NationStates Jolt Archive

i'm curious as to whether there's a general consensus among NSers in regard to the nature of anorexia.

It starts as a manifestation of stupidity. Whether or not it becomes a disease, I am not sure.

'Tis a mental disease, much like drug addiction. The victim knows what they are doing is bad for them, but cannot stop.

It starts as a manifestation of stupidity. Whether or not it becomes a disease, I am not sure.

The desire to be attractive is a manifestation of stupidity?

I put a lifestyle, but what I mean is, it's a set of beliefs that manifest in a lifestyle. These people believe that the result of their annorexia is right, and that belief manifests itself in the actual annorexia. It's not a disease in my book because it doesn't have a medical cause. (I'm aware depression is medical and can lead to it, but annorexia in itself isn't caused by any kind of chemical problems)

The desire to be attractive is a manifestation of stupidity?

Not quite. First there's the desire. Then comes the manifestation of stupidity, thinking you should stop eating, which may or may not becaome a disease.

And personally, I'm more intrested in Bullimia Nervosa.

But annorexia in itself isn't caused by any kind of chemical problems)

Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anorexia_nervosa) disagrees.

There is increasing speculation that the onset of anorexia has a genetic component. It has been shown that mutations in a certain gene linked to abnormalities with the neurotransmitter chemical serotonin is more common amongst sufferers of anorexia than in the general population. Such genetic characteristics might potentially equate to an easier path towards overly high serotonin levels, thus instilling heightened levels of anxiety and the like. Biologically, when a person is in a state of starvation, their levels of serotonin decrease, and thence increase again upon the consumption of food because of the tryptophan amino acids contained therein (tryptophan is used by the body to synthesise serotonin). This raises the spectre that the anorexic is conditioned into avoiding food to reduce his or her anxiety, and that there may be yet another layer of complexity with respect to the cause/effect relationship between physiological factors and the mental beliefs of the anorexic.

Blood chemistry abnormalities: dietary minerals and heavy metals

Victims of mercury, lead, beryllium and arsenic poisoning have been known to develop anorexia as a symptom thereof.

Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anorexia_nervosa) disagrees.

In fact, it disagrees twice:

A disease is an abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person.

the manifestation of stupidity, thinking you should stop eating

why is that stupid? it achieves the desired result, and the fact that i value my physical appearance over my health makes me incredibly vain, but not stupid.

The desire to be attractive is a manifestation of stupidity?
*tilts head*

Nieve?

Thing..

why is that stupid? it achieves the desired result, and the fact that i value my physical appearance over my health makes me incredibly vain, but not stupid.

No, see, not valuing your health, especially because of looks, is stupid, alongside vain. Not to mention it's probably one of the worst ways to get the desired result, not including binging, so it's also a stupid option.

Stupid no, foolish and entwined in the sociological idea that how we were born determines everything, yes. If human beings could get over looks, this wouldn't happen. Grading people, and ourselves, on looks, something genetically pre-determined from birth, is as bad as grading people on their race; they are both uncontrolled variables that are best left alone and truthfully, ignored.

As far as wether or not it's actually affected by chemical imbalances, I can't say, that data had never been shown to me before. However, I would rest assured that while chemicals may increase the likelyhood or effect of annorexia, it still falls to a personal decision.

Stupid no,

stupid

1. Lacking in intelligence. Also, exhibiting the quality of having been done by someone lacking in intelligence.

Anorexia? Definetly not intelligent.

As far as wether or not it's actually affected by chemical imbalances, I can't say, that data had never been shown to me before. However, I would rest assured that while chemicals may increase the likelyhood or effect of annorexia, it still falls to a personal decision.

It's still a disease, caused by a personal decision perhaps, but disease nonetheless.

*Points at DrunkenDove*

Wiki also lies.

I don't know what Anorexia is, exactly, since I don't have it. But I think it's a tad harsh to call it 'manifestation of stupidity' or 'lifestyle choice'. After a certain point, even the most foolish person would realize that starving oneself is a bad plan. I know several highly intelligent people, for that matter, who are/were anorexic. I and others have encouraged them to get help, and they seem to be doing better.

I would guess that it (anorexia) is a neurological disorder of some kind, caused by societal/social pressures and a somewhat impressionable personality. Now, that's not a value judgement ... it's hardly easy to escape 'peer pressure'. Some people are better suited to it than others.

No, see, not valuing your health, especially because of looks, is stupid

italics make your opinion much more credible.

