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

[Cleoriff]

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@Beenherebefore wrote:

Perhaps we should all know better than to give too much credence to what 82 year old peers have to say.

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I agree....but they keep spouting their views...and the media enjoy speading it around (like muck)...

[jonsie]

I can agree up to a point though I do take issue that anorexia begins in the formative years. Case studies show that this mental illness can strike at any stage of personal development. What isn't taken into account is that anorexics are in a constant state of denial and secrecy from your loved ones, both to prevent them worrying (even though you know you have a mental problem) and shame (not to mention embarrassment) simply because it is a mental issue.

Anorexics live in perpetual hell. How many family meals, Christmas dinners, nights out with friends and partners are ruined by that dreaded feeling...oh my God I have to eat but I don't want to. How many trips to the bathroom to purge yourself after the event? That is another aspect, the borderline between anorexia and bulimia. It's the same problem albeit given a different name. You starve yourself but take pleasure in the dizziness and general feeling of being ill, falling over when you get up suddenly or passing out and waking up in hospital with electrodes attached and on a drip with potassium and glucose replacing the fluids you lose by either starving or constantly vomiting.Your nearest and dearest not understanding and wondering why they fail to notice.

The symptoms of bulimia and the resulting hospitalisation are the same. Same treatment for the same damage done to your body and the same psychoanalysts Your hair falls out, teeth rot due to the constant acidic vomiting. Where once you wore big size clothes to hide your obesity, you go through the stage of buying clothes to look good but then you wear big clothes to hide the alarming weight loss from family and friends.

You smile outwardly, you can be the life and soul of a party but then night time comes and you lie awake wondering what the hell is happening to you. You know you have a major mental problem, you can admit it to youirself but you get angry if anyone else suggests there may be something wrong.

Now anyone reading this, without the medical background, without personally knowing a family member going through the same issue, cannot possibly understand how anyone would fall prey to this illness.

Narcissism? What the hell does Joan Bakewell know and how does she get off pontificating and daring to call anyone narcissistic. Has she experiuenced her 13 year old son or daughter literally picking her up and carrying her up a flight of stairs because she hasn't the strength to walk another step? How the hell dare she???

[Beenherebefore]

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@jonsie wrote:

What isn't taken into account is that anorexics are in a constant state of denial and secrecy from your loved ones, both to prevent them worrying (even though you know you have a mental problem) and shame (not to mention embarrassment) simply because it is a mental issue.

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As are most if not all addicts, whether it's drink, tobacco, drugs, gambling, eating, work, sex.....I could go on....and on and on.

I have acquaintances who, individually, are addicted to any one (in some cases to two or more) of those categories that I've mentioned but in all cases they deny their addiction to their nearest and dearest.

But the nearest and dearest know the problem exists.....so denial is futile.

Edit = forgot to say that in most cases, addiction is a mental illness brought on by other influences.

[Cleoriff]

Anyway as I said yesterday Joan Bakewell has made an apology for her remarks. I have to say her tweets seemed to apologise for the distress she caused ....without actually admitting she was wrong

The broadcaster tweeted she was "full of regret".

She added: "I have spent 6 hours answering tweets. I did not expect the [Sunday Times] to quote my views on anorexia and am full of regret that my reported views have caused distress. I am deeply sorry.

"I am tired now and taking a break from Twitter. Goodnight everyone."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35799546

[gmarkj]

why express an opinion about something if you now it is going to be used in an article?