Comments for The Literary Addict http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com compulsive reading Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:00:21 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Katerina http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-602 Katerina Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:00:21 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-602 Anorexia and Bulimia is like an addiction. It doesnt mean we hate our parents or what ever. We hate everything. We hate ourselves. We hate the past that made us this way. I was in an abusive relationship. I got punched for being to ugly that day. or to big, compared to megan fox.. Once you make it a habbit, it gets harder and harder to eat again. Yes there are starving people around the world, but that doesn't make you like yourself more, or change the way you cope - through starvation and purging. The only form of control in your life. Until that gets taken away by doctors and being in a hospital. Ana becomes your life. you lose your friends through isolation. Suicidal. feel worthless..especailly when he always told me i was. So Maybe you would understand if you were in my or anothers place. You think you know alll about this disease. You don't. Not unless you've experienced it. Anorexia and Bulimia is like an addiction. It doesnt mean we hate our parents or what ever. We hate everything. We hate ourselves. We hate the past that made us this way. I was in an abusive relationship. I got punched for being to ugly that day. or to big, compared to megan fox.. Once you make it a habbit, it gets harder and harder to eat again. Yes there are starving people around the world, but that doesn’t make you like yourself more, or change the way you cope – through starvation and purging. The only form of control in your life. Until that gets taken away by doctors and being in a hospital. Ana becomes your life. you lose your friends through isolation. Suicidal. feel worthless..especailly when he always told me i was. So Maybe you would understand if you were in my or anothers place. You think you know alll about this disease. You don’t. Not unless you’ve experienced it.

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by anonymous http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-601 anonymous Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:37:13 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-601 The fact that you can spend your entire existence focusing superficially on yourself (most of these cases are hardly examples of introspection where anyone comes out the other end with a brilliant revelation other than “hey, its not good for you to starve”), seems to provide evidence for the notion that many of these people are indeed self-invested (and this is not disregarding the people who eat themselves to death and function in the same self-involved vein.) Lying to family to further your own ends is a sign of disrespect. To place your destruction above the love, trust and loyalty of your family and close friends, to destroy their lives along with your own, is perhaps the highest form of narcissism. Ironic, huh? People think that if they can say they “hate themselves” it dissolves the necessary association that hating takes a lot of energy, which means you expend a lot of time and focus on yourself. I find it difficult to have sympathy for people who make themselves sick (both anorexic and obese) when there are more pressing issues to be considered in the world – health systems, education, the environment, and oh, those 1.2 billion (unwillingly) starving people, to name a few. Anyone who denies the most basic form of survival, when there are people out there who need (and desire, above all) food or else risk death, is selfish. Consider: Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds. The best thing you can do is eat your damn breakfast and get working on a way to help your fellow human being and living to your potential. You may think, how does my starving affect any of these 16 000 children? In the most basic form, economically. If we spend time and money helping those who starve, or conversely, overeat, we divert that time and money from helping those who are indeed suffering from the absence of fulfillment of basic human needs. While many are sympathetic to illnesses associated with eating, I am afraid anorexia is currently being glorified as a discipline, a sign of control, a positive act, disregarding that such an illness (along with overeating) flies right in the face of the basic instincts of human existence. Obesity is an epidemic in a number of first world countries and it is becoming apparent that we as a society no longer understand the concept of balance – either starving or overeating. This is most definitely a sign of a deeper problem within society. The fact that you can spend your entire existence focusing superficially on yourself (most of these cases are hardly examples of introspection where anyone comes out the other end with a brilliant revelation other than “hey, its not good for you to starve”), seems to provide evidence for the notion that many of these people are indeed self-invested (and this is not disregarding the people who eat themselves to death and function in the same self-involved vein.)

Lying to family to further your own ends is a sign of disrespect. To place your destruction above the love, trust and loyalty of your family and close friends, to destroy their lives along with your own, is perhaps the highest form of narcissism. Ironic, huh? People think that if they can say they “hate themselves” it dissolves the necessary association that hating takes a lot of energy, which means you expend a lot of time and focus on yourself.

