September 27, 2009
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SuperModel eh?
How do models deal with self-starvation ( anorexia nervosa ) in their quest to be a super-model?
They appear to be successful achievers and appearance orientated; but is there a false body awareness? In their desperate effort to appear “perfect” in the eyes of others, do they ignore the complications they create? Has liberation become a directive to be “outstanding” among the females of the educated and wealthy upper classes? Do their actions justify supporting body image and concept for high fashion? Do they envision their own body as part of the ‘self’ or as property that they must exercise discipline over? Have they created, through self-starvation, an inner sense of competence? How about their capacity for satisfaction? Is this conditioning of their own body the source of depression, hyperactivity, inferiority, a sense of ineffectiveness and even self-hatred? Why do they push their bodies to the limit with excessive exercising and dieting just for a few months of super-model stardom? Is the money worth the psychological problems?
They need help!! Treatment for the disease of ‘anorexia nervosa’ involves a normal, nutritional habit of being aware of the fat content of their foods ( nutrition label ) and dealing with the psychological problems attributed to any gradual weight gain. They say that ‘rehab therapy’ can encourage the patient to become capable of living and to enjoy what life has to offer. Life’s conflicting tendencies, urges and desires can be brought into some degree of equilibrium. Walking a line initiates poise and balance governing our physical well-being. Control is an interesting term of reference bringing about a culture of quality…
Can you offer any other suggestions – it is a worldwide problem?2
Friendly Links: anad20@aol.com www.anad.org/ www.nedic.ca www.bodyimagecoalation.org www.rch.org.au www.edf.org.au www.edreferral.com www.eatingdisorders.org.uk www.something-fishy.org www.mirror-mirror.org www.bodypositive.com
1 British Celebrity Pics
2 ”Anorexia Nervosa: the Golden Cage” – Hilde Bruch, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry 1977
Comments (3)
I can’t really speak on regional modelling scenes, but I would say that, on the national and international level, anorexia isn’t really a problem. Those models make a living on their appearances, and as anyone who has dealt with people suffering from anorexia can tell you, anorexics have a very poor appearance. Their skin looks dull, their hair is like straw and constantly breaks, etc. Models going through something like that aren’t going to get booked. Most of the big-name models, as skinny as they are, are healthy. One name that comes up consistently when these discussions arise is Snejana Onopka. At her skinniest, she was still healthy. She had a balanced diet and jogged regularly. People suffering from anorexia aren’t able to do something like that for very long.
As for the regional scenes, I would imagine the instances of anorexia are much higher because they’re trying to emulate the supermodels they see on TV and in print work, but like I said, I really don’t have any way of verifying this as I don’t pay much attention to it.
Now, speaking about anorexics in general, what I’ve been told by a couple of former anorexics is that it isn’t about people they see on TV or what the media says is healthy or unhealthy. Anorexia was about control. They didn’t feel like they had any control over anything in their lives, except for their diet. They figured that if they couldn’t control anything else, they would strictly control what they ate. Withholding food from themselves became an addiction, then turned into a lifestyle. Both of them ended up going into rehab for it, and even though they’ve gotten back to a healthy lifestyle, they still struggle sometimes with it. I definitely think anorexia nervosa is a serious issue. Unfortunately, it’s a disease that gets looked at with disgust by a lot of people, turning it into a vicious circle. Attitudes toward people suffering from anorexia need to be changed. Too often anorexics don’t get the support they need; they just get insulted.
@hilton156 - Thanks for your imput. Why do you use a cheerio in front of an eye for your into picture?
@Rodeney123 - It’s just a negative of my eye. Now I can’t look at it without seeing a cheerio though, haha.