Not to mention it's probably one of the worst ways to get the desired result, not including binging, so it's also a stupid option.

if you knew another way for someone 6'1" to weigh 120 pounds i would be willing to listen.

*Points at DrunkenDove*

Wiki also lies.

Umm...Where?

I don't know what Anorexia is, exactly, since I don't have it. But I think it's a tad harsh to call it 'manifestation of stupidity' or 'lifestyle choice'. After a certain point, even the most foolish person would realize that starving oneself is a bad plan. I know several highly intelligent people, for that matter, who are/were anorexic. I and others have encouraged them to get help, and they seem to be doing better.

"Highly intelligent people" can still make stupid deciscions, however rare they are.

italics make your opinion much more credible.

What? Don't like emphasis?

if you knew another way for someone 6'1" to weigh 120 pounds i would be willing to listen.

Assuming a 6' 1" person being 120 pounds is even healthy, diet and exercise.

Well, if you're talking about anorexia nervosa in the poll itself, then yes, it's a mental disease, and it's very taxing on both the person who does it to herself and her family and friends, especially if the person isn't willing to get help or doesn't see her actions as a problem.

Anorexia alone, on the other hand, is what my cat did before she died :/. Complete lack of eating and drinking, liver shut down.

"Highly intelligent people" can still make stupid deciscions, however rare they are.

since when do people decide to be anorexic? and why is having a different set of priorities than you stupid? some people value the wellbeing of others over their own health. some people value their religious integrity over their health. some people value the taste of food. i value my appearance.

Assuming a 6' 1" person being 120 pounds is even healthy

bad assumption. the minimum healthy weight for a person my height is around 140 pounds.

since when do people decide to be anorexic? and why is having a different set of priorities than you stupid? some people value the wellbeing of others over their own health. some people value their religious integrity over their health. some people value the taste of food. i value my appearance.

Ah, because, of course, your apperance is as important as the wellbeing of others. You must look pretty good for that.

bad assumption. the minimum healthy weight for a person my height is around 140 pounds.

Aye, I figured as much, but twas for the sake of answering the question.

Ah, because, of course, your apperance is as important as the wellbeing of others. You must look pretty good for that.

would you like to rank for me, objectively and universally, what my and everyone else's priorities in life should be? because you seem to think you know, and i'm rather amazed by that.

Aye, I figured as much, but twas for the sake of answering the question.

it didn't answer the question. i want to be emaciatedly thin, and the only way to achieve that is anorexia or bulimia.

would you like to rank for me, objectively and universally, what my and everyone else's priorities in life should be? because you seem to think you know, and i'm rather amazed by that.

Hmm...well, lesse. Do you like, eh, I dunno. Being alive?

it didn't answer the question. i want to be emaciatedly thin, and the only way to achieve that is anorexia or bulimia.

Well...Hmm...Oh, I know. Sucks to be you.

Hmm...well, lesse. Do you like, eh, I dunno. Being alive?

no.

*Points at DrunkenDove*

Wiki also lies.

If you see any lies, feel free to point them out.

Well...Hmm...Oh, I know. Sucks to be you.

Not very nice......

no.

*shrug* Alright then, chop off a few limbs or somthing. They weigh quite a bit. And, I dunno, kill yourself after that, stop wasting our resources if you don't like living.

Not very nice......

He wants have an unhealthy amount of weight, and can only reach it in an unhealthy manner. If he has some psychological need to be 120 pounds he can't get rid of, it really does suck to be him, and he should look into a psychiatrist.

I'm leaning towards disease.. Just slightly.

He wants have an unhealthy amount of weight, and can only reach it in an unhealthy manner. If he has some psychological need to be 120 pounds he can't get rid of, it really does suck to be him, and he should look into a psychiatrist.

not only are prioritized values objective, but standards of beauty as well?

not only are prioritized values objective, but standards of beauty as well?

*shrug* 120 pounds is unhealthy for ya, is that subjective? Your body being screwed over depends on the observer?

*shrug* 120 pounds is unhealthy for ya, is that subjective? Your body being screwed over depends on the observer?

well first of all, none of my doctors have agreed on a healthy weight for me, which makes me ever so slightly incredulous about their authority.

and secondly, i've already stated that i do not value my life or my physical health, and you have failed to provide me with an objective reason to do so.

well first of all, none of my doctors have agreed on a healthy weight for me, which makes me ever so slightly incredulous about their authority.

and secondly, i've already stated that i do not value my life or my physical health, and you have failed to provide me with an objective reason to do so.

