On the Web

Saying that I have done some research on eating disorders would be an absolute understatement.  Over the past four years I have searched the web for the most reliable sources, and have come across many.  Probably my favorite website is “The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders.” http://www.something-fishy.org/  I was referred to this site by a therapist prior to my entry to the residential treatment center that I went to.  The thing that I love about this site is that it has something for everyone.  It has an in depth look at eating disorders for those who are questioning if their unusual eating patterns would or would not be categorized as an E.D.  An “in memory” link for those who suffered this disorder but did not beat it.  A recovery, and reaching out link which I took full advantage of when I did not have anywhere else to turn.  This site also offers information for family members on how to help their loved ones, which I disclosed to my parents, as they were going about trying to “help” me in all the wrong ways.  A treatment finder for therapists, in-patient, out-patient, and group sessions anywhere in the U.S. based upon the severity of one’s disorder, and they had a quiz to advise people which route they should take in recovery.  A preventions and causes link, as well as other online support one could find outside of this website.  However, probably the biggest thing that drew me into this site was that at the very top, where it still remains, is a slogan that says, “This is a PRO-Recovery website.”  There is nothing on this site that insinuates that eating disorders are “okay” or normal, they are there to help and support someone going through this disease, but do not act as a hand in feeding ones addiction.  Also, this website is updated all the time, I still find myself going to this site, even though I am farther along in my recovery to see any new advice and information that it is offering.  

One of the worst websites that I came across, unfortunately I found while I was still very new in my recovery.  It is a site called, “Pro-Eating Disorder Society,” ran by someone called the Darkpoet.  http://proeatingdisordersociety.yuku.com/  This site offers a lot of information regrettably.  It has an open chat, where one can invite friends to join in and one can instantly chat with others practicing their habits.  Eating habits, where people discuss and ask questions; such as how to reduce cravings to eat, or the “correct” way to purge.  It has a discussion board for recipes and food, and what to eat that has the lowest  amount of calories for making one feel full longer.  A link solely directed towards anorexia, bulimia, and one towards binge-eating disorder.  It also has a link where users can post photo’s of themselves as they lose weight.  These pictures are commented on by fellow E.D. sufferers and encouraged to “keep up the good work.”  It is hard, even now, to see this type of website, as many of those in recovery have a downfall because of people that run and associate with this type of technological activity.

--Jessicca :)

Eating Disorders... Then & Now

I'm sure many people do not know just how far back eating disorders go.  England was the first country to diagnose patients with anorexia in the 1870's.  It is also said that many of the ancient greeks practiced bulimia by binging and purging on a daily basis.  There is no known "cause" for eating disorders because there are so many factors believed to contribute to them.  If one has low self-esteem, that can be a big contribution. Some other causes of these disorders could simply be feeling helpless, using it as a way to handle stress and concerns, or just wanting to have control over something in your life. For other people, the main cause might be just being fearful of becoming over weight. But some eating disorder sufferers do not have much of a choice when it comes to having this disease, because genetics play a big part. If an eating disorder runs in your family, then that may also be a main cause. In some families, the mother is extremely concerned about her daughter's weight, and that concern can lead to the child becoming over cautious as well, which then can lead to an eating disorder.  

Five to ten years ago, eating disorders were just about as prevalent as they are today.  There are many more technological advances in todays world however than there was a few years ago.  Previously, when diagnosed with an eating disorder, doctors would focus primarily on the physical effects of the patients rather than the psychological causes.  A process called “re-feeding” would begin to get someone back up to a normal and healthy weight.  Once physicians found out that after a patient met this goal, they would almost automatically revert back to old ways, and lose the weight again.  That is why now eating disorders are considered psychological disorders.  

In previous years, people with eating disorders did not have the support that I found in technology.  A common treatment for “ED,” was therapy, more specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy, which is still used today.  That type of therapy taught the patient to change the way they thought about things, and to help them have a higher self image of themselves.  Instead of what many people striving towards recovery now use, which is blogging to fellow ED sufferers, they used journaling to get their thoughts out.  This was and still is a very common technique used, however, there is no feedback as there is when you are connecting with someone through technology.  There were limited amounts of support groups, whereas today, one can find a support group in just about any city just by typing “eating disorder support groups,” into a search bar.  

The only future challenges that are foreseeable are the pro-eating disorder websites.  More and more of these sites go up everyday, and can be very “triggering” (make someone who has an eating disorder want to revert back to old habits) to someone newly in recovery.  Also, another challenge that threatens technology and eating disorders are the wrong people getting into the supposedly “safe” chat rooms and blog sites.  The only solution I can see at this point is to just be careful as to what websites you visit, and have an entrusted friend be with you if needed while you are looking up your information. 

-Jessicca G :)

INTRODUCTION-My battle with "ED"

The topic I chose was eating disorders and technology because this subject is near and dear to my heart.  I have recently suffered and recovered from an eating disorder.  My eating disorder or "ED," as many of us who have battled with this in the past do, consumed my life.  I first started struggling with this issue about three years ago, and it took me two years to figure out that I needed outside help.  Technology, as far as websites and online support groups were my first step in doing so.  I started researching my disease, trying to understand why I was doing what I was, and how I could begin to help myself.  I found that there are various reasons why people use disorders such as these to cope with life’s trials, and it made me feel relieved that I wasn’t in fact going crazy(though it was how I felt at the time).  There were very many websites that support eating disorder recovery, and post advice to those in need.  This was very helpful, because it made me feel like I wasn’t alone.  There were chat rooms, blog sites, as well as sites for family members to instruct them how to approach a child or loved one with an eating disorder.  What surprised me most though, were the websites that were actually PRO-EATING DISORDER!  These sites shockingly  supported those who wanted to begin or continue with their habits.  They posted tips on how to make things easier, and how to keep ED a secret from loved ones.  When I first found these sites, as I was very deep into my “addiction,” they almost sucked me in.  The websites made me rethink my decision on my road to recovery and believe that maybe there wasn’t something wrong with me.  Luckily, the support groups/blogs, outweighed these appalling websites.  After not making much progress on my own, I soon came upon a site that referred me to a residential eating disorder facility.  I spent about 2 months there getting my life back on track and getting healthy.  It was the best decision I ever made for myself, and without this technology I may have never found the place that I now call “my savior.” 

My goals for this semester is to learn even more about eating disorders.  Whether people are genetically predisposed, or if it is the “luck of the draw.”  Also, what type of people are more susceptible to this disease, as far as personality types, and ethnic groups.  I’d like to learn more about what families can do, and how it affects their lives as well.  I know my story, but there are million more out there, that I’m sure are very different from my own.  I’d like to learn about other people’s situations, and how they are getting through, and choosing recovery.  

--Jessicca G :)