The shock value of eating disorders means that they often make headlines. A particularly common topic is “pro-ana” or “pro-mia” websites. UK eating disorder charity BEAT defines these as: “websites [which] advocate anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa as a life-style choice rather than as serious mental disorders, and typically contain tips and tricks on how to maintain or initiate new anorexic/bulimic behaviours and how to resist treatment or recovery.”
BEAT encourages the media “not to make pro-ana websites into headline news, not to report their content in a sensationalised way and not to report how to access them, as this may lead to increased use of such sites.” Despite this, this kind of coverage is still common in the press.
It’s easy for people who haven’t experienced mental illness to condemn the behaviours of those affected. There must be reasons behind such websites existing. EDucation interviewed two former members of pro-ana websites.
Why did you visit pro-ana websites?
Jess: They were like friends. I wanted so badly to feel accepted, and pro-ana was full of people who got it. Talking to people who thought about and did the same things I did made me feel like part of a community – like I belonged.
Gemma: Initially I just wanted a place to belong and be supported, but over time I continued to feel drawn to the websites because I knew I wouldn’t be judged.
How did pro-ana websites impact your eating disorder?
Jess: They definitely encouraged and normalised [the eating disordered behaviours]. The sites made me feel like it was an okay thing to do.
Gemma: I think it enabled my behaviours quite strongly as it allowed me to feel like my behaviours were normal and it comforted me that I wasn’t the only one. I was surrounded by other people who were like me and that made it all ‘okay’.
What do you think of the representation of pro-ana websites in the press?
Jess: I feel like they get a very bad rap. I don’t doubt that there are some horrible ones, but overall I think they’re to be pitied, not condemned. They are full of and run by sad, lonely, hurting men and women. They aren’t there to turn your kids anorexic or convince you to stop eating. They’re not nice and they’re damaging for the people there, but they deserve more help.
While pro-ana websites evidently give those affected by eating disorders a support system and sense of community, the pro-ana attitude to eating disorders still has a hugely destructive effect. Recovery-oriented websites also exist (see the blogroll), but receive little media coverage.
How do you think people with eating disorders could receive more constructive support online?
EDucation: Explaining Eating Disorders 
As I don’t believe in internet censorship, perhaps a compulsory need for pro-recovery ads on such sites could be made to avoid being taken down. It’s not harming visitors any more or less than those “lose 8lbs in a week!” ads, and people can always disable them. But that’s if they really want to. I think a lot of people deep down would want to see the ads, would want that temptation, if you will, to reach out for help.
As someone who used to frequent pro-ana sites, I think they are a giant neon sign being held up by the members that says “HELP!” The more we say that they’re “bad” and the more people who go to them are “bad”, we’re just perpetuating the sad misconception that those who have an eating disorder are “bad”.
Wow great read here, I must say I get really uncomfortable when the whole pro-Ana thing comes up, just because it feels like such an extreme of an already extreme situation. I’m all for people having a place as a form of escape and where they can socialise with others like them, but I guess I’m narrow-minded in the extent that when I think of a pro-Ana bord I immediately go with the myths you talk about – I think boards like that should be dealt with, but if a place that can talk and support someone with an eating disorder is avaialable, then I think it could help someone – I guess, you hear less about them, so I don’t register that there could be others around.