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So I was looking up random things today, and found some interesting information on eating disorders. There's tons of information on why eating disorders are wrong, of course.

But I came across several eating disorder support groups. These are people who band together to stick to strict diets. They share dieting secrets, ways to stay away from food, and fast at the same times.

They have images and videos that are "thinspirational". These are pictures of people and celebrities that look disgustingly thin, to the point that you can see every bone. And these images inspire them to stick to their anorexic lifestyles.

My questions: How can these people go into these groups and support being unhealthy and nearly starving yourself to death? One of the websites had a guide to how to get back to eating normally. But I had a bout with anorexia before, just for a couple weeks, and it's really difficult to just quit.

Question 2: What are your thoughts on this?

I don't see an issue if they are of age. It's their bodies and their choices. Is it counter productive? Yes, but many are well aware of that. Why shouldn't they have a support group to fuel their bad habit? They aren't harming anyone but themselves and who are we to judge them for that.

There is essentially the question of the greater good. Should a person be allowed to harm themself? Is there a point that intervention is neccessary, and others not needed? Most people take the middle ground.

While I'm going to warn that I'm cautious of imposing any one ideology, there needs to be some established idea of right and wrong, and that the preservation of life needs to rank pretty high on what is right. Endangering your health like this can't be accepted.

There is a pro anorexia support group???

wow...society is really mixed up.

It's a horrible thing to have...then again it IS a mental illness so I guess the people who made the site are also suffering and were trying to genuinely be helpful...

That still doesn't make it right.

Some people are desperatly looking for an idol, and sadly end up with somebody who'll get 'em killed or quite ill. Not everybody is quite aware of their desperation.

It's pitiful, but a lot of people seem to be morons.

As with any sort of self-destructive tendency, anorexia does offer mild relief to their mental pain, so having a support group with people who're going through the same sort of pain is obviously helpful, even if it kills you in the end. Sometimes it's nice to feel like you belong and part of something (even if it kills you). I think it's unfortunate, but inevitable because the internet offers a sense of belonging to all sorts of people - I'm not entirely sure what can be done about it, really. It's sad, 'cause my friends who used to be anorexic are most all really happy that they've gone through therapy and no longer starve themselves so badly.

I wouldn't consider bulimia as a medical issue, as the bulimics are intentially struggeling their bodies to get rid of fat in an exaggerated manner.
Chemotherapy would be a part of a medical treatment, where the options are quite limited.

But I got to admit: I'd probably hesitate to kiss somebody on the mouth if they're puking regularry or have recently puked.

I consider anorexia and bulimia as actions, and not mental states. It's the depression people experience, from thinking they're either way too fat (or too thin), which lead them to choose a way to alter their weight.

Your case consist of puking as an unpleasant side effect, unless the medical personell think the puking actually help you skin.