*shrug* You don't have to value your life. If you really don't, I'd prefer it if you killed yourself. We're already on our way towards some resource problems that would be best dealt with through conservation. The best way to conserve is to be dead, but of course, people would normally rather live. If people didn't, they could just kill themselves, and that would help a lot.

*shrug* You don't have to value your life.

then how, exactly, does my anorexia indicate that i'm stupid?

then how, exactly, does my anorexia indicate that i'm stupid?

I guess for you, it doesn't. But death would still be better for all involved if you ask me.

well first of all, none of my doctors have agreed on a healthy weight for me, which makes me ever so slightly incredulous about their authority.

and secondly, i've already stated that i do not value my life or my physical health, and you have failed to provide me with an objective reason to do so.
What was their variation? (what was the top and bottom estamate)

And 120 pounds aint bad ... I mean my bro is 140 tops but he is 6 foot 2 at least (he wears 29X34 pants) he is a farmer that eats like 5 meals a day lol

Anorexia is one of the few diseases which I can absolutely guarantee I'll never get. I eat like a hypoglycemic hummingbird before a three-year blight.


Am I the only one around here who doesn't think that the most attractive women are the skinniest? Body fat is a good thing, although morbid obesity certainly is not.

Anorexia is one of the few diseases which I can absolutely guarantee I'll never get. I eat like a hypoglycemic hummingbird before a three-year blight.


Am I the only one around here who doesn't think that the most attractive women are the skinniest? Body fat is a good thing, although morbid obesity certainly is not.
Sorry I am a tiny girl fan lol (not anorexic) but either skini or petite ... but only if that is their NATURAL weight ... you can tell the difference

I have noticed a false assumption continually made, that beauty is the only motivating factor, its not.

If you don't understand how someone thinks, you have no right to call them stupid; you are in no way above them, or more intelligent, simply uninformed.

Anorexia is a choice, it can develop into an addiction, but it is a choice.

*shrug* You don't have to value your life. If you really don't, I'd prefer it if you killed yourself. We're already on our way towards some resource problems that would be best dealt with through conservation. The best way to conserve is to be dead, but of course, people would normally rather live. If people didn't, they could just kill themselves, and that would help a lot.
Not valuing your life may be a psychological problem, but suicide is never the right solution. People might change their mind later on.

Not valuing your life may be a psychological problem, but suicide is never the right solution. People might change their mind later on.

Never? Why's that? I'm sure there's a situation it could be benificial.

...you have no right to call them stupid...

Sure I do. I even defined stupid for everyone so they can tell when to use it best.

I have noticed a false assumption continually made, that beauty is the only motivating factor, its not.

It would help a lot if you bothered to inform us as to what you think the other motivating factors are.

Never? Why's that? I'm sure there's a situation it could be benificial.
Yeah but it is rare that killing ones self actualy fufills the goals that one sets out to acomplish by said task

Yeah but it is rare that killing ones self actualy fufills the goals that one sets out to acomplish by said task

Perhaps, but you can't just say never.

Never? Why's that? I'm sure there's a situation it could be benificial.
Nope. Even horrible mass murderers should try to be rehabilitated.

The motivating factors depend greatly on the person and the situation; no one is ever the same, however there are motivating factors other than simply beauty, if you want to send me a message i'll be more likely t reply, but its a personal preference that i don't feel the need to defend to the rest of the world, nor give my reasons for it, mainly because i feel that would be disrespectfull to other people that have spent so long hiding the things that have motivated them.

Perhaps, but you can't just say never.
Absolutes are imposible ... there are only probabilities ... that does not mean there are not safe assumptions nor safe bets

If it is 99.99 percent true that suiciedes are bad you might as well say that they are overall bad with minnimal excetpions

Some interesting new insights into anorexia have shown a strong positive correlation between anorexia and psychosocial as well as genetic factors. Studies have shown that often anorexics begin by feeling a total lack of control in their daily lives with not eating being the only thing they can control. It then turns into a habit that takes control of them. Additionally, there are some findings suggesting that there may be a link between anorexia and auto-immune problems. The only thing I can say for certain is that I feel a lot of sympathy for anyone suffering from anorexia or bulemia or any of their friends and family.

