So, I figured it’s time to touch into another of those heavier topics. Like the post on men in ballet, and the prejudices we meet, the eating-disorder-problem is a serious topic, and I think it’s good to talk about it.

Many forums, blogs and sites on the internet has a tabu-policy on the topic, as it is touchy, and people relate differently to it. Although understanding why, I don’t necessarily agree – I think it’s better to talk about it. What I won’t do, is advice anyone to do anything. There are some topics where it’s better to admit: I’m not an authority. I’m no doctor, no nutritionist, neither do I have any personal experience.

Still, I think it is a topic that deserves attention. People in the world of dance, as anyone, really, should know about the disease, and share our experiences. In this way, we might avoid more people suffering from a disease that is so devastating for the ones involved.

So what are eating disorders? I’ll quote wikipedia:

Eating disorders are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual’s physical and emotional health, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa being the most common specific forms. The causes of eating disorders are complex and poorly understood, though it is clear that they are often associated with other conditions and social situations; for example, one study found that girls with ADHD are many times more likely to develop certain eating disorders, and another found that women raised in foster care are many times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa. It is generally thought that peer pressure and idealized body-types seen in the media are also a significant factor.

While proper treatment can be highly effective for many of the specific types of eating disorder, the consequences of eating disorders can be severe, including death (whether from direct medical effects of disturbed eating habits or from comorbid conditions such as suicidal thinking)

When thinking of the world of ballet, people often imagine that our ideal on the female dancer is creating eating disorders, as it can affect young dancers to become unsatisfied with their body. I think this is a one-sided statement. We don’t really know what is causing eating disorders, although it’s without a doubt that the environment plays a role.

Eating disorders are more frequent amongst women, but there are also men suffering. Again, from Wiki:

There has been an increasing number of males suffering from eating disorders. Among men the rates of eating disorders are higher in the gay and bi-sexual communities (Feldman & Meyer, 2007), yet it also affects heterosexual men. Despite the perceived stigma, some high profile male celebrities have publicized their struggles with eating disorders such as actor Dennis Quaid, who struggled with what he called “manorexia” for which he sought treatment. Billy Bob Thornton has also struggled with anorexia. Thomas Holbrook, MD, is the Clinical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Despite being a psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders, he suffered from anorexia nervosa with compulsive exercising. At one time the 6-ft-tall psychiatrist weighed just 135 lbs. “I was terrified,” he says, “of being fat.” His story has been chronicled in various publications including USA Today and People Magazine.

I find the last example intriguing. Why is it that an educated specialist on the subject finds himself suffering from the very disease he is educated to treat? It gets to easy to say it comes from a lack of self-confidence, or a bad self-image. Dr. Holdbrook is the proof that this disease is far more complicated than that, and cannot be blamed on ideals or expectations solely. That said, I do agree that the expectations in the ballet world are harsh. And we really need to learn more! Most schools and companies (not to mention private studio’s) has no or bad follow-up on the dancers, and teaches them nothing on how to achieve and deal with what is expected of them physically.

Eating disorders are found in ballet environment, as in all parts of society. It is a terrible decease that should be treated and defeated rather than hushed down and ignored! We are better than this! We are making art, and the dancer should be a healthy, glowing creature to look up to and admire, not a person suffering and torturing him- or herself. The only thing I will advice anyone to in this post, is to care! Care about the people around you! Ask them how they feel, and listen when they answer. If you have the feeling someone isn’t doing so good, say something, ask them how they feel, make their day better! If you know someone you think may suffer from eating disorders (or anything else as well, really!), help them get help! As I said: We are better than this!

I wrote a post on how to keep (or lose some of) your weight in a way healthier manner.

That was my two cents.. Have any additions? Post a comment! Take care of each other!

Until next time,

Ta-ta

H

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