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Reality Shows Head Inside Eating Disorder Treatment Centers
anorexia treatment centers
Facebook is on fire today over a new reality show Inside Rehab scheduled to air on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The program will go inside Eating Disorder Treatment Centers to follow patients as they go through therapy, and the ED community will have none of it. Heres the weird thing; E! announced a similar program, and the producers of The Biggest Loser are casting for what sounds like an identical concept of Inside Rehab. What is sparking this interest all of a sudden? More importantly, is this interest a good thing? Most of you have probably seen THIN, by Lauren Greenfield. This film is one that gets burned in your memory, I dont think you can forget it if you tried. Shelly from the film has been very outspoken about her experience and recovery, but tragically, Polly took her own life a few years ago. So today, I thought about what this film did for me. Did it make me more aware? Did it leave an impression of some sort that was worth what Shelly & Polly gave up to participate in the program? It wasnt until today that I really thought about the fact that cameras followed them around all day and night. When I imagine myself in that situation, it sounds like a nightmare. I dont think I could concentrate, or truly be myself, let alone try to recover from a fatal illness with all that hoopla following me around. I would say the documentary made me more aware because the level of illness in the patients were above and beyond what I experienced with my own ED. But, in hindsight …
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#2 written by secretlyhidden 1 year ago
I think that the american people are wanting to keep it in the closet. I also feel like this is an exploitation, I mean, since there are so many channels taking it up at the same time, they are obviously doing it for ratings. There was a show that I loved called starved, and I let it pass despite it being sitcom like, because it did hit a few subjects on the head. I think that people will watch these, and either become more aware of eating disorders, or…
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#3 written by secretlyhidden 1 year ago
they will decide that anyone that has an ED are spoiled brats depending on the editing technique that is used.
Another issue is those that actually suffer from ED, might be forced further back. If they get the strength to come out, then some might think that they are taking reference from the shows. There are many positive and negative connotations attached to these shows coming out. I will watch when they come out, and depending on what happens, there will be letters written.
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#4 written by Eshrimpski 1 year ago
Wow…lets watch the rate of ED go up…ugh…I can understand wanting to create awareness, but I don’t think the media is going about it the right way…I think we need to focus on healthy body image, healthy eating, and that everyone’s body is different….a lot of us with the ED issue may be drawn to watch shows like Oprah’s, but I don’t think it will do anything beneficial for us…
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#5 written by Eshrimpski 1 year ago
@secretlyhidden I don’t think American’s want to keep it in the closet…there is a definite focus on obesity and health with our new president, but I think that there has to be some sort of balance…I just hope the shows coming out don’t spur more trouble in the realm of eating disorders. I think balance is key…
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#6 written by arielleleebair 1 year ago
awareness is one thing. this whole oprah thing is another. i guess if the people agree to be on the show, it is their call, but it will create a lot of pain for other people and a lot of glamorization (whether that is the intention or not). I don’t trust a lot in the hands of the media, especially eating disorder awareness/prevention. sigh. thanks for the heads up. I did see this going around facebook today.
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#7 written by mandypants85 1 year ago
I totally agree with you. I’ve talked to a few of the people featured in ‘THIN’. I am actually really good friend with someone right now who was best friend’s with Polly Williams (who passed away). She told me that the whole camera thing and getting the followers in the ED community being overwhelming became the demise of her. It’s a tough thing. I want a place to go get help, and I have to admit that i’ve considered doing something public to get it paid for because the place
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#8 written by mandypants85 1 year ago
i’ve been to ‘Walden Behavioral Care’ in Waltham, MA was completely unhelpful all 4 times i’ve been there. It’s like an assembly line, and their PhP in Northampton, MA is even worse. I don’t want to trash this place, but it is a hard thing to look at.. recovery in the public because you can’t afford or don’t have the right insurance for good treatment…. i’m sure that’s where most of the shows get their subjects.
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#10 written by arrie25afl 1 year ago
I am neutral on this subject. For me personally, I know that when I have been struggling the most I often sit for hours watching shows on eating disorders. In a sense, I think that watching these shows feed my eating disorder. It’s a way to justify giving my ED all of my thoughts or attention it wants. So, I am not against it, but I also cannot find a positive reason to watch something like this.
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#17 written by OceanBlueSky1 1 year ago
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#18 written by Eshrimpski 1 year ago
Hi~ I have to ask you something! Jenni Schaefer who wrote “Life Without ED” posted a link about a documentary that some group is doing on ED and they say that anyone who participates will get free outpatient care…What are your views? I just got off the phone with one of the women working on the production and I have very mixed feelings about it…
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