Anorexia and Narcissism a joke

[jonsie]

I've heard and read so much about anorexia over the years but really? For reasons I won't divulge here, this condition was, and still is, very prominent in my life and to read uneducated comments by people in the public eye spouting stuff they have no knowledge of makes me so angry.

BBC News: Joan Bakewell says teenage anorexia a sign of narcissism
Joan Bakewell says teenage anorexia a sign of narcissism -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35797158

[Bambino]

Incredible that a person as intelligent as she is could make such an uneducated statement.

[Cairdeas]

Just been reading that. Wow..she sounds such a pompous eejit ..clearly not living in the real world x

[Cleoriff]

I have never read such unadulterated garbage in my life. I can only imagine the effect that comment will have on those who suffer with this disease (male and female)

It's cause is rooted in mental illness and no-one has the right to say otherwise.

This spokesperson for Time to Change got it in one when they said.....

"Anorexia, just like any other mental health problem, is a genuine and debilitating condition, with complex causes.

"The stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these issues only makes life harder for people going through them - so what we need is increased understanding and support."

[jonsie]

This is totally a mental health issue and stupid statements like this totally takes away from the psychotherapists who are trained to help people suffering from this. There are many underlying causes but narcissism isn't one of them.  Sadly You hear the word anorexia and you immediately think of young teenage girls bowing to peer pressure influenced by the media,  fashion and the misguided belief that size 6-8 is the only acceptable standard that everyone should be judged by. 

• Anorexia is not limited to gender
• Anorexia is not limited to any age group
• Anorexia is a mental illness 
• Anorexia kills
• Anorexia is not something to be ashamed of
• Anorexia sufferers need help as surely as all people need help with mental issues
• Anorexia sufferers worst enemies are mirrors, scales and people who set themselves up as judges and have opinions that they think worthy of publicising to promote their own inadequacies and self importance for nothing more than illusions of grandeur.

I speak from authority, I personally know this mental problem more than I would wish on anyone. Been there, wrote the book, burned the teeshirt and 30 years experience if anyone wants help.

[Bambino]

Shame I can't give you a kudos for that post @jonsie. A virtual one will have to suffice.

[jonsie]

Accepted with grace by someone suffering still for 30 years.....

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

Accepted with grace by someone suffering still for 30 years.....

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Exceptional @jonsie. Open and honest as usual.

[Cairdeas]

You more than anyone then have reason to feel aggrieved at her stupidity @jonsie . You've faced this head on with commendable honesty .  x

[jonsie]

Day by day it is always with you. Narcissism? Never!