Randi just said bulimics like Terri "would rather be dead than fat".

[CottonBear]

This is so true. These people are so sick and have such a distorted body image that they puke themselves to death so that they can be thin.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[shrub chipper]

2. You're right

Husbands cause a lot more cases of bulimia than , say, parents do.
:sarcasm:

(are you new here?)

[wicket]

6. Do you smell something?

:evilgrin:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Is that pepperoni pizza?

[wicket]

13. Hahahahahahahahaha

:D

[Castilleja]

29. Heh!

cute

[Ripley]

3. And what would it gain you...

to post that kind of shit here? You signed up to DU just to post that?

[Drewskie]

4. ...

Well that's obvious enough... Don't understand why people around here post Rhode's statements like they're gospel, but they do it for some reason...

[Ripley]

9. Don't know why you posted that to me. n/t

[CottonBear]

14. I posted her comment to begin a discussion of an important topic.

This board is a place to have thoughtful and intelligent discussions about politics, the media and society and many other topics.

You made the statement that "people around here post Rhode's statements like they're gospel." I do not agree with your statement.

[CoffeeCat]

22. CottonBear--your post was very much appreciated...

I believe that the eating disorder issue in the Schiavo story--is just as important as the "living will" and "right to die" issues.

The media has almost ignored that Terri is in her current condition--due to an eating disorder.

I am grateful that you would bring this up.

It's very important.

Thank you.

[CottonBear]

28. You are welcome. I didn't know I'd need an asbestos suit today.

What do you think of post #17? I certainly did not mean to offend anyone and, furthermore, I do not think that Randi was being "mean" when she made the statement.

I apologize if I offended anyone by simply beginning a discussion about what someone else said.

[CoffeeCat]

35. LOL "asbestos suit"...

When I read your post, I took "sick" to mean that you were concerned about how unhealthy ED behaviors are.

It's easy for people to misunderstand or to misjudge what someone meant--on a messageboard.

God knows, I've been misunderstood a time or two--on a messageboard.

No need for an asbestos suit. :) You did a good thing by posting about this subject.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Go back to your own board.

[CottonBear]

10. Stupid trolls can't spell or punctuate.

That gives them away every time.

[CoffeeCat]

15. The ones who are the liars, are Terri's parents...

Terri lost a great deal of weight when she was a teenager and living under her parents' roof.

Terri's friends testified in court--that they witnessed bulimic behaviors (eating constantly, eating then going to the bathroom immediately, eating large quantities and not gaining weight, marks on her fingers, etc).

Michael Schiavo and her friends said they witnessed these behaviors --but didn't know understand the extent of her problem.

They were worried about Terri because she was drinking up to 15 glasses of iced tea daily to lose weight. Drinking large quantities of diuretic drinks (like tea, coffee) and taking laxatives is an eating-disorder behavior.

After Terri collapsed, multiple doctors said that Terri's electrolytes and potassium levels were out of wack. Electrolyte/potassium disturbances are hallmarks of bulimia.

Despite all of this evidence--the Schinders absolutely refuse to acknowledge that their daughter had an eating disorder. They won't even consider it. It's much more comfortable for them to believe that Michael murdered her.

The Schindlers are the liars here. Big time. They were in denial about Terri's eating disorder when she was alive and they remain in denial today.

Why would a parent deny an eating disorder? Because everyone knows that pain and dysfunctional family dynamics are the root of many eating disorders.

The Schindlers don't want to face their own role in Terri's tragedy. This is why they are behaving so reckless and selfish today. They are running from the truth--and in denial--and the circus we see in Florida provides a lot of distraction for these very dysfunctional people.

[meganmonkey]

32. Wow! Great summary and analysis!

I hope "Name removed" stuck around long enough to read it!

:)

[CoffeeCat]

5. She's right.

I certainly don't speak for everyone with an eating disorder, but I do know enough to be dangerous.

My sister has been bulimic for 20 years. All of her teeth were pulled when she was in her late 20's, due to years of vomiting. Her teeth eroded away. I'm scared for her. I wonder how much longer before something catastrophic happens.

There are also many bulimics/anorexics in my abuse support group.

My observations are that an ED is a coping mechanism. Like drugs or alcohol--an ED is like a cork on a volcano of strong emotions. Being preoccupied with food, dieting, binging, purging, obsessing--is a distraction. An ED is also a form of control for someone who feels as if they are spinning out of control. Try to take away the one thing a bulimic can control (weight)--and it's very frightening to them.

I've probably met hundreds of abuse victims who have EDs. Not all abuse victims develop eating disorders and not all people with an ED were abused. However, there are a great many people who were abused who also have EDs and other addiction--and they often hail from families where the father was an abuser and the mother enabled the abuser by denying any problems existed. The emotional toll is devastating--and an ED is one way to anesthetize and cope.

I hope EDs are discussed more, due to the Schiavo case. It would be one good thing to emerge out of this tragedy.

I worry about my sister so much.

[CottonBear]

12. Oh TwoSparkles, I'm so sorry about your sister.

I know you and your family must worry so much.