I find it difficult to have sympathy for people who make themselves sick (both anorexic and obese) when there are more pressing issues to be considered in the world – health systems, education, the environment, and oh, those 1.2 billion (unwillingly) starving people, to name a few.

Anyone who denies the most basic form of survival, when there are people out there who need (and desire, above all) food or else risk death, is selfish.

Consider: Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes–one child every five seconds.

The best thing you can do is eat your damn breakfast and get working on a way to help your fellow human being and living to your potential.
You may think, how does my starving affect any of these 16 000 children? In the most basic form, economically. If we spend time and money helping those who starve, or conversely, overeat, we divert that time and money from helping those who are indeed suffering from the absence of fulfillment of basic human needs. While many are sympathetic to illnesses associated with eating, I am afraid anorexia is currently being glorified as a discipline, a sign of control, a positive act, disregarding that such an illness (along with overeating) flies right in the face of the basic instincts of human existence. Obesity is an epidemic in a number of first world countries and it is becoming apparent that we as a society no longer understand the concept of balance – either starving or overeating. This is most definitely a sign of a deeper problem within society.

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Lorette C. Luzajic http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-600 Lorette C. Luzajic Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:29:51 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-600 Thank you, anonymous, and others who have so generously given me their first hand accounts of what life is like, for sharing so intimately your world. By reaching out in anger to me, a stranger, you might let people close to you or close to others who share this disease, understand a bit more. I've learned a lot- and no, I'm not a horrible person, I'm not hateful, but I try to write honestly and at that time, after reading about marya, it's upsetting, that's where I was. Many family members and friends are in the dark, like me. Thanks to all of you, I've learned a lot more. Please, let some loved ones that you trust in, risk that- the things you share here are important, and they need to know. blessings Lorette Thank you, anonymous, and others who have so generously given me their first hand accounts of what life is like, for sharing so intimately your world. By reaching out in anger to me, a stranger, you might let people close to you or close to others who share this disease, understand a bit more. I’ve learned a lot- and no, I’m not a horrible person, I’m not hateful, but I try to write honestly and at that time, after reading about marya, it’s upsetting, that’s where I was. Many family members and friends are in the dark, like me. Thanks to all of you, I’ve learned a lot more. Please, let some loved ones that you trust in, risk that- the things you share here are important, and they need to know.

blessings
Lorette

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Anonymous http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-599 Anonymous Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:51:50 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-599 When I read this review, I was extremely angry; this is the reason why we feel that we can't open up to people in society, that we can't seek help for our very destructive, life-ruining disorder. Many of us are already perfectionists, and for whatever reason we respond strongly to the praise and criticism of others. Most of us want help so badly, but we can't bear to be judged. We can't stand to be labeled by others all the things that we already tell ourselves. I am self-absorbed; there are so many better, more important things in the world to concern myself about. I am selfish; I am killing myself and there are so many people that would be devastated knowing that I do this. The few people that do know, I can see that I hurt them. I'm so sorry for it. I am ugly; bones are not beautiful, they are repulsive and I no longer go swimming because I can feel the eyes on me, repulsed. But maybe I want to be repulsive. I am disgusting; I see more vomit on a regular basis than I do people. I am ashamed. So ashamed that I have to hide it. I'm not a little girl and I'm not a teenager anymore, what excuse do I have? I am weak, because I want to rid myself of this illness so much but I can't or I don't, I'm not sure - it is an illness, it's not me, right? It's not because I'm a terrible, disgusting person who deliberately makes bad choices. I am self-loathing; isn't it obvious? But I can't bear for others to loathe me too, don't you see? I want to be happy so badly. I want to gain weight and be healthy and beautiful and be OKAY with it. But I can't even see that as an option right now. I keep wondering how long it will take my boyfriend, who has been extremely supportive, to get sick of my issues and leave me. How can anyone love me if I don't love myself? Do I deserve love? I've gone on too long of a tirade here, and I didn't mean to, but those are some of the conflicts that I scream to myself every day. After reading all the comments, I'm less angry. Thank you for your honesty, and for trying to be open to criticism. But it also saddens me that you are right - this is the first reaction that most people will get when they are exposed to an eating disorder. But they are wrong. I am more than my eating disorder and I am a good person underneath this, even though I have to remind myself this every day. I dance, I study, I am smart (in all ways but this), I am creative, I help people, I play a large part in a Thanksgiving basket drive and a winter clothes drive every year so that other people can have the food and clothes and comfort that they deserve. I love sappy, family movies. I love classical music and I love hard rock. I appreciate art, literature, and good fashion. I am so many things, and I wish other people could see past my consuming eating disorder to see ME, what's left of me, if they knew. When I read this review, I was extremely angry; this is the reason why we feel that we can’t open up to people in society, that we can’t seek help for our very destructive, life-ruining disorder. Many of us are already perfectionists, and for whatever reason we respond strongly to the praise and criticism of others. Most of us want help so badly, but we can’t bear to be judged. We can’t stand to be labeled by others all the things that we already tell ourselves.

