research the damage media images can do to men and women’s self-esteem and how easy it is to compare oneself to and internalize those images.
I try to combat the harmful influence of pro-ana, pro-mia sites. Sometimes it feels like an uphill battle. Your efforts are so important in the fight against ED. I wish everyone would get involved in the pro-recovery movement because there is not one of us that have been left unscathed by ED.” -Mary E. Pritchard, Ph.D., HHC, Eating Disorder Hope Pro-Recovery Member
The Pro-Recovery movement brings together individuals from every walk of life to celebrate the hope, healing, and freedom that can be found in recovery. The number of men, women, girls, and boys who are suffering go far beyond what statistics can tell us, and by continually standing in support of these precious lives, this message of hope can outlive the façade of despair.
Consider joining the Pro-Recovery Movement today as we are passionate about fighting pro-ana and pro-mia sites and helping eating disorder sufferers find hope, health, and healing.*
*There are no costs or obligations required of our Pro-Recovery Movement members. It is simply a commitment to stand for positive eating disorder recovery online by respecting the Top Ten Tips in your online interactions.
References:
[1]: 2008 International Internet Trends Study, Optenet, 2008-09-24, retrieved 2009-04-10 [2]: Wilson, Jenny; Peebles, Rebecka; Hardy, KK; Litt, IF; Wilson, J L (December 2006), “Surfing for thinness: A pilot study of pro-eating disorder web site usage in adolescents with eating disorders”, Pediatrics 118 (6): e1635–e1643, doi:10.1542/peds.2006-1133, PMID 17142493 [3]: Bardone-Cone, A M; Cass, K M (2007), “What does viewing a pro-anorexia website do? An experimental examination of website exposure and moderating effects”, International Journal of Eating Disorders 40 (6): 537–548, doi:10.1002/eat.20396 [4]: Harper, K., Sperry, S., & Thompson, J. K. (2008). Viewership of pro-eating disorder websites: association with body image and eating disturbances. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41(1), 92-95. [5]: “Virtually Anorexic – Where’s the harm?” http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/news-events/news/virtually-anorexic-%E2%80%93-where%E2%80%99s-harmAbout the authors:
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC – President and Founder of Eating Disorder Hope
Jacquelyn founded Eating Disorder Hope in 2005, driven by a profound desire to help those struggling with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. This passion resulted from her battle with, and recovery from, an eating disorder. As president, Jacquelyn manages Ekern Enterprises, Inc. and the Eating Disorder Hope website. In addition, she is a fully licensed therapist with a closed private counseling practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
Jacquelyn has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from The University of Phoenix and a Masters degree in Counseling/Psychology, from Capella University. She has extensive experience in the eating disorder field including advanced education in psychology, participation and contributions to additional eating disorder groups, symposiums, and professional associations. She is a member of the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), Academy of Eating Disorders (AED), the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).
Jacquelyn enjoys art, working out, walking her golden retriever “Whisky”, reading, painting and time with family.
Although Eating Disorder Hope was founded by Jacquelyn Ekern, this organization would not be possible without support from our generous sponsors.
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on October 9, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
