Posted by Sarah S on April 7, 2003, at 23:06:12
In reply to Body image, posted by janejj on April 7, 2003, at 22:49:32
Well, like many women, I used to suffer from this problem, and at one point in my life I was anorexic. But I'm perfectly happy with my body now, for a variety of reasons. First of all, I realized that the problem lay partially in the sickness of our society, which parades anorexic models in front of us as representing the only "true beauty," and constantly tells women to diet. I decided to try and avoid these misogynistic messages as best I could, by not reading magazines like Cosmo and not watching TV. I also found comfort in books like The Beauty Myth, which analyze the problem in greater detail, and in supportive friends who encouraged me to stop thinking that way.But, even though the problem lies partially in society, it also lies partially in us--in the low self-esteem that allowed us to listen to those ridiculous messages in the first place. So I went on Wellbutrin--the only med that ever helped my body image problem--and got cognitive therapy that helped me change my negative thinking. What treatments have you tried? There might be something out there that can help you and maybe you just haven't come across it yet.
Being alienated from your own body is a terrible thing. I feel really sincere sympathy with you and I hope that you will feel better someday.
poster:Sarah S
thread:217280
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/217284.html