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Sing All The Earth's avatar

Thank you Prisha for your article on Self Harm Communities. I had some idea this was happening, but not to this extent. I am a woman in my late 50s and for 18 years I suffered greatly from Anorexia and Bulimia. At first I dieted and exercised. Then I starved myself; then I was hospitalized.At that time the general treatment was behavior modification and therapy, not drugs. After hospitalization I was still struggling with dysmorphia (and gender dysphoria because as an anorexic I hated my developing female body and wished for a body free of curves.) I became bulimic and this disease had me in its grip for nearly 16 years. It is very hard to say that. I tried therapy and even anti-anxiety meds (I was also suicidal and used drugs and alcohol.) Finally, I discovered OA (12 steps for anyone with an unhealthy relationship with food) and after 30 meetings in 30 days and then the birth of my son a few years later, I was free of the compulsion to binge and purge. Reading your piece has left me in shock. That could have been me, if I was born 30 years later. My life has not been easy, but I am so grateful for this life I have; for the body I have (even at nearly 60,) the people I love, the things I have accomplished. What can we do to help these kids? Thanks again for your witness and courage!

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Find Women's Land In The US's avatar

Damn. This is a hard-hitting read.

I really liked your comparison between veterans and civilians to parents and children.

I knew about these online self-harm communities but had no idea what it's like on the inside.

Keep writing! Your voice matters.

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