Absolutes are imposible ... there are only probabilities ... that does not mean there are not safe assumptions nor safe bets

If it is 99.99 percent true that suiciedes are bad you might as well say that they are overall bad with minnimal excetpions

*shrug* Kay. I was going for this guy in paticular. as far as I knew only he existed, I dunno of any relatives or people who care about him, he doesn't care for his life, it "sucks to be him", and we likely be better off with him dead as opposed to alive.

Nope. Even horrible mass murderers should try to be rehabilitated.

...Who said anything about murderers?

...Who said anything about murderers?Never? Why's that? I'm sure there's a situation it could be benificial.
Well, I assumed we were talking about any situation, and when topics of suicide come up, many people say, "Well, it would have been better if Hitler had committed suicide much earlier than he did." My point still is that even for people who don't value their life, suicide is not the answer because they might change their decision later.

I’ll be in favor of putting anorexics in mental hospitals against their will as soon as we start doing the same for any obese person who refuses to watch their weight, but that isn't going to happen. Too many fat people vote.

I’ll be in favor of putting anorexics in mental hospitals against their will as soon as we start doing the same for any obese person who refuses to watch their weight, but that isn't going to happen. Too many fat people vote.
The difference between anorexics and obese people is that obese people are making a choice to eat what they eat, and, as far as I know, anorexics do not have a choice that allows them to control their problem. Therefore, anorexics need the hospital. Obese people just need to make better decisions, something that they don't need to be in a hospital to learn.

The difference between anorexics and obese people is that obese people are making a choice to eat what they eat, and, as far as I know, anorexics do not have a choice that allows them to control their problem. Therefore, anorexics need the hospital. Obese people just need to make better decisions, something that they don't need to be in a hospital to learn.
Are you saying it isn't possible for a person to sanely come to the conclusion that they aren’t going to eat? Why? Because it might kill them? Fat people kill themselves by overeating.

I can’t accept that every person accused of having anorexia also has the delusions associated with anorexia nervosa.

Are you saying it isn't possible for a person to sanely come to the conclusion that they aren’t going to eat? Why? Because it might kill them? Fat people kill themselves by overeating.

I can’t accept that every person accused of having anorexia also has the delusions associated with anorexia nervosa.
Well, I believe that people with anorexia nervosa make the decision at first, but then it gets out of control because of a mental condition. If the person can control it by making a decision, then they do not have anorexia nervosa and do not need to be in a hospital.

and secondly, i've already stated that i do not value my life or my physical health, and you have failed to provide me with an objective reason to do so.

Easy. By not valuing your health you are making sure that any beauty you achieve will not last - and that you will in fact become uglier and uglier. Short term effect vs longterm effect.

The difference between anorexics and obese people is that obese people are making a choice to eat what they eat, and, as far as I know, anorexics do not have a choice that allows them to control their problem. Therefore, anorexics need the hospital. Obese people just need to make better decisions, something that they don't need to be in a hospital to learn.

Actually, many compulsive over-eaters have just as little control over their eating habits as an anorexic or bulemic. Although over-eating is generally attributed to general depression, whereas anorexia is often seen as self-image depression, the results are frequently the same: an eating disorder. Extremes of any sort are generally bad, and while I don't necessarily agree with hospitalization, I do think that they could all benefit from therapeutic intervention.

Tbh, I used to not eat or eat very little for the space of about a year. I don't know whether this is considered as anorexia, and there certainly wasn't a point at which I felt unhealthy, just lethargic. It wasn't until I went to the doctor and was measured at 5'9'' and then weighed at 8 1/2 stone that I thought that I'd gone a little far, so I stopped. From what I understand most of them can't stop. However, I remember my friends telling me I was reeeeeeeeally skinny and not believing them. Now when I look at pictures I can't believe the size I was. This leads me to believe that it's a mental disorder rather than a disease as such. I think another factor is that both of my parents are grossly obese, and I was petrified of ending up like that. It's sort of a lifestyle choice initially, wanting to be thin, NOT wanting to be something else... but it definitely metamorphasises (heehee is that even a word?) into something else. Meh... jumbled thoughts.

I'd have to call it a disease. It was listed as a side effect of some meds I was on a few years ago -- and I honestly did NOT have an appetite the entire time I was taking the shit.

Anorexia is a psychogenic eating disorder.

I'd call it a disease.

Plus, anorexic people are seriously disgusting.

Hear that? You're disgusting! Go eat something and stop looking as if you're going to fall apart any minute.

Disgusting!

Hopefully, if beauty is the motivating factor, they will consider starting to eat something.

I'd call it a disease.