I am self-absorbed; there are so many better, more important things in the world to concern myself about. I am selfish; I am killing myself and there are so many people that would be devastated knowing that I do this. The few people that do know, I can see that I hurt them. I’m so sorry for it. I am ugly; bones are not beautiful, they are repulsive and I no longer go swimming because I can feel the eyes on me, repulsed. But maybe I want to be repulsive. I am disgusting; I see more vomit on a regular basis than I do people. I am ashamed. So ashamed that I have to hide it. I’m not a little girl and I’m not a teenager anymore, what excuse do I have? I am weak, because I want to rid myself of this illness so much but I can’t or I don’t, I’m not sure – it is an illness, it’s not me, right? It’s not because I’m a terrible, disgusting person who deliberately makes bad choices.

I am self-loathing; isn’t it obvious? But I can’t bear for others to loathe me too, don’t you see? I want to be happy so badly. I want to gain weight and be healthy and beautiful and be OKAY with it. But I can’t even see that as an option right now. I keep wondering how long it will take my boyfriend, who has been extremely supportive, to get sick of my issues and leave me. How can anyone love me if I don’t love myself? Do I deserve love?

I’ve gone on too long of a tirade here, and I didn’t mean to, but those are some of the conflicts that I scream to myself every day. After reading all the comments, I’m less angry. Thank you for your honesty, and for trying to be open to criticism. But it also saddens me that you are right – this is the first reaction that most people will get when they are exposed to an eating disorder. But they are wrong.

I am more than my eating disorder and I am a good person underneath this, even though I have to remind myself this every day. I dance, I study, I am smart (in all ways but this), I am creative, I help people, I play a large part in a Thanksgiving basket drive and a winter clothes drive every year so that other people can have the food and clothes and comfort that they deserve. I love sappy, family movies. I love classical music and I love hard rock. I appreciate art, literature, and good fashion. I am so many things, and I wish other people could see past my consuming eating disorder to see ME, what’s left of me, if they knew.

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Sara http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-598 Sara Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:18:23 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-598 i'm a resident in child and adolescent psychiatry, and i had an ED when i was younger..if you need to talk, i don't know if i can help you but you can be sure i will listen.. :) i’m a resident in child and adolescent psychiatry, and i had an ED when i was younger..if you need to talk, i don’t know if i can help you but you can be sure i will listen.. :)

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Rachel http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-596 Rachel Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:05 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-596 It hurts me to know that there are people so ignorant in the world. I have struggled with anorexia for 3 years, I am not a 'self-absorbed, vain little girl' and what I have suffered was anything but a 'hunger strike'. It has caused me great pain, inner turmoil and has slowly destroyed all of my positive emotions. There are so many causes of eating disorders such as: feelings of ineffectiveness, depression, need for control and abuse. When I was aged 6-10 I was physically abused everyday and this affected my whole life. Anorexia is a disease of the mind; it is life shattering and almost impossible to completely remove. Who are you to judge others when you obviously do not have a clue what you are talking about? It hurts me to know that there are people so ignorant in the world. I have struggled with anorexia for 3 years, I am not a ’self-absorbed, vain little girl’ and what I have suffered was anything but a ‘hunger strike’. It has caused me great pain, inner turmoil and has slowly destroyed all of my positive emotions.

