- Experts say websites selling bracelets are harming those with illness
- Bracelets take advantage of seclusion felt by those with eating disorders
- Mental illness described as ‘lifestyle choices’ by many websites
By
Lillian Radulova
00:40 EST, 4 April 2014
|
01:22 EST, 4 April 2014
Colourful wristbands and ribbon badges are a common accessory for people striving to raise awareness and help find a cure for cancers and other serious illnesses.
But a new jewellery endeavor aims to do quite the opposite.
Aimed at those who are suffering with eating disorder, the new bright red or pink pro-anorexia bracelets take advantage of the loneliness and isolation felt by those suffering from the mental illness.
Eating disorder: These brightly coloured bracelets are being sold by pro-ana websites and have been condemned by campaigners
Sold by a number of retailers, the bracelets are sold for between £7 – £25 ($13 – $45 AU) and come in a variety of styles including beaded and weaved, to appeal to a range of age groups that suffer from the mental illness.
One particular website which describes itself as a ‘pro-ana website’, features a page titled ‘Red Bracelet Project’, in which it says: ‘Wear it daily or when you go out to secretly say that you are proud to be pro-ana or maybe even just to identify yourself with those others who are affected by this too that you have Anorexia.’
Anorexia, like other eating disorders, is a complex mental illness with the mortality rate for sufferers being 12 times higher than a person without an eating disorder, according to the National Eating Disorders Collaboration.
Although some of the pro eating disorder websites claim not to encourage anorexia, they do promote the serious illnesses as ‘lifestyle choices’.Â
Christine Morgan, CEO of the Australian Butterfly Foundation which represents and provides support programs for people with eating disorders, said the bracelets are horrific and perpetuate the illness.
“Oh god, it’s horrible. I think they’re terrible to the extent that they promote to the person with the illness “how to do it betterâ€.
‘It’s essentially there for them to remind themselves not to eat when they look at the bracelet,’ she said.
Harmful websites which sell the bracelets often also provide ‘tips and hints’ for people with eating disorders on how to continue limiting their food intake
Stock Image: eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with dire consequences. Sufferers can be any age and either male or female
Ms Morgan said that the nature of eating disorder illnesses lead most sufferers who constantly restrict their food intake, to seek new and better ways to do so.
Many of the websites which sell these bracelets also host discussion forums and tips on how to continue restricting food intake in ‘more effective ways’.
Part of the justification offered for the pro-anorexia bracelets is that they claim to identify people who may also be struggling through the illness or who are not judgmental of those who are, creating a sense of community.
Despite it being natural for people with eating disorders to look for support and somewhere to go to where they don’t feel judged for their illness, Ms Morgan denounced the bracelets as being detrimental to those afflicted by disorders, who should be seeking help.
‘These bracelets and other products being promoted as a means to be reminded that you’re not alone, plays to the vulnerability of being so ill,’ she said.
CEO of Australian Butterfly Foundation, Christine Morgan said the bracelets are disturbing in that they target vulnerable people for a destructive purpose
‘I understand that people with eating disorders want to feel like they can identify with someone and feel accepted, but what they are doing in connecting with other people with the illness is, they create a situation that focuses on the illness and not on getting better.
‘That’s the problem with it.’
Although the bracelets are a new concept, various versions of the pro-eating disorder websites have been up and actively running for some time.
‘These are sites in which people using them are saying “I’m not interested in getting better; I’m interested in being perpetuated.â€
‘Those who are interested in getting better will step away from these sites,’ Ms Morgan said.
Instead, the Butterfly Foundation encourages anyone suffering from an eating disorder who wants to reach out and speak to someone without being judged, to contact a trained councilor by calling their national helpline; 1800 33 4673.
The Butterfly Foundation support line 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or email [email protected]
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.
No-angel,
Wonderland, United Kingdom,
6 hours ago
I’ve had an eating disorder for 14 years. These bracelets are nothing new and have been around for decades. They were originally designed as a reminder to “stay strong†– not eat.
In my years online in these communities I’ve discovered there are 2 types of anorexic. The real sufferers controlled by it and those that want the illness.
A real sufferer does not need a stupid bracelet to ‘remind’ themselves of this fear.
Sick that companies are making money out of this.
Mychel,
Manchester,
6 hours ago
Oh please, they are a cry for help and anyone with anorexia wearing one is saying ‘Help me†and by spotting someone wearing one you could just save their life. People with anorexia don’t tend to want other people to know they have it, it’s not something they brag about. Nor is it something they can ask for help with. This bracelet helps people come to them, I only hope they are brave enough to wear them
StephanieJade,
Northumberland, United Kingdom,
6 hours ago
While the media can initially assume that those who are “pro-ana†are evil, we must remind ourselves that they are just as severely mentally ill as those with eating disorders who do not promote it. Not only is their eating disordered but also their outlook on life; they have conditioned themselves to think that people should lose weight, restrict etc etc and that it is the right thing to do. They can not think rationally and therefore feel like they are performing a service while encouraging other vulnerable people to not eat.
I am not condemning what they do because I do believe it is terrible and should be stopped but that should be by getting these “pro-ana’s†help so they are able to alter their thinking and behaviour and once again see life rationally.
ms Catholic state,
london,
6 hours ago
When Christianity goes out of families……all kinds of disturbing and creepy things come in.
thrashywacko,
edinburgh, United Kingdom,
6 hours ago
As someone who suffered from Anorexia for five years, let me tell you these bracelets aren’t new. They’re widely talked about on pro-ana websites and the fact this has JUST been caught onto shows how well these sites are monitored. These girls are so ill, I can’t stress that enough, and the reason these pro-ana websites are so popular is because these girls feel stigmatised by and isolated from wider society. Trying to force them to eat will not work, I recovered after recognising how debilitating the disease is and making the decision to want to be better.
Nimrod,
Middle England, United Kingdom,
7 hours ago
My daughter became anorexic in 2006 and it took 5 years to get her back to eating a normal diet. She still has food problems but is now healthy. Pro-Anna sites should be banned. The heartache that my wife and I went through seeing our precious daughter is not something anyone should experience. I just thank all involved in her recovery.
Fran,
Plymouth, United Kingdom,
7 hours ago
Yuk. This is awful.
mink1991,
London, United Kingdom,
7 hours ago
That’s an imitation of the Links of London friendship bracelets which have no pro anorexia agenda at all.
Frank,
Detroit – Michigan – USA, United States,
8 hours ago
I fight anorexia every day. Had a slice of leftover pizza, from last night, while my two eggs were being nuked in the microwave, topped with fresh made salsa and nacho chips for breakfast.
meagain,
Greece and UK, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
Pro anorexia? Sick. It’ll be pro obesity next.
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