Plus, anorexic people are seriously disgusting.

Hear that? You're disgusting! Go eat something and stop looking as if you're going to fall apart any minute.

Disgusting!

A person calling other people disgusting ironically is the objectively disgusting one.

A person calling other people disgusting ironically is the objectively disgusting one.

I don't really care either way. I feel that anorexic people are disgusting.

And I'm rather thin, so I guess you could call me a hypocrite *shrug* but I'm not anorexic, because, like another posted stated, I eat like a hummingbird.

Meh, I'm 6 '2 and 160 pounds and for some reason a friend recently told me I looked anorexic. IMO i dont look anorexic at all, I suppose it had something to do with him being fat.

I'd call it a disease.

Plus, anorexic people are seriously disgusting.

Hear that? You're disgusting! Go eat something and stop looking as if you're going to fall apart any minute.

Disgusting!

Hopefully, if beauty is the motivating factor, they will consider starting to eat something.

Anorexia, is not a disease in itself; it is often caused by other diseases such as stomach cancer or a fear of being fat (an independent psychological condition).

I don't really care either way. I feel that anorexic people are disgusting.

Do you often go up to sick people and tell them they're disgusting? Go up to a burn victim to tell him/her they're ugly?

Please, have a cup of shut the fuck up, and start acting like your momma should have taught you to act.

Do you often go up to sick people and tell them they're disgusting? Go up to a burn victim to tell him/her they're ugly?

Please, have a cup of shut the fuck up, and start acting like your momma should have taught you to act.

No, but there's a difference.

People have pointed out that anorexics do in fact choose at first, and it becomes a disease when it goes out of control.

Therefore, if they look in a mirror and feel they're still not beautiful, then if they want to become beautiful, maybe they should eat instead?

*gladly takes the cup of shut the fuck up*

I stayed up too late yesterday night >.<

Anorexia, is not a disease in itself; it is often caused by other diseases such as stomach cancer or a fear of being fat (an independent psychological condition).

Often? Stomach cancer is not the cause to anorexia nervosa. It may be cause for anorexia, but not anorexia nervosa, which is a disease in and of itself. (http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/diseasemanagement/psychiatry/eating/table1.htm)

No, but there's a difference.

No, there is no difference. You still act like a douche.

People have pointed out that anorexics do in fact choose at first, and it becomes a disease when it goes out of control.

You mean like victims of cancer? You go up to a woman who has cervical cancer and call her a whore? She chose to have sex and then contracted HPV, which gave her the cancer. Or people who are in car accidents - you go up to them and call them idiots? They did choose to drive.

Therefore, if they look in a mirror and feel they're still not beautiful, then if they want to become beautiful, maybe they should eat instead?

Thanks for showing you know absolutely nothing about anorexia nervosa...

*gladly takes the cup of shut the fuck up*

... and proving that this is what you should have done all along.

Often? Stomach cancer is not the cause to anorexia nervosa. It may be cause for anorexia, but not anorexia nervosa, which is a disease in and of itself. (http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/diseasemanagement/psychiatry/eating/table1.htm)

It is the same thing.

It is the same thing.

Common anorexia, i.e. as a symptom of some other disease, for instance pyloric stenosis or achalasia cardiae or even as part of cachexia, and anorexia nervosa, which is a disease/disorder, are not the same thing. The former has a physiological cause, and can be cured by alleviation of the disease it is part of, and the latter is the actual disease which cannot be cured in such a fashion.

What I'm saying is that anorexia is the symptom of lost appetite, often with the psychogenic disorder of anorexia nervosa.

Good God people!

have you read the DSM-IV-TR.. ever?!

It's there. It's a mental disorder.

It's not a lifestyle choice. dieting and healthy living are choices, a mental disorder is not.

Whilst, often, anorexia nervosa can stem from a diet, an idea to lose a few pounds that spirals out of control, it's no choice to become that way.

It's hardly a choice to be unable to look at yourself in the mirror because you've never been more disgusted with yourself. I's not a choice to sit in front of a plate of oiled peas and a square inch of stemed, skinless fish and not be able to pick up your fork, let alone take a bite. It's not choice someone makes to kill their body any way they can, not at first. It all stems from the effects of low self-esteem, and, ultimately, starvation.

the Keys experiment is a wonderfully excuted example of the effects of starvation.