There are so many causes of eating disorders such as: feelings of ineffectiveness, depression, need for control and abuse. When I was aged 6-10 I was physically abused everyday and this affected my whole life. Anorexia is a disease of the mind; it is life shattering and almost impossible to completely remove.

Who are you to judge others when you obviously do not have a clue what you are talking about?

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Ella http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-595 Ella Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:39:56 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-595 as someone who has struggled with EDNOSfor 5 years now, i have a couple things to say. first, anorexia has nothing at all to do with hunger srikes. It is true that someone suffering from an eating disorder may try to send out cries for help, but most often the cries for attention come from obnoxious pre-teens who think that they want an eating disorder. you also mentioned marya not being human, but i beleive that others have already gone over this. no matter how twisted your behaviors get, no matter how terrifying you look, no matter how intensely you may hate life, you are always still a human being and deserve to be treated and regarded as such and finally, you seem to have something of a chip on your shoulder about "having curves". as one of those sick people you said think of you as a fat pig, i must admit that even size 5 seems horrible to me, let alone a 16. however, that is only in regards to myself. i have an immense deep jealousy for all of the beautiful confident and curvy girls i see. they have boyfriends and boobs, and often my jealousy borders on hatred i want that so bad, but recovery scares the shit out of me, i cant stand to see myself swell to hideous proportions, and i have always fallen back into my disorder as someone who has struggled with EDNOSfor 5 years now, i have a couple things to say. first, anorexia has nothing at all to do with hunger srikes. It is true that someone suffering from an eating disorder may try to send out cries for help, but most often the cries for attention come from obnoxious pre-teens who think that they want an eating disorder.

you also mentioned marya not being human, but i beleive that others have already gone over this. no matter how twisted your behaviors get, no matter how terrifying you look, no matter how intensely you may hate life, you are always still a human being and deserve to be treated and regarded as such

and finally, you seem to have something of a chip on your shoulder about “having curves”. as one of those sick people you said think of you as a fat pig, i must admit that even size 5 seems horrible to me, let alone a 16. however, that is only in regards to myself. i have an immense deep jealousy for all of the beautiful confident and curvy girls i see. they have boyfriends and boobs, and often my jealousy borders on hatred
i want that so bad, but recovery scares the shit out of me, i cant stand to see myself swell to hideous proportions, and i have always fallen back into my disorder

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Lula Blaire. http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-594 Lula Blaire. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:15:18 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-594 Have you ever thought about the fact that anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder? It affects the brain. Become fully informed before you bash anorexics. Have you ever thought about the fact that anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder? It affects the brain. Become fully informed before you bash anorexics.

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Stacie http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-593 Stacie Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:27:29 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-593 If a person has compulsive anorexic tendencies it is not a good book to read. It really depends on how far into it you are, and the level of your OCD. Ana and Mia actually exist? I wonder what provoked them to start something so aweful... Why can't anyone do anything to close the harmful proana site? They are so damn convincing!!! If a person has compulsive anorexic tendencies it is not a good book to read. It really depends on how far into it you are, and the level of your OCD. Ana and Mia actually exist? I wonder what provoked them to start something so aweful… Why can’t anyone do anything to close the harmful proana site? They are so damn convincing!!!

]]> Comment on Inside the Sick World of Anorexia: Marya Hornbacher’s Wasted-a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by nicole jacqueson http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/inside-the-sick-world-of-anorexia-marya-hornbacher%e2%80%99s-wasted-a-memoir-of-anorexia-and-bulimia/#comment-592 nicole jacqueson Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:48:03 +0000 http://literaryaddict.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-592 i think that this writing is very powerful, and that bulimia is horrible i think that this writing is very powerful, and that bulimia is horrible

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