Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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MermaidSinger 06/03/2008

Hello all.

Now I don't mean this to be offensive in any way, shape, or form, but I have a problem and I would like to put it out there.

Does anybody feel peeved when they get newsfeeds of people adding pictures that are pretty much thinspo? Now, obviously, that doesn't mean normal photos of skinny girls. What I'm talking about are the pictures that don't even show faces, just stomachs or body parts, with titles such as "I'm sooooo fat" and "do I look skinny?"

I realize these girls may not know that what they're doing isn't helpful to them or us, but I was wondering if there was any way I could politely address this? Maybe I'm overreacting, I don't know, but I just want to make sure DS remainds a RECOVERY site, not a place for eating disordered people to go to as fuel for their fire.

deleted_user 06/03/2008

Hi Ya, We have had this issue before and I seem to remember that I sent a polite hug message asking them to refrain from posting pictures that were upsetting, others however have taken matters into their own hands and been reported to Doug, I would try a friendly note just to say "your pictures are upsetting me and it may do others" if they become offensive and refuse, report them to Doug. I totally agree we want this to be a safe haven for recovery and not provocation.

MermaidSinger 06/03/2008

thank you fane!!!
sometimes I worry that I may be overreacting to things, but if the voice of reason agrees with me, then so be it! :P

Coley1989 06/03/2008

I hate it so much. It is soo triggering for me to see that. I try not to let it bother me but, it does and I feel that people should stop waving their problem so bluntly like that. It is hurting others and not at all helpful for those, like myself, whom are in the midst of getting on the right track!!

ironicgirl 06/03/2008

Yeah it does trigger, but at the same time I acknowledge the fact that its freedom of expression. My main concern for them is are they ready to get better though?

Coley1989 06/03/2008

Ya know I am all for freedom speech, BUT have some regard for those who are around you!! What people 'express' affects others around them!!

deleted_user 06/04/2008

Well for me the point is, if this were an alcohol recovery site would it be helpful to have pictures of bottles of alcohol on, I know we have the adverts but they are not put on by the users are they, and they are essential to the funding of the site. We know what a malnourished body looks like we dont need remninding of how near death some people are.

deleted_user 06/04/2008

I'm a new member to this group and joined because it is a recovery site and not a pro ED site. I have been looking for on-line support for a while, as there is no one in my 'real life' that I can confide in. For some time the only sites I came across were pro ED sites that were just dragging me further down a dangerous path. I'm grateful for the fact that, from my initial look around this site, recovery is the main focus rather than promoting what is a serious disease.

deleted_user 06/04/2008

I have had the same thoughts as this is where i came for recovery. And i do find these images triggering, even though they probably don't relaise it. I have just answered a post about pro-ana sites, and i tried to use them for support, and they helped to an extent, but obviosuly were also damaging to my recovery, so when i found this site is when i began to seriously think about and try to recover. But i still struggle massively on a day to day basis. So i want to avoid triggers as much as poss!

deleted_user 06/04/2008

Yeah I have noticed that too- I'm glad someone else did! Thanks for bringing it up.

deleted_user 06/04/2008

I don't think it productive to have pictures of "thin body parts" on any profile who is in or trying to recover. I think the point to support groups are to support. Also they are here to provide a safe environment to use your
voice and confront! (respectively)

I think Fane is correct in the way past pictures where addressed. A kind message to this person regarding how this makes you feel could be all it takes to make this stop.

However, taking down one picture off one profile will not change the fact that this is suppose to be a place for people who are or are trying to be in recovery and we all need to respect that!

HUGS to you all!!!

deleted_user 06/04/2008

I agree with you. I think those girls want to hear how skinny they are and aren't really in the right mind for recovery.

deleted_user 06/05/2008

fane is completely right. also the person may not realize that they're "skinny" pic can be triggering, letting them know in a polite way is a reallly good idea.
i know what you are talking about mermaid-i know how that is-and i hate to see those pix, they are triggering for me too. thank you for bringing up this topic.

deleted_user 06/05/2008

I am right there with you. It is very triggering for me. Skinny pics are one thing, but pics that are only of torsos and/or legs are obviously meant to show us HOW skinny someone is....which isn't right for this place of recovery. I really hope clear guidelines are set in place for things like this so we can all get the help we need without having to worry about relapsing.

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