It’s too bad that I can’t translate some of the Breaking the Mirror posts into Spanish, nor can I read the pro-ana and pro-mia sites from other countries.  I’d love to understand what it’s honestly like to have an eating disorder in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, South America, Central America, et cetera. I’ve always heard that most Hispanic cultures are “into” curves on a woman’s body, but it looks like I’ve been misinformed.

Anyone who wants to educate me and Breaking the Mirror readers on what it’s really like to be a female of Spanish ethnicity is encouraged to comment!

Post from: Blisstree

Ana and Mia must be fluent in Spanish

In a quest for real, honest answers, I’d like to start a new feature here at Breaking the Mirror called “Ask Ana”. 

The premise is simple — if you have a burning question about eating disorders, body image, et cetera, please leave it in the comments section of this page -OR- privately email it to me at lemonpepr(at)aol(dot)com. 

As I receive questions, I’ll post them here for us all to discuss based on our experiences.  And if we need to get more professional help, I’ll seek out answers from professional psychologists, eating disorder specialists, doctors, dentists, whatever.

So what do you say?  What should we “Ask Ana” first?

Post from: Blisstree

Ask Ana

I’ve been trying to figure out how to determine how many anorexics and bulimics there were in the “good old days”, but there aren’t any solid stats that I’ve been able to find.  So I’m turning to you, the fabulous Breaking the Mirror community!

My question for today is simply:  “Do you know of anyone from your family tree who probably suffered from an ED?  Anyone who reportedly never ate or threw up regularly?”

It’s not exactly scientific, I know, but at least it’ll give us a starting point.  When I look through my lineage, I can’t find any examples of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.  You?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

OH MY GOODNESS.

YOU LOVE THIS CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK!

Post from: Blisstree

How many anorexics and bulimics were there in the “old days”?

Will you join me in making tomorrow the first day of a group effort to feel better about ourselves?  What shall we call our team?

(I’m serious about this.  Let’s do it!  There’s safety and support in numbers… and no time like the present.)

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrate your independence… from Ana

You see, I always assumed that it was because anorexics starved themselves to death and bulimics purged their bodies to the point where a heart attack or stroke was inevitable. 

But that’s not necessarily the case.

Instead, it seems many women and men with eating disorders die from suicide.  Many suffer from undiagnosed conditions, like depression and bipolar disorder… and without proper medications and/or therapy, they take their own lives.

This article from Psychiatry Online delves into the connection between suicide and EDs a bit deeper.

Eating disorders cannot live in a vacuum.  If you’re suffering from one, chances are that you’re suffering from other psychological ailments, too.  I know that I’m given to bouts of OCD and depression; I’m sure they’ve had a lot to do with my 20+ years of body image problems.

I urge you — if you have suicidal thoughts, please take advantage of any of the following hotlines.  Then, call a physician and start on the path to recovery.

There is life after Ana and Mia.  I promise. 

SUICIDE HOTLINES (U.S. only — feel free to let me know of your nation’s hotline and I’ll add it to the list):

• 1-800-SUICIDE
• 1-800-273-TALK
• 1-800-799-4TTY (hearing impaired hotline)

Post from: Blisstree

Anorexia, bulimia and suicide

I went to the dentist and discovered that my constant morning sickness (from five years ago) was enough to start decay in a couple of my teeth.  Now, half a decade later, two of my teeth are headed for filling-land.  Though I can’t prove it was my many months of vomiting that did it, I’ve been told by several professionals that it’s highly likely.

I can’t begin to wrap my head around what happens to teeth when you’re regurgitating day after day, week after week, month after month… for years. 

Post from: Blisstree

The “tooth” about bulimia

Alicia, the ultra-blogger who runs the site, has a listing of female celebrities who’ve publicly confessed to battling mental illnesses. 

I was most interested (though not entirely surprised) to note that along with the celebs’ depression, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnoses came many accounts of eating disorders.

Check it out and tell Alicia howdy!

Post from: Blisstree

Ana, Mia and Mental Illnesses in Celebs

Top Post for June ‘08:  If Renaissance Painters’ Muses Had Been Anorexic - This post almost always rises to the top, though I’m not sure why…  Still, I’m happy it’s popular!

Second Most Popular Post for June ‘08:  Is Death Really a Motivator in Recovery? - As a post that was written only a few days ago, I think it’s interesting that the topic area has intrigued you guys.  Should we talk more about it?

Third Most Popular Post for June ‘08:  Know Thy Bracelets – Red is Pro-Ana, Blue is Pro-Mia – This remains a controversial subject.  I don’t want people to think that all individuals wearing red beaded bracelets are pro-ana… but I do want to educate visitors.

Post from: Blisstree

Breaking the Mirror’s Top Posts for June… So Far!

I’m curious, though — when did you first become intimately aquainted with Ana (or Mia)?

Post from: Blisstree

How old were you when Ana (or Mia) became your friend?

Check out these celebs who have admitted to having eating disorders before there was a name for their problem:

CATHY RIGBY, GYMNAST

SALLY FIELD, ACTRESS

SANDRA DEE, ACTRESS

Photos Source:  Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Ana and Mia are nothing new…