Writing Down to The Bones

1. Pro-ana websites show pictures of young girls who are nothing but skin and bone. They host a number of forums where people who suffer from anorexia and bulemia can congregate and talk about a common issue: their eating disorder. But what does pro-ana mean? An 'ana' is someone who has anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder (and mental disorder) where, in your mind, you look at yourself and think you are too fat. But not only that; many people look into the mirror and decide they don't like what they see. Ana's take it a step further. They may see themselves as too fat, so they will go on crash diets - days without eating anything. They literally starve themselves. So, a 'pro-ana', then, is someone who supports anorexia, and possibly other eating disorders.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org), "Anorexia Nervosa [or anorexia] is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss."
No one should be in support of a life-threatening disease, because that's what an eating disorder is: a disease, just like cancer or diabetes.
These websites must be banned because they are giving sufferers of eating disorders the wrong idea. They are doing nothing but endagering themselves and their health, and encouraging that by publishing pro-ana websites is not helping ana's (or sufferers of anorexia nervosa) turn their lives around, get help, and become healthier individuals.

2. Pro-ana websites show pictures of young girls who are nothing but skin and bone. They host a number of forums where people who suffer from anorexia and bulemia can congregate and talk about a common issue: their eating disorder. But what does pro-ana mean? An 'ana' is someone who has anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder (and mental disorder) where, in your mind, you look at yourself and think you are too fat. But not only that; many people look into the mirror and decide they don't like what they see. Ana's take it a step further. They may see themselves as too fat, so they will go on crash diets - days without eating anything. They literally starve themselves. So, a 'pro-ana', then, is someone who supports anorexia, and possibly other eating disorders.
One may think these websites are a bad idea, because, after all, they are in support of eating disorders. But, sometimes, those of us with problems need someone to talk to, someone who knows where we're coming from or where we've been. These pro-ana websites are nothing more than chat rooms where sufferers can commiserate.
You are much more likely to listen to someone who you can relate to. An 'ana' may not listen to a doctor or their 'crazed mother', but what about a friend? What about a friend who suffers from the same problems and deals with the same everyday struggle?
A sufferer is more likely to have an epiphany and get help when they have a companion who is right byt their side the entire time.

3. Pro-ana websites show pictures of young girls who are nothing but skin and bone. They host a number of forums where people who suffer from anorexia and bulemia can congregate and talk about a common issue: their eating disorder. But what does pro-ana mean? An 'ana' is someone who has anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder (and mental disorder) where, in your mind, you look at yourself and think you are too fat. But not only that; many people look into the mirror and decide they don't like what they see. Ana's take it a step further. They may see themselves as too fat, so they will go on crash diets - days without eating anything. They literally starve themselves. So, a 'pro-ana', then, is someone who supports anorexia, and possibly other eating disorders.
Some may be sternly against these websites because, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org), "Anorexia Nervosa [or anorexia] is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss." Therefore, no one should be in support of these life-threatening diseases.
Parents or loved ones of ana's believe these websites should be banned because they are giving sufferers of eating disorders the wrong idea. They are doing nothing but endagering themselves and their health, and encouraging that by publishing pro-ana websites is not helping ana's (or sufferers of anorexia nervosa) turn their lives around, get help, and become healthier individuals.
On the other hand, though, the pro-ana's, themselves, have their opinions. Sometimes, those of us with problems need someone to talk to, someone who knows where we're coming from or where we've been. These pro-ana websites are nothing more than chat rooms where sufferers can commiserate.
A pro-ana is much more likely to listen to someone who they can relate to. An 'ana' may not listen to a doctor or their 'crazed mother', but what about a friend? What about a friend who suffers from the same problems and deals with the same everyday struggle?
Misery loves company, and anas have fallen into traps of self-destruction. But sometimes good things can come from seemingly-destructive things, such as the pro-ana websites.
A sufferer is more likely to have an epiphany and get help when they have a companion who is right byt their side the entire time. Perhaps, in time, these pro-ana websites will prove to be a new door opened for the anas.