That is just awful about her teeth. I knew that the enamel could be damaged but I had no idea that the damage could be so severe.

I hope that she will improve.

:hug: :cry:

[CoffeeCat]

18. Thanks for your kind words, CottonBear...

I do worry about her.

Unfortunately, my parents do not. But that's another story...

Yes, teeth can be damaged because of the acid in the vomit.

It's sad my sister had all of her teeth pulled, has false teeth and has said before that her heart skips beats and she passes out sometimes--yet, she continues to do this.

It's just like what Randi said--giving up the ED is terrifying to many bulimics--even more terrifying than the thought of dying.

Again, thanks for your kind words.

I appreciate you bringing up this important topic.

[CottonBear]

24. You are welcome TwoSparkles.

I wonder how many other women die of bulimia and other eating disorders each year?

Perhaps the parents, the media and the protesters should direct their energy toward curing these diseases.

[Skittles]

20. I am so sorry, TwoSparkles

you are correct that ED is like drugs and alcohol to some people - it comforts their tormented minds. It's so tough on those of us who see the results - my brother drank himself to death last year and it hurts a lot. Don't stop trying to get your sister help and if you find it overwhelming don't hesitate to talk to someone yourself.

[CoffeeCat]

25. Skittles...thanks...

...for the nice words about my sister.

I'm so sorry about your brother. It is hard to watch someone that you love harm themselves, isn't it?

I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you're doing well.

[Horse with no Name]

49. Eating disorders are a hidden epidemic

and I wouldn't expect the elected ghouls and goblins to acknowledge it as the central issue in this case.
IF Terri Schiavo had never purged, Terri Schiavo would still be Terri Schiavo and would have been herself for the last 15 years.
Instead, they are coming into the play during Act 3 and grandstanding from that platform.
IMHO Democrats should frame this from Act 1 and target the eating disorder that was the cause for this tragedy.
There will NOT be any good coming out of this poor woman's life by concentrating on legislation that will in essence give the courts jurisdiction over the husband-wife relationship, but much good could come out of education on how to spot the ED as well as how to effectively treat it.
Emphasis should be on how society treats women as a whole.
Families such as the Schindler's who acknowledged teasing her and calling her "fatty" names while she was growing up, should understand that a young woman who is insecure will almost ALWAYS resort to eating disorders to fit into the rest of her family. Nobody wants to be an outcast or the target of their family's cruelty.

[animuscitizen]

50. You have tremendous insight

The way you described eating disorders as a coping mechanism, compared the problem to chemical dependency, and linked both problems to traumatic experience and family dynamics demonstrates extraordinary insight.

I am sorry about your sister. I know what it is like to love someone who struggles with addiction. It's like sitting on the edge of your seat, hoping that the person will find the means of survival.

[Az]

11. Er true ... but bulimia is a mental disorder

It comes from a distorted perception of one's own body. So this raises a couple of issues.

1) Terri doesn't currently have a mental anything. She's got no brain.

2) A mental disorder such as bulimia is no cause to unplug a person.

These kind of cancel each other out. So there is no reason to refer to the bulimia as a reason to unplug her. Its a bad argument any way you cut it.

[CottonBear]

19. I believe Randi's point in bringing this up was to explain how Terri

got into the PVS. She then discussed the testimony of the husband, in-laws and friends who stated that she said she wouldn't want to "live" like this.

I do not believe that a mental disorder such as bulimia is a cause or reason to unplug a person: it couldn't be, since she has no ability to think or feel.

[etherealtruth]

23. Touche

[jmowreader]

45. The bulimia isn't why they unplugged her

The lack of a cerebral cortex--literally, the lack of a brain, because what makes you you is your cerebral cortex--is why they unplugged her.

Bulimia caused her electrolyte levels to go out of line, which caused her heart to stop, which caused her brain to melt.

It's all connected, but "bulimia" isn't "the reason" two million fundamentalists are getting ready to storm the Bastille. It's the reason for the reason, if that makes any sense.

[Az]

46. My point exactly

Thus siting her bulimia in the context Rhandi was is rather futile.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sequoia]

34. Can I quote you on that?

Some of these posts are interesting, I would seriously want to know how she was treated as a child by her parents. Something is fishy here.

[lukasahero]

17. "These people" just might be members here at DU

Could you tone down the attitude a little? "These people are so sick" - are you expressing concern or disgust? I couldn't really tell.

Randi's right, but I doubt from the tone of this post that you have any desire to understand.

[CottonBear]

27. I posted with no attitude. I am concerned about the health of bulimics.

I feel that the unfortunate case of Mrs. Schiavo can lead to a frank discussion of eating disorders and the societal pressures that lead young women to take such drastic measures to be thin.

I went to school with an anorexic woman who nearly died. She was hospitalized for weeks and barely survived. It was an awful thing to watch. Bulimia is even more dangerous because you can't tell that someone has the condition until it is too late.

[lukasahero]

44. Sorry then

It's difficult to read the tone behind the words on a screen and, as I said, I couldn't tell if you were expressing concern or disgust in the way you phrased your postn. Yeah, I'm touchy about the subject - it's personal.

