pro-ana
...he sites also offer support during fasting and show pictures of emaciated women. Women go to cyberspace to share their eating problems with fellow sufferers. The internet is a place anyone could go with a different identity. One can say whatever they please because their words are anonymous. Such websites are extremely helpful in the beginning stages of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. When one begins their eating disorder they become isolated and disconnected from others. The internet is their way of socialization, to connect with people just like them. These websites have received a tremendous amount of scrutiny from medical professionals and the media, which will be discussed later in this paper. How does one define an anorexic woman? An anorexic tends to be a perfectionist dead set on gaining approval. They want to smooth out all sharp corners and make sure everyone is happy. An anorexic feels that she needs to live up to expectations that are set by others. People do not usually choose to be anorexic. Rather, they start dieting, never feel good enough and head in a downward spiral which leads to anorexia. It is a very tough mindset to maintain and one will suffer. Many women feel shameful of their disorders. Women feel embarrassed about themselves, therefore not informing anyone about their disease, which makes it difficult to receive help. By calling anorexia and bulimia “disorders,” women may feel that something is wrong with them, therefore leading to feelings of inadequacy. The inadequate feelings women may feel can lead them to places of acceptance, pro- eating disorder websites. In contrast to the dominant discourses of anorexia and eating disorders in general, my research is informed by wome...