This week’s favorite comment: Pro-ana, analyzed
I love the comments generated at Breaking the Mirror, so I’m going to start highlighting my favorite one each week.
The following comment comes from “RaisinGirl” in response to this post on pro-ana and pro-mia bracelets.
What I enjoy most about what RaisinGirl wrote is how thoughtfully she analyzed the topic. She definitely hit some excellent points and I celebrate her for that!
From RaisinGirl:
Tags: Ana, Breaking the Mirror, breakingthemirror, eating-disorders, Mia, pro ana underground, pro-Ana, pro-mia, proana, promia“I’ve been a member of the so-called “pro ana underground” for over 6 years now and I had to comment, because I believe there’s a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the concept.
I just want to emphasize that EVERY COMMUNITY AND EVERY FORUM IS DIFFERENT.
Yes, there are some sites where people post images of skeletal celebrities and encourage each other to starve, but there are also a lot of sites where people are just encouraging each other to live as well as they can, given what they’re dealing with.
Many people with eating disorders, as I’m sure you all know, feel isolated. It’s comforting to know that there are people out there who understand what you’re going through.
The term “pro-ana” has been used to describe every point of view from “Yay, ana!! Starving is awesome!” to “I have a problem, but I am not ready to be forced into recovery; I need to speak and be understood.”
Personally speaking, I hate the term “pro-ana” because it implies that sufferers are actively celebrating an illness when the vast majority are not. “Neutral-ana” would be a more fitting expression for most.
Putting this huge range of intentions under one umbrella - villainizing all non-recovery-oriented sites - hurts the people out there who are benefitting from the support.
I believe the red bracelet was intended as a symbol of solidarity - you can look at the bracelet on your wrist and remember that you’re not alone in your struggles. If you ever meet another person wearing one, you know that you are both fighting the same fight.
However, the meaning of the bracelet has been bastardized and twisted, and as a result, people think that the bracelet is intended as a “reminder not to eat.” That is NOT what it’s supposed to mean.
I just ask anybody who’s exploring the whole “pro-ed” thing - don’t be quick to jump to conclusions, because the community is extremely diverse.
And incidentally, a lot of people wear red dragonfly bracelets for a totally different reason - I believe it’s some kind of symbol for spiritual transformation (?).”
1 opinion for This week’s favorite comment: Pro-ana, analyzed
eshoe
Nov 9, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I had to comment on this because I find myself agreeing with many of RaisinGirl’s points in her reply. I however, find myself glimpsing at my wrist to remind myself of certain behaviors. I would definately say I have not moved forward in recovery at the moment, but it’s because I am working through some deep emotional events.
I do not expect to be in this stage forever.
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