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First off, I'm not a teen, so maybe I have to place writing on the teen forum on a teen subject, but it's important so I will anyway. Second and third off, I'm a guy talking about a mostly girl subject and I'm no psychologist/dietitian so I can't speak from education or experience. What I CAN say is that I know a problem when I see it, and know that it needs to be addressed.
Right now, I'm talking about the problem of Anorexia, an eating disorder which is becoming increasingly common among teen girls in America (and around the world) today. It is an eating disorder which may or may not be linked to Bulimia (induced vomiting), and is often associated with the desire to become thinner and, therefore, prettier by today's cultural standards.
Here's a true story: Back in High School I had a friend who experienced this terrible condition, and have met more and more young women in my life who struggle with it. This young girl had literally starved and vomited herself to the point where her entire skeleton could be distinguished thorough her clothing and it seemed as if her skin was stretched over her thin frame like a tarp with horrible pallor. She was a nice girl in every respect, but it was horrifying to witness what the condition was doing to her. One day, as a friend and against my better judgement, I decided to take her aside and talk to her about her weight (*I know, ladies, men shouldn't do that but I was genuinely concerned). The conversation we had consisted of me telling her she needed to put on a lot more weight because she looked like a "Holocaust Victim". To my surprise, she actually began to blush and giggle and bat her eyes at me, saying that it was the sweetest compliment she had ever received (and I could tell she meant it), but that she knew she was fat and needed to go on some special diet. No she was not being sarcastic, I assure you. Yes, she actually did take what I said as a legitimate compliment, and meant it when she said my comment was sweet. I could tell. My point? This is scary and it's more widespread than I thought. I'm meeting more and more of these unfortunate people in my life, and I just wish someone could tell them to stop killing themselves.
Like I say, I'm no expert, but here's some advice to you if you suffer from anorexia: Don't look like a Holocaust Victim. Not Joking. Completely Serious. Contrary to what society will tell you, starving isn't sexy or pretty or whatever. Please stop hurting yourselves.
Right now, I'm talking about the problem of Anorexia, an eating disorder which is becoming increasingly common among teen girls in America (and around the world) today. It is an eating disorder which may or may not be linked to Bulimia (induced vomiting), and is often associated with the desire to become thinner and, therefore, prettier by today's cultural standards.
Here's a true story: Back in High School I had a friend who experienced this terrible condition, and have met more and more young women in my life who struggle with it. This young girl had literally starved and vomited herself to the point where her entire skeleton could be distinguished thorough her clothing and it seemed as if her skin was stretched over her thin frame like a tarp with horrible pallor. She was a nice girl in every respect, but it was horrifying to witness what the condition was doing to her. One day, as a friend and against my better judgement, I decided to take her aside and talk to her about her weight (*I know, ladies, men shouldn't do that but I was genuinely concerned). The conversation we had consisted of me telling her she needed to put on a lot more weight because she looked like a "Holocaust Victim". To my surprise, she actually began to blush and giggle and bat her eyes at me, saying that it was the sweetest compliment she had ever received (and I could tell she meant it), but that she knew she was fat and needed to go on some special diet. No she was not being sarcastic, I assure you. Yes, she actually did take what I said as a legitimate compliment, and meant it when she said my comment was sweet. I could tell. My point? This is scary and it's more widespread than I thought. I'm meeting more and more of these unfortunate people in my life, and I just wish someone could tell them to stop killing themselves.
Like I say, I'm no expert, but here's some advice to you if you suffer from anorexia: Don't look like a Holocaust Victim. Not Joking. Completely Serious. Contrary to what society will tell you, starving isn't sexy or pretty or whatever. Please stop hurting yourselves.