(From http://www.eating-disorders.org.uk/docs/psychology.doc)

"In the Keys experiment it was noted that men who had no previous concerns with their appearance and weight began to experience changes in the way they perceived their bodies, paradoxically several of the men complained about feeling overweight even though they had lost weight and they began to experience critical evaluations of their body shape and size... "

Not to mention (though i kind of did) the psychological effects of starvation, the disturbed body image perception, and so on, starvation (anorexia nervosa, for example) has horrific effects on the physical state of the body.

Hypothermia, Ischaemia, Orthostatic Hypotension, Bradycardia, Arrhythmia, Amenhorroea, Osteopenia, Osteoperosis, Oedema, Atrophy, Digestive disorders, Seizures, Paralysis, Cardiac failure, DEATH.

Whislt, in Anorexia Nervosa, it might seem to outsiders (or the patient themselves) that the patient is pushing their 'self destruct' button, it's a lot more complex than that.

Nevertheless, it's not stupid. One can't help becoming ill. And statistically people with Anorexia Nervosa are of above-average intelligence. Most psychiatrr/ Pyschology literature will tell you that. It's a coping mechanism.

It's not a lifestyle choice.
It's nothing but pain and suffering.

I know.

<snip>

Now that's a quality first post.

What I'm saying is that anorexia is the symptom of lost appetite,

Thank you for the definition.

often with the psychogenic disorder of anorexia nervosa.

What you were trying to claim was that anorexia as a symptom due to a physical disease, and anorexia nervosa, were the same thing. They clearly are not. Hence why the differential diagnoses to anorexia nervosa are as they are - if you find an actual physical cause for anorexia and it improves when you treat that cause, it cannot be anorexia nervosa.

That's not what I was trying to say, I'm sorry if it came out like that.

That's not what I was trying to say, I'm sorry if it came out like that.

There is no other way to construe "it is the same thing."

It's not a lifestyle choice. dieting and healthy living are choices, a mental disorder is not.

While I'm not disagreeing with anything you said (beautiful first post, by the way), I would like to point out that cognitive behaviorists would disagree about mental disorders not being a choice. With regards to many of the less severe forms, cognitive behaviorists say that you are choosing to let your mind go that way, and the trick to getting better is to control your thoughts.

Not that this makes any mental disorder anyone's fault, it's just a pattern that developed and can be un-learned with hard work, patience, and support.

Good God people!

have you read the DSM-IV-TR.. ever?!

It's there. It's a mental disorder.

It's not a lifestyle choice. dieting and healthy living are choices, a mental disorder is not.

Whilst, often, anorexia nervosa can stem from a diet, an idea to lose a few pounds that spirals out of control, it's no choice to become that way.

It's hardly a choice to be unable to look at yourself in the mirror because you've never been more disgusted with yourself. I's not a choice to sit in front of a plate of oiled peas and a square inch of stemed, skinless fish and not be able to pick up your fork, let alone take a bite. It's not choice someone makes to kill their body any way they can, not at first. It all stems from the effects of low self-esteem, and, ultimately, starvation.

the Keys experiment is a wonderfully excuted example of the effects of starvation.

(From http://www.eating-disorders.org.uk/docs/psychology.doc)

"In the Keys experiment it was noted that men who had no previous concerns with their appearance and weight began to experience changes in the way they perceived their bodies, paradoxically several of the men complained about feeling overweight even though they had lost weight and they began to experience critical evaluations of their body shape and size... "

Not to mention (though i kind of did) the psychological effects of starvation, the disturbed body image perception, and so on, starvation (anorexia nervosa, for example) has horrific effects on the physical state of the body.

Hypothermia, Ischaemia, Orthostatic Hypotension, Bradycardia, Arrhythmia, Amenhorroea, Osteopenia, Osteoperosis, Oedema, Atrophy, Digestive disorders, Seizures, Paralysis, Cardiac failure, DEATH.

Whislt, in Anorexia Nervosa, it might seem to outsiders (or the patient themselves) that the patient is pushing their 'self destruct' button, it's a lot more complex than that.

Nevertheless, it's not stupid. One can't help becoming ill. And statistically people with Anorexia Nervosa are of above-average intelligence. Most psychiatrr/ Pyschology literature will tell you that. It's a coping mechanism.

It's not a lifestyle choice.
It's nothing but pain and suffering.

I know.

notice that i said lifestyle, not lifestyle choice. plenty of other lifestyles feature suffering and shortened lifespans.

the DSM has very little credibility in my mind since homosexuality wasn't removed until 1973 and it still lists transgenderism as a disorder.