Bullying as a trigger for anorexia? One family thinks so.
This is fascinating news — a family in Canada claims that their son’s anorexia came about as the direct result of bullying by his peers.
According to an article published in Ontario’s Chatham Daily Times this morning, the elementary-school aged boy was taunted by peers about his weight. He found old food in his desk, pieces of his lunches were stolen and the combined effect of the episodes left him so depressed that he went on a drastic “diet” and lost 60 pounds in a few months.
As any concerned family would do, his mum and dad looked for someone to blame, finally deciding that the fault lay at the feet of the school board. They claim that the bullying was never addressed and that it eventually led to their son’s eating disorder; not surprisingly, the school board does not see eye-to-eye with the boy’s family.
Now, I’ve never heard of bullying as a trigger for an ED, but I’m open to the suggestion. After all, when a person who is predisposed to anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS or binge eating becomes depressed, the dormant ED many times becomes “active”. (I liken it to a sleeping volcano — given the right circumstances, it erupts.)
In my own case, I still recall the horrible words that were cast upon me when I was a chubby ‘tweener. The mental recordings of those taunts sting to this day. Did they lead to my dance with Ana? Perhaps.
On a positive note, the boy in question is regaining weight and doing well in a London hospital that works with eating disordered patients.
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POSTED IN: Ana, Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, binge eating disorder, bullying, triggers
4 opinions for Bullying as a trigger for anorexia? One family thinks so.
Diet Pepsi Girl
May 6, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hi. Just wanted to say I like this blog, and I think you’re doing a good job. However - why such constant use of terms like ana, mia, and thinspiration? IMO, those belong on pro sites, not on a blog that is pro-recovery. Just something that I wanted to point out.
angelique
May 6, 2008 at 12:18 pm
DPG:
Thanks for popping over!
Actually, I toyed with the use of Ana, Mia, et cetera… but I decided to use them because they are actually bringing people here who need to see that there is another way to live.
Also, I really want to educate parents about the usage of the terms. So many moms, dads, grandparents, guardians and educators have no clue what’s really going on out there. I’m amazed at how few have even heard the term “pro-ana”, which is obvious to us!
Mary Witzl
May 6, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I’d never heard this term and I’m glad I know it now!
angelique
May 6, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thanks for chiming in, Mary.
Yes, it’s a tough line between not being too “pro” anything ED and being informative. But I’m hoping that at least a few people will have their eyes opened by what’s really going on in these communities where Ana and Mia are revered rather than reviled!
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