Let me tell you a story, if you have a minute. I had a bit of an "aha" moment one day when I was shopping for bridesmaid's dresses for a friend's wedding. I looked at the four of us girls trying to find a dress and thought we were all approximately the same size - really. The "aha" moment came when we got measured and I found that the girls I thought were my size were getting fitted in dresses sized 10 - 14. I was fitted for a size 4.

That was my reality - I was obviously smaller than these other girls and everybody knew it - except me. Are people like me sick? Yeah, I guess we are. Is it all in our head and something we should just "get over"? I don't know. I do know that what I see when I look in the mirror literally isn't what others see when they look at me.

Many years have passed since that day and I've battled worse than my low self-esteem and come out swinging on the other side of life. I am now fighting adrenal, thyroid, insulin, bone density and hormone problems that I'd never even heard of when I was a young woman starving myself.

This isn't a problem that can be fixed by telling young women not to care about being thin - it will take a concentrated effort and acknowledgement that our culture is also partly responsible for raising healthy young women and men. While it's great to begin these discussions, just wander over the women's rights and issues forum to see how far we have to come before that acknowledgement is likely to be a reality.

[CottonBear]

48. Thank you for sharing your story of your struggle with an ED.

I hope that your health improves.

You have helped to educate us here at DU about the consequences of bulimia and other eating disorders.

[Generator]

21. Randi sounds mean

I never listen to radio, so I don't know.

I know she tells it like it is mostly, very blunt.

But still-we bitch and moan about the privacy and human diginity.

So how the hell does Randi know anything this woman wanted?

Why circus mode it with these comments?

Maybe she wanted to live her life very much and didn't know the consequences (so many don't of so many things) of what she was doing.

People do all kinds of crazy things to lose weight. I don't think that means I or they want to die unless we become thin.

[freeplessinseattle]

26. what an incredibly ignorant statement (nt)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

30. Randi Needs To Read The DSM IV

There are many factors that contribute to eating disorders including a seratonin imbalance and society's unattainable model of what constitutes female beauty...

[Modem Butterfly]

31. Harsh but true

My best friend in high school had a very serious eating disorder, the side-effects of which killed her when I was in college. She was a very nice person, and I still think of her often. Randi's words are harsh, and painful to consider, but though they cut close to the bone, they are true.

[Az]

36. But how are they relevant?

Ok so she had a mental disorder at one time. Something that should have been treated but instead lead to her current condition. Yes if a picture of her in her current condition had been shown in public while she were around she would have been mortified beyond belief. But she destroyed herself with that disorder.

Her current condition is that of a vegetable. She has no mental disorders any longer. She has no mental anything. So the display of her current condition is only an insult to the memory of who she was while in her state of mental disorder. She isn't here to object any longer. Thats the harsh truth.

And a second issue is that her having a mental disorder is no cause to unplug her. If she was hooked to a feeding tube and was sentient her insistance to be disconnected because it was making her fat would be tossed out due to the mental disorder.

Refering to her stress as a result of her current condition sort of skirts the issues. It may seem to have relevance but it doesn't really connect.

[Modem Butterfly]

41. In large part because of the slander against her husband

The heart of the argument against fulfilling Terri's wishes is the alleged mystery behind her heart attack. The anti-choicers are trying to make it look like there's a mystery there, when in fact, there is nothing but a tragedy. By shedding daylight onto exactly what happened to Terri and why, we can do away with some of this phony controversy. It also makes the point that eating disorders are serious and require attention, lest one end up in a similar situation.

[Az]

42. On that I agree

There should be a shining arc light shone on this issue. She is the way she is today because she bought into this insane notion of how her body was supposed to look. But it isn't an argument to unplug her.

[drdon326]

33. For a smart lady,

that was a stupid thing to say.

[Lab2112]

37. I agree...

That was a stupid thing to say, and the height of insensitivity, too.

LAB

[DireStrike]

38. I think this is a swing-and-miss for Randi.

I heard her saying that, and not just saying it but repeating it. Not only is her bulimia irrelevant to the current situation, it seems like she's implying that the reason she opted not to be kept alive was because she was sick. This is not the case, and others could take it to mean that the only way to opt for death is to have your mental capacities disabled somehow.

[Freddie Stubbs]

39. If there is one good thing that can come out of this whole mess,

perhaps this will open people's eyes to the dangers of bulimia. They should show film of Terri to every middle school health class.

[Behind the Aegis]

40. Short-sighted

One poster felt that Terri's bulimia is irrelevant to the current situation. It is VERY relevant because it is what precipitated the current position. However, bulimics would not "rather be dead than fat." Bulimics cannot be skinny enough, but that doesn't mean they would rather be dead. It is a mental disorder as much as it is a physical one. Most people focus on the physical part and miss the mental part, and thus treatment fails. Randi needs to do a little more research on this disorder before making such a reckless and untrue statement.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mondo joe]

47. Actally, illnesses should be me with truth also.