Brumberg, Joan Jacobs - Fasting Girls: The History of Anorexia Nervosa

[oyceter]

Unfortunately, this isn't so much the history of anorexia nervosa so much as the history of how it came to be thought of as a specific disease with its own specific pathology. That is possibly the only unfortunate part about the book, and it's mainly unfortunate because the author was very good, and in the end, I was wishing that the book were about twice as long (or three times) with the same sort of analysis and coverage that she directs toward the Victorian era.

Because she wants to understand why anorexia nervosa has taken on the form it has today, Brumberg traces back the origins of the disease and the cultural phenomenon of the fasting girl, starting a little with the female saints who claimed to live on nothing. The book really begins to hit its stride when Brumberg reaches the Victorian era and begins to talk about the many interstices of culture, disease, and the practice of medicine. I really liked how she doesn't claim to have the one single answer to why anorexia nervosa has become more and more prevalent. Instead, she is very careful to say that while a disease may be the same disease through history, and while even the symptoms may be the same, the manner in which the symptoms manifest themselves and are treated are very culturally specific. Anyhow. I was quite fascinated reading the gradual change from the view of fasting women as a kind of holy figure and fasting as a sign of their holiness to a society increasingly preoccupied with body image and with food as a symbol for parental care and for sexuality.

The whole thing was very good, but the postscript (added for the 1999 edition) is particularly interesting. Brumberg says in order to prevent the rise of anorexia, everyone must somehow fight it. Stop worrying about weight, about body image, etc. And while I think that's perfectly sound advice intellectually, I know I'm not going to give up wearing my pretty clothes or ogling at models. Or even watching my weight. Sigh. Thinking about my weight and the fit of my clothes and etc. has been too deeply engraved in my mind to not do it. And it also doesn't help having my mom telling me every single time how much fatter I've gotten, etc. Part of me doesn't quite understand anorexics. I like food far too much to ever not eat, and I have too little self-control. I suspect if I did develop an eating disorder, it would be bulimia. The other part understands too well the pressure of society and family and everyone to be thin and fit in certain size clothes.

Comments

[msagara.livejournal.com]

I think annorexia is a control-freak thing. You equate food with self-indulgence, you equate your self-image with being thin. Bulimia doesn't -work-. It doesn't make you thinner. So... all you have to do to get what you want is to be in control. Which means not eating.

There's a certain pride to be taken in setting out to accomplish something and being able to avoid all temptation. Carry this to literally suicidal extremes, and I think the right mind-set is achieved. It's not the "wouldn't it be nice if", but the "I'm going to make this happen."

The fact that it eventually kills you probably doesn't enter into the equation, and if it does, there are worse things than death.

[oyceter]

Yeah, I remember reading about that in some psych class. It's very strange reading the profiles of girls who typically become anorexic, because it very much resembles my own personality. Except I suppose I am not all that good at self-control -- it's controlling all other aspects of my life that I like better. I like treating myself to things, even though half the time I shouldn't.

[fannishly.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, especially the last paragraph -- I think you just gave me an "in" to talking about the bulimia.

I hope you have a not-too-stressful day at work today, and I'll see you tonight!

[oyceter]

Oh good... I was worried I was being insensitive. And yes, feel free to borrow if you want. Heck, feel free to borrow anything on my shelves ;).

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

>Stop worrying about weight, about body image, etc. And while I think that's perfectly sound advice intellectually, I know I'm not going to give up wearing my pretty clothes or ogling at models.<

I think one way to approach it might be to work against the conflation of thinness and beauty. Rejoice in the pretty clothes and the pretty people, but work at making our definition of pretty people a lot bigger, and make sure that pretty clothes are available for all.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

YES!

[oyceter]

Mm, yes, good point. And make sure people with hips and a bust and an ass can have pretty clothes as well (my pet peeve, since I can never find pants).

It's very hard to fight against at home, especially when every single auntie comments on whether you've gained or lost weight since they've last seen you the second they see you. And my mom asks me all the time after I've met old friends if they've gained or lost weight as well. She keeps commenting on how my sister has lost weight, how I'm still keeping the weight I've gained, etc. etc. too. Very, very annoying. I keep not answering her when she asks me and just claim that I don't notice, but she just. keeps. asking.

Grrr. And then she keeps threatening to take me to this place that supposedly helps you lose weight because she dragged my sister there (and she lost weight).

Sorry -- this seems to have released a flood of grievances on my end!

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

>And then she keeps threatening to take me to this place that supposedly helps you lose weight because she dragged my sister there (and she lost weight).<

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

That sounds very difficult to deal with. Gah.

[oyceter]

By now, I've just resorted to rolling my eyes whenever she mentions it on the phone. Le sigh. I love my mother, but she has some pretty